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Monday Message

Information for ABCUSD teachers and staff

MondayMessageInformation for ABCUSD teachers and staff

December 19, 2022 December 19, 2022

Superintendent's Message

Dear Colleagues,


Happy holidays, colleagues! If you’re like me, you probably feel like the school year just started, yet here we are at the winter break. This school year is moving very quickly. In fact, we are at about the halfway point.


As I think about this school year and my visits to our schools, I’m reminded about why it is we do what we do - educate children. Our “industry” is unlike any other. We don't manufacture goods like cars. We don’t sell goods or services like Amazon. We don’t offer consumer services like a law firm. What we do is much more important than any of those industries. In fact, those industries wouldn’t exist without what we do. We teach and support children.


So, as you leave for winter break to spend time with family and loved ones, please take time to reflect on the importance our collective work has on our nation. I know you are probably tired and weary, which is to be expected when you work as hard as we do; but, like most things worth doing, our work is both challenging and rewarding. May you get rest over the break and come back recharged to do all we can for our students.


Thank you, and I wish you all a happy holiday season.


Sincerely,


Toan Nguyen

Interim Superintendent

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Board of Education Selects New Officers

The ABCUSD Board of Education selected new officers and swore in recently elected members at the December 13, 2022, regular meeting. Board members Ernie Nishii, Dr. Olga Rios, and Soo Yoo were welcomed back and sworn in after having been recently reelected. The Board then selected Brad Beach to serve as President, Sophia Tse as Vice President, and Ernie Nishii as Clerk for the coming year.

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Free COVID-19 Tests

The federal government is again offering free test kits at covidtests.gov. Four tests are offered per household.
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Gahr STEAM Day

Last week, Gahr High School welcomed sixth-grade students from Burbank, Juarez, and Niemes Elementary Schools for STEAM Day. The sixth-graders get to learn about the CTE pathways and school clubs and get a tour of the campus, so they are better prepared to attend the school after middle school. Before touring the campus, students worked on physics experiments, art projects, and cultural activities in the gym. It’s safe to say that these future Gladiators are excited about attending Gahr.
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CHiPs for Kids Donates Toys

Thank you to the California Highway Patrol from the Santa Fe Springs station for donating toys to ABCUSD students in need. About 500 toys were donated through the CHiPs for Kids Toy Drive, which provides toys to those children in need during the holiday. ABC Cares will distribute the toys to homeless, foster youth, and low-income students.
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Bragg Students Raise Funds for Students in Africa

The Bragg Green Team has a mission to change the world. They recently sold succulent plants to raise money to buy shoes for students in Abuja, Nigeria. Life isn’t easy in Abuja with terrorist attacks and disastrous flooding. Shoes and other items are urgently needed, and the Green Team answered the call by selling enough succulents to buy nearly 280 pairs of shoes.
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Gonsalves Elementary on KABC7

Were those Gonsalves Grizzlies you saw on KABC7 TV’s Spark of Love toy drive at the Los Cerritos Center mall? The school’s student council organized a holiday toy drive to brighten the season. They collected more than 260 toys and delivered them at the Spark of Love collection event. Principal Mr. Benko and students were interviewed and appeared on the morning news. Great job, Grizzlies!

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Connect with EASE

The December issue of Connect with EASE, LACOE’s employee assistance newsletter, is available. This issue covers a variety of helpful information, including the feature article “Boundaries for Holiday Peace” and information about the upcoming workshop called “How to Create Work-Life Balance.” Those needing confidential assistance may call EASE at 1-800-882-1341.
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County Chief Academic Officer Visits ABC Migrant Ed

Mr. Ruben Valles, the Chief Academic Officer for the L.A. County Office of Education, visited the ABCUSD Migrant Education Saturday School Program last weekend. ABC’s Migrant Education program is one of the largest in the state, is a model program, and the Saturday School program gives students academic support.
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Congrats to the Artesia Band

The Artesia marching band and color guard have been busy over the past few weeks, helping to celebrate the holidays in Baldwin Park and Pomona parades. They recently took first place in back-to-back events, and the color guard also earned high marks. Congratulations to Drum Majors Angela Baragan and Ashley Delgado, who were recognized for outstanding mace and military baton routines.

December 12, 2022 Board Meeting Recap

The ABCUSD Board of Education took the following actions at the December 12, 2022, regular meeting:


  • Approved community member and student appointments to Board Advisory Committees

  • Ratified the District’s grant application submitted for the School COVID Prevention Partnership program for the 2022-2023 school year

  • Nominated Board Member [NAME] to serve on the California School Boards Association Delegate Assembly

  • Adopted the calendar of Board meetings for the 2023 calendar year

  • Adopted Resolution 22-42 acknowledging January 23-27, 2023, as the Great Kindness Challenge Week

  • Approved Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 5141.21 - Administering Medication and Monitoring Health Conditions to allow for the anti-overdose medication Narcan to be used at schools

  • Conducted a Public Hearing and approved Resolution 22-43 authorizing the granting of a partial fee acquisition and temporary construction easement to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for the expansion of the 91 Freeway

  • Approved a contract for a compensation study with Ewing Human Resources Services for the 2022-2023 school year

  • Approved a request to contract with Advantage Communications, Inc. to provide speech and debate enrichment classes to students in the ABC EXCELS expanded learning and after-school programs for the 2022-2023 school year

  • Approved a request to contract with Scratch DJ Academy LLC to provide visual and performing arts activities for students in the ABC EXCELS programs at Aloha, Cerritos, and Melbourne Elementary Schools for the 2022-2023 school year

  • Approved a request to contract with Bollywood dance choreographer and dancer Nakul Dev Mahajan to provide Bollywood dance enrichment classes for students in the ABC EXCELS programs at Bragg, Burbank, Carver, Elliott, Furgeson, Gonsalves, Hawaiian, Juarez, Kennedy, Leal, Niemes, Nixon, Palms, Stowers, Willow, and Wittmann Elementary Schools for the 2022-2023 school year

  • Approved the First Interim Report for the 2022-2023 fiscal year with a positive certification and budget adjustments as reflected in the report

  • Approved RFP ABC-1599 to Leadership Associates for superintendent search services

  • Approved Bid Award ABC-1602 Interim Classroom Portables to William Scotsman as the lowest responsible bidder
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Calendar

December:

23 - January 6, 2023 - Winter Break


January:

16 - MLK Day (No School)

17 - Board Meeting

19 - First Semester/Second Quarter Ends (Secondary Schools)

20 - Student Free Day (Secondary Schools)

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