District Newsletter

Dear WCCUSD Community,

As we wrap up our third week of school, I want to share my heartfelt appreciation for the strong start we’ve had together. Thank you all for your dedication and support. I hope you find time to enjoy a well-deserved and restful weekend.

This week, we are proud to celebrate Vista Virtual Academy teacher Kaitlin Marchesi and Montalvin K8 teacher Zsarleen Posadas, our WCCUSD Teachers of the Year, who were selected to participate in the county competition. Both were honored at the Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year ceