VCUSD Insider

Dear VCUSD family and friends,

As the summer season approaches, I want to congratulate the Vallejo Unified School District for their effort in making this school year such a success. Each and every school within the district has made great strides in their accomplishments, reflecting the unique talents of the diverse students and staff that make our community special.

While my time as Superintendent of Vallejo draws to an end, I reflect fondly on the memories and milestones we have made as a district which will remain a hallmark of my career. Contributing to the opening of Jesse Bethel High School in 1998 was an early highlight in my 37- year career, providing a roadmap of innovation that supports students today. The district's Strategic Plan and Portrait of a Graduate have become the foundation of our very promising direction as a district to deliver the best possible education to students and service to families in this community.

As we welcome new Superintendent Ruben Aurelio into the new role, I have great faith that he will lead the district's mission with great success. I look forward to watching the continued progress of the district from a different vantage point, reaching its full potential to develop future leaders of tomorrow. I extend my sincerest thanks to the community of Vallejo, and to the students and staff I have met along the way for allowing me to serve as your superintendent. Wishing the best of luck to you all and enjoy your summer season!

Best wishes,

William Spalding

Superintendent

Vallejo City Unified School District

VCUSD's incoming Superintendent Ruben Aurelio has spent the month of May working with Superintendent Spalding and cabinet members preparing for the transition. Earlier this month, Mr. Aurelio visited schools and attended events across the district to familiarize himself with the community. As Mr. Aurelio continues to get to know the people of Vallejo, he looks forward to listening to the community's goals and desires as he moves forward to lead the district of Vallejo.

Superintendent Spalding feels that Mr. Aurelio "has the requisite commitment and compassion for this community and his mission, and personally and professionally aligns to the values expressed in the Strategic Plan."

Throughout Superintendent Spalding's tenure the district has achieved many goals, coming together as a team to transcend many challenges throughout an era of global pandemic, recovery, and societal turbulence. Some of the numerous highlights include:

• Successfully navigating the chaotic health and safety crisis of the COVID-19 contagion, providing for continuing daily instruction to all students online, developing and implementing robust safety and instructional protocols, responding to epidemic surges, and providing safe and sanitized environments through a variety of efforts and protocols, installation of equipment and materials throughout the district, testing employees and athletes weekly, and tracking infections;
• Development and completion of the first comprehensive, community-inspired district Strategic Plan, capturing and proclaiming the values, hopes, goals and determination of the school system, community, and Board of Trustees, and driving district efforts and initiatives for the next five years;
• Completion and actualization of the Profile of a Graduate document, derived from the Strategic Plan and driving school-to-school, classroom-to-classroom activities in support of assembling students equipped to thrive beyond graduation;
• Concerted and intensive efforts to provide integrated approaches to support student mental health and well-being through enhanced staffing, training, programs, and support through district-wide SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) and MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) initiatives;
• Robust, intentional, sustained and intensive efforts to drive improvement in academic outcomes district-wide with the introduction and development of Science of Improvement training for district leadership, refinement and monitoring of classroom implementation of Instructional Priorities and
• Deliberate and intensive work to move the district through the completion of its 20-year course of fiscal receivership, loan payoff, and continuing budget reductions and careful stewardship of resources so that VCUSD may emerge from receivership status fiscally independent and operationally viable;
• Engaging and partnering with city and community agencies and key leaders through 2+2 (the first ever), VEBA, VPD, and others to safeguard and enhance vital services and support to students and find common cause and collaboration for the betterment of the community;
• Partnering with community, county, and city agencies and organizations to sell and repurpose a closed school property to provide comprehensive, integrated, and affordable pre-school programs for over 200 children with wrap-around services—a model program opening in 2026;
• Preserving positive and productive relations, open communication, and meaningful collaboration with the district’s labor organizations, leading to labor peace and a recent, significant compensation enhancements to keep the district competitive amidst a pronounced labor shortage;
• Instituting important offices and staffing, many missing for a number of years, to drive improvements in professional development, data-driven instruction and operations, and district communications;
• Hired the first Public Information Officer and executing the first cohesive district communications plan;
• Implementing an integrated and visionary three-year master professional learning plan, as well as instituting an Aspiring Administrators’ Academy in order to develop a pipeline of home-grown leaders for schools and the district;
• Driving a successful multi-million-dollar, multiple school site construction and enhancements

project, utilizing Measure S bond dollars, to upgrade our school facilities.

VCUSD’s 5th annual Kaiser Permanente Empower Youth Summit served as a motivational experience for approximately 600 eighth-grade students across Vallejo. Renowned speakers in entertainment, sports, business, and beyond delivered words of encouragement to the students at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.

Overcoming obstacles, mental health, leadership, career development, and dealing with peer pressure were some of the topics featured at the event. Guest speakers like the iconic rapper MC Lyte, 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga, and CEO of 300 Entertainment Kevin Liles took the stage opening up and inspiring students with powerful messages.

The Empower Youth Summit was a great way to inspire students on a path to success as they embark on their high school career, supporting equitable solutions for college and career readiness. Thank you to our partners Kaiser Permanente and Hammond Entertainment for their support in making this event a great success to positively impact students at VCUSD!

