District Newsletter
Santa and His Helpers Visit Michelle Obama School
Every year, WCCUSD departments volunteer in the Secret Santa program, where staff adopt a kindergarten class and give students gifts before school closes for the Holiday Break.
Business Services, Facilities & Operations, and Educational Services staff members teamed up with Santa to travel to Michelle Obama Elementary School this year.
Thanks to Central Office staff donations, Santa(Superintendent Hurst) and his helpers delivered gifts to all 89 children in Michelle Obama School’s Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten classrooms!
Kwanzaa Celebrations Across our District
On December 12, DeJean Middle School held its Kwanzaa Celebration, a time meant for families and communities to come together to honor, acknowledge, and celebrate African American culture. The ceremony started with libations to honor ancestors, followed by the African American National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” sung by the Office Of African American Student Achievement (OAASA) Coordinator John Cable.
The community enjoyed performances from Richmond High School students and Black Student Union(BSU) members Neveah Poe and Kiah Ice, and the African American Parent Advisory Committee and BSU awarded OAASA School Community Outreach Worker Juanita Towns and RHS parent Zelon Harrison champion awards in recognition for all the work they do for students in WCCUSD.
DeJean was one of many school sites to celebrate Kwanzaa. School sites across our District hosted a celebration for families, including Mira Vista, King Elementary, Montalvin K8 School, and more! Learn more about Kwanzaa here.
DeJean Middle School hosts Affordable Connectivity Program Enrollment Event for Families
On December 12, DeJean Middle School partnered with The Tech Exchange and Next Gen California to host an Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) enrollment event. The event aimed to provide affordable internet access to families who signed up for the program, and it was a huge success.
Principal Valdez, DeJean staff, and IT Director Tracey Logan attended the event along with special guest Senator Nancy Skinner, who shared remarks about the importance of digital equity in the region and the ongoing need for affordable internet access.
Families who attended the event had the opportunity to sign up for the ACP and enter a raffle to win 5-10 free devices. The event was a great chance for families to get connected to the internet and enjoy the numerous benefits that come with it.
We thank The Tech Exchange, NextGen California, and DeJean Middle School for hosting this fantastic event to help bridge the digital divide and promote digital equity in WCCUSD.
It’s a Winter Wonderland at Dover Elementary School
Dover Elementary recently hosted its first Dover Winter Wonderland Performances in over three years, bringing together students, family, friends, and staff to celebrate the holiday season. The event was a grand success, with each grade from Kindergarten through 6th participating in the celebration by singing classic Christmas carols.
The performances were nothing short of impressive. Mrs. Valentin’s Kindergarten DLI class performed “Lift Me Up” using American Sign Language, while Mrs. Melero’s 3rd grade class sang “El Burrito Sabanera”. Mrs. MacLean’s 6th grade DLI class caroled to “Play”. The event ended with a surprise performance by the Dover moms and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
UC Berkeley Athletics and Grant Elementary School Partner to Promote Early Literacy and Reading
The Athletic Department of UC Berkeley collaborated with Principal Farnaz Heydari and Grant Elementary School to promote early literacy and reading this year. Cal Athletics, committed to supporting communities equitably, donated funds to purchase books for a 6th grade classroom. Cal’s Community Engagement Specialist and Student Development Advisor, Taylor Perez, delivered the books to the 6th graders at Grant. Students were thrilled about the visit and eager to read the books. You can watch the video highlights of the book donation below.
Nominate Outstanding Educators for the 36th Teaching Excellence Awards
The Ed Fund invites you to take a moment to celebrate and recognize the outstanding educators who make a difference within the West Contra Costa Unified School District. Your input is invaluable in helping us identify and honor educators who go above and beyond, shaping the future of our students. Take this opportunity to contribute to the recognition of outstanding teaching and the dedication of those who inspire and lead in our classrooms. We need your help in selecting educators for our 36th cohort! Please use this link to submit your nomination(s) online by January 9, 2024.
El Cerrito High School's Black Student Union Hosts Project Santa at Fairmont Elementary School
El Cerrito High School’s Black Student Union recently held its second “Project Santa” event at Fairmont Elementary School, bringing joy and assistance to the young students. The event included the distribution of gifts, playing with the children, and helping them with their classwork and projects. We thank the El Cerrito Black Student Union for their dedication to the school community.
Richmond High School Hosts Annual Special Olympics Soccer Event
The 2nd Special Olympics Schools Partnership Soccer Event took place at Richmond High School on Friday, December 8, 2023. Athletes from fourteen schools, including Bayview, Collins, Downer, Ellerhorst, Fairmont, Highland, King, Lupine Hills, Mira Vista, Murphy, Riverside, Shannon, Tara Hills, and Valley View, participated in the day’s events. Approximately 200 students from grades 4, 5, and 6 with moderate to severe disabilities and 25 General Education peers were present at this incredible event.
The opening ceremony began with Richmond’s band playing music for the Parade of Schools, which took a walk around the track. The games were officially declared open, and the athletes enjoyed showing off their skills while experiencing the thrill of competition. Valley View, Collins, King, Riverside, and Shannon brought unified teams to the event. At the closing ceremony, all athletes were congratulated on their efforts and were awarded ribbons.
The event was a great success, with many students and adults expressing their eagerness to participate in next year’s event. The event’s excitement was evident on the athletes’ smiling faces, and everyone thanked the coaches, students, and volunteers who made this event possible.
Two El Cerrito High School Student Athletes Commit to College Baseball Scholarships
El Cerrito High School is celebrating the recent commitment of two of its senior students to baseball scholarships. Matthew Barnes II and Demetriz’ DJ’ Lewis have played for the school’s team since their freshman year and have demonstrated unwavering dedication to the sport. Barnes has committed to the University of California, Davis, while Lewis has committed to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Despite the rigorous training schedule of these student-athletes, they have maintained an excellent academic standing, which is a testament to their work ethic and commitment to achieving their goals. The school administration is proud of their achievements and congratulates them on their scholarship commitments.
As they embark on the next chapter of their journey as student-athletes, we wish them all the best. You can watch their Baseball Signage highlight below.
