BUSD News

August 11, 2023

First Day of School Around BUSD

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Dr. Drati and Mr. Diaz pose with students at MHS

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ILC Student poses for a 1st day of school picture

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MHS band and color guard perform on 1st day of school

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Students and families before back to school rally

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Press-Telegram Article on BUSD's New School Year

Bellflower Unified School District welcomes students to new school year

BUSD kicked off the 2023-24 academic year on Thursday, Aug. 10.

presstelegram.com

School Board Meeting Recap

Administrators and teachers from ILC, Washington, and Mayfair Middle School provided an update on the Dual Immersion Program. This informative session engaged students and their families, allowing them to highlight the program's benefits. The goal of the Dual Immersion program is to equip BUSD students with the skills to excel on a global scale by fostering proficiency in two languages.

Mr. Farrel, a representative from Dale and Scott delivered an informational presentation on the timeline and process requirements for getting a bond measure on the ballot to the board.

Ms. Swanson, who serves as the Administrator for State, Federal, and Student Programs in the district, provided an update about the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program at BUSD.

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8.10.23 - Dual Immersion.eng.pdf

8.10.23 - Dual Immersion.spa.pdf

8.10.23 - Bellflower USD Bond Presentation.pdf

8.10.23 - ELP Board Presentation.eng.pdf

8.10.23 - ELP Board Presentation.spa.pdf

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Welcome Back, Dr. Montelongo

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Dr. Angelica Montelongo reunites with Bellflower Unified School District as the new principal of Thomas Jefferson. With over 25 years of experience, she has a range of experience in education. She began her career as an instructional aide and most recently served as a principal for the past 9 years. Prior to that position, she served as a teacher, program administrator, and assistant principal supporting and assisting the Greater Los Angeles area and Bakersfield.

She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, Teaching Credential from Cal State University, Los Angeles, and received both her master's and doctorate from the University of La Verne. She believes all students have the right to high-quality instruction and a nurturing learning environment. She looks forward to working collaboratively with staff and community members to help strengthen community involvement, high academic achievement, and student engagement so all students can develop the skills necessary to succeed in the global job market. Dr. Montelongo strives to build self-confidence, perseverance, and a positive mindset in her students. With a grateful heart, she looks forward to supporting Thomas Jefferson, a school site she has previously supported as a parent and teacher!

Inter/Intra Permit and Enrollment Reorganization Update

As the district completes the reorganization process, we thank you for your patience and flexibility. While you await a response to your pending permit request, we encourage you to continue to attend the school you are enrolled at so your child’s learning is not interrupted.

On August 4, 2023, we shared with the community information regarding Student Enrollment and Reorganization. To clarify, only new students coming to Bellflower need to complete the enrollment process by submitting the BUSD online enrollment form.

Reorganization:

Students’ first day of school was Thursday, August 10, 2023. During the first few weeks of school, all new students will enroll at their home school. Should your student’s grade level reach student enrollment capacity at the home school, your student will be assigned to attend another school in the District. This period is called reorganization and is completed by the third full week of school.

During the reorganization process, home school students have priority to remain at their home school, pending space availability. If capacity is reached and your child is attending the school on an intra district permit they will be reassigned to their home school, pending space availability or you may apply for a permit to another school in the District. Inter district permit students will be given the option of attending a school within the District where there is grade level availability.

The District will provide transportation to any homeschool student who is overflowed to another school in the District due to their home school reaching student enrollment capacity.

Home school students will be given the choice of returning to their home school should a space open during the year. After the reorganization period ends, all new students will continue to enroll at their home school. If the grade level has reached capacity, site and district administration will assist with the overflow process. If your child is attending any of our schools as part of a school of choice process, that school is now their home school.

Inter district and Intra district permit requests: All permit requests, including pending requests will be reviewed to be approved/denied by district administration and school sites after reorganization. While intra district permits are being reviewed, students are expected to remain at your home school until further approval information is provided. Students will be contacted about the decision regarding their permit requests, pending space becoming available at sites.

Sample scenarios:

Inter Permit (grades K-5): Your child attended Craig Williams on an Inter District Permit for the 2022-23 school year. Your child does not need to complete a new permit for the 2023-24 school year and should report to Craig Williams starting 08/10/2023. The only reason you would need to complete a new permit request would be if your child’s permit was revoked by the district of residence for any reason.

Inter Permit (grade 6): Your child attended Craig Williams on an Inter District Permit for the 2022-23 school year. Your child should have completed a new permit for the 2023-24 school year as they are matriculating up to the middle school of attendance.

Feeder schools to Mayfair Middle School: Craig Williams, Esther Lindstrom, Stephen Foster, Thomas Jefferson, Intensive Learning Center
Feeder schools to Bellflower Middle School: Albert Baxter, Ernie Pyle, Frank E. Woodruff, Ramona, Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Intensive Learning Center

Inter Permit (grades 7-12): Your child attended Mayfair Middle/High on an Inter District Permit for the 2022-23 school year. Your child does not need to complete a new permit for the

2023-24 school year and should report to Mayfair starting 08/10/2023. The only reason you would need to complete a new permit request would be if your child’s permit was revoked by the district for any reason.

Intra Permit (grades K-5): Your child’s home school was Thomas Jefferson, but you submitted an Intra District Permit for them to attend Stephen Foster. The permit was approved, and your child attended Stephen Foster for the 2022-23 school year. You will complete data confirmation and attend Stephen Foster for the 2023-24 school year, starting 08/10/2023. If your Intra District Permit was revoked by the site/district you will be asked to attend your home school Thomas Jefferson, for the 2023-24 school year.

Intra Permit (grade 6): Your child’s home school was Thomas Jefferson, but you submitted an Intra District Permit for them to attend Stephen Foster. The permit was approved, and your child attended 6th grade at Stephen Foster for the 2022-23 school year. You will complete data confirmation and attend the middle school that Stephen Foster feeds into, for the 2023-24 school year starting 08/10/2023. If your Intra District Permit was revoked by the site/district you will be asked to attend the middle school for your home school for the 2023-24 school year.

Thomas Jefferson

Feeder schools to Mayfair Middle School: Craig Williams, Esther Lindstrom, Stephen Foster, Thomas Jefferson, Intensive Learning Center
Feeder schools to Bellflower Middle School: Albert Baxter, Ernie Pyle, Frank E. Woodruff, Ramona, Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Intensive Learning Center

Intra Permit (grades 7-12): Your child’s home school was Mayfair Middle/High but you submitted an Intra District Permit for them to attend Bellflower Middle/High. The permit was approved, and your child attended Bellflower middle or high school for the 2022-23 school year. You will complete data confirmation and continue to attend Bellflower middle/high for the 2023-24 school year starting 08/10/2023. If your Intra District Permit was revoked by the site/district you will be asked to attend your home school, Mayfair middle/high for the 2023-24 school year.

Pending Permit Intra District: Your home school is Thomas Jefferson. You submitted an Intra District Permit to attend at Craig Williams. Your permit request is still pending, as you have not received a decision about whether it was approved/denied. You should attend your home school starting 08/10/2023.

Pending Permit Inter District: You reside in Paramount, and your home school is a school in Paramount Unified School District. You submitted an Inter District Permit to attend Mayfair Middle/High School and have not yet received a decision from Bellflower Unified about whether it was approved/denied. You should attend your home school in your district of residence, Paramount.

Should you have any questions regarding your specific case, please contact Child Welfare & Attendance Office at (562) 866 9011 ext. 7410 or email Dr. Anita Chatterjee, District Administrator- Ed Services, at anitachatterjee@busd.k12.ca.us

Enrollment/Registration: The enrollment/registration process is for students who are new to the district. These students will need to complete an online enrollment/registration BUSD online enrollment form with the Bellflower Unified School District. Enrollment is not complete until you submit the Online Registration Confirmation page and all required documents to the school office.

Continuing students, who may be on an intra or inter permit only need to complete Data Confirmation by logging into the AERIES Parent Portal. Instructions on how to create a Parent Portal can be found at Creating New Accounts on the BUSD Parent Portal. Continuing students can work with their school to get assistance with Data Confirmation.

Click here to create a BUSD Parent Portal account

Data Confirmation: Bellflower Unified has moved to electronic student data confirmation. The school district requires all families to create an Aeries Parent Portal account to provide student data such as emergency contacts, health history, and authorizations. All families attending BUSD must have a Parent Portal account. All students, whether in continuing attendance or new enrollment, must have a Parent Portal account.

IMPORTANT: ALL FAMILIES must complete online data confirmation through BUSD's Aeries Parent Portal for the 2023-2024 school year.

Forgot your password? Reset it by selecting "Forgot Password."

How to create a BUSD Parent Portal Account

Data Confirmation Directions

Parent Portal Link

2021-2022 CA Pivotal Practice Award

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During the 2021-2022 school year, Lindstrom, Ernie Pyle, and Baxter schools were honored with the California Pivotal Practice Award. This recognition was bestowed upon them for their remarkable efforts during distance learning. These schools went above and beyond to provide vital assistance to students and families during an unprecedented period. Due to supply chain issues, the awards were delayed until June of this year. Congratulations to these schools for this outstanding achievement!

BUSD is Going FRESH!

Visit the nutrition services department page to see that 40% of our menus have been upgraded with freshly prepared items for both Breakfast and Lunch.

More information

GET YOUR GO PASS! STUDENTS RIDE FREE!

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BUSD began the Metro Go Pass program near the end of last school year and in just that short time nearly 500 students participated. The pass offers students the freedom of going anywhere, anytime on Metro buses or trains for free.

We’re offering it again this year to ALL STUDENTS that would like to participate. You can pick up the TAP card and activation code at your school site office then go to the BUSD website for information on how to activate your card.

There’s even a downloadable TAP App for your smartphone. Welcome back to school and Happy Riding!

Visit BUSD’s Website for more information

Download TAP App Directions

Wi-Fi Access for Families

BUSD continues to provide WiFI access for families that may need the support. All Jetpacks should have been returned at the end of the last academic year. However, if you still have one please be informed that it will no longer work. In order to continue to have access you will need to return it to your home school and support staff at the site will help reactive access.

Preschool Online Registration 2023-2024

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Bellflower USD offers a part-day preschool program at several sites. Our program registration for the 2023-2024 school year is available online. Our program is available to all 3 and 4 children who reside in the State of California. Our program offers a developmentally appropriate program designed to develop social, emotional, physical, and cognitive abilities in our students.

Program Types:

Free Part Day Preschool Program (*State Income Eligibility requirements apply)
Fee-Based Part Day Preschool Program
Spanish Dual Immersion (90/10 Model) Preschool Program

Sessions:

AM session 8:30 - 11:30
PM session 12:30 - 3:30
5 days per week
178 Days

Preschool Interest Form English 23/24

Preschool Interest Form Spanish 23/24

Transitional Kindergarten Enrollment 2023 - 2024

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Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is a FREE full-day program available to all students who turn five between September 2, 2023 and April 2, 2024.

The Transitional Kindergarten program offers students experience in a classroom setting focused on providing academic skills in a developmentally appropriate setting, to better prepare them for Kindergarten and future schooling years as a whole.

TK is available at Craig Williams, Ernie Pyle, Esther Lindstrom, Stephen Foster, Thomas Jefferson, and Washington. Sites are subject to change based on enrollment and additional TK classes may be offered at other locations/sites based on enrollment.

Transitional Kindergarten Registration - English

Transitional Kindergarten Registration - Spanish

Board of Education Meeting Information

School Board / Board Meeting Dates

All Board of Education meetings are held in the Board Room of the District Administration Building, 16703 South Clark Avenue, Bellflower, CA 90706. Regular Meetings are held at 6:00 PM on selected Thursdays. Special meetings are held at 6:30 PM on selected Thursdays unless indicated otherwise below. Closed Session Times Vary.

busd.k12.ca.us

Board Meetings Live Stream Link