The 34th annual Vallejo Juneteenth Festival is around the corner, with an exciting opportunity for a creative competition! Students across TK-12th grade are invited to unleash their artistic talents for the pop-up paint party to enter your painting for a chance to win.

Monetary and non-monetary prizes will be awarded with fun live painting opportunities available throughout the event. The event will take place on June 15th from 11 am to 3 pm, while the judging will take place from 4 pm to 5 pm.

VCUSD looks forward to seeing your art at the Vallejo Juneteenth Festival, located at 301 Mare Island Way, Vallejo, CA.

Visit vallejojuneteenth.com for more information.

The Strategic Plan provides a pathway within the VCUSD curriculum, driving our students to reach their greatest potential. The fourth pillar of the strategic plan emphasizes the importance of community, and the cultural competency of staff in addressing student and parent needs. One component of the fourth pillar is that the school is a resource for student learning and family education, growth, and development.

To learn more about pillar 4, check out our video.

Pillar 4-Community Centered-Education

Solano Widenmann’s Annual Leadership Day, held on May 8th, brought the VCUSD community together for a day of fun and enriching activities. The event amplified Solano’s “Leader in Me” approach, focusing on student, staff, and community worth and potential.

Families and students alike enjoyed the featured student performances and activities hosted by local businesses, non-profits, and volunteers on campus. Games and matches ranging from basketball to hockey and volleyball took place in the gymnasium, generating excitement throughout the crowd. Each classroom featured different activities, including games and art projects to invoke creativity and camaraderie across the school.

The well attended event was a highlight of the spring season, uniting the community in celebration to enjoy the student inspired activities, projects, exhibitions and performances.

Vallejo native David Estrada has made great strides since his days as a VCUSD student, influencing the tech and legal realms. Estrada has made major contributions to high-profile companies, playing a crucial role as the second attorney at YouTube in 2006. During his time at Google X, Estrada's work led to the development of the first state-level autonomous vehicle regulations in Nevada, Florida, and California. Innovative transportation solutions are at the center of many of Estrada's achievements, including early development of Lyft, the Flyer, and Bird Rides Inc. His aim to make positive societal changes includes his philanthropic involvement in organizations such as the Berkeley Law Opportunity Program.

The board recognized the hard work and achievements of the district's employees of the year, including administrator, classified, and certificated employees. Administrator of the year, Rosa Loza has been with the district since 2000, serving in a variety of leadership positions. Her extensive experience with the district includes working with the accounting department, serving as the director of finance, and as the Chief Business Officer.

Certificated employee and teacher of the year Wardlaw Elementary teacher Amanda Banguerel, has been with district since 2001, creating meaningful learning experiences along the way. From serving as a math coach for teachers, to using empathy, kindness, and inclusivity to collaborate with staff and students, Amanda creates pathways for excellence.

Classified employee Ruby Nera, Student Nutrition Services Assistant 1 has been with district since 2002. Ruby's commitment to improving student nutrition and wellbeing is evidenced throughout her time at VCUSD.

Jesse Bethel High School hosted their 2nd annual mental health awareness lunch event, highlighting the bilingual mental health resources the school provides.

Local agencies and organizations joined the community, informing students and reducing the stigma surrounding the discussion and treatment of mental health. Students were encouraged to get hands-on, filling the entire quad floor with chalk-drawn messages of support and positivity. The event had a great turnout, engaging students with valuable information and tools to elevate mental health.

Thank you to the many agencies in attendance, which includes: Seneca, ALDEA/SUDS, Safe Quest, Community Health Outreach Worker, LGBTQ Minus Tobacco, Solano Community College, Voices Youth Center Solano, Fighting Back Partnership, Solano Community College, Voices Youth Center Solano, Fighting Back Partnership, SCOE teams.

Are you signed up for ParentSquare? ParentSquare serves as a unified communication platform, connecting messages from your student's teacher to updates from the Vallejo City Unified School District. From essential classroom activities to weekly messages from the principal, it's a comprehensive tool for school-related information. Additionally, it functions as a mass notification system during emergencies.

You can sign up on a computer or find it easily on your phone via the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Make sure that your student's front office has your correct email on file because that is the email you will use to sign up.

Do you know a VCUSD teacher, staff, or student who deserves a "high five?" This person could have been helpful when working with a family, a student who is excelling in the classroom, or a staffer who helped a child having a hard day. Whatever it is, we want to celebrate them! Fill out our nomination form and see if your nominee is mentioned on social media or the VCUSD Insider newsletter!

Strategic Plan Mapping--Pillar 2: Safe and Supportive Learning Environments, Pillar 3: Vibrant Culture of Teaching and Learning, Pillar 4: Community-Centered Education.

The commencement ceremony dates are set for Hogan Middle School, Jesse Bethel High School, John Finney High School, Vallejo Adult School, and Vallejo High School.

Hogan Middle

Thursday, June 6, 2024

9 a.m.

Hogan Middle School Big Gym

John Finney High School

Thursday, June 6, 2024
11 a.m.

Corbus Field

Jesse Bethel High School

Friday, June 7, 2024

9 a.m.

Corbus Field

Vallejo High School

Friday, June 7, 2024

1 p.m.

Corbus Field

Vallejo Adult School

Thursday, June 13, 2024

9 a.m.

John Finney Education Complex Amphitheater

For more information, please visit the District calendar.

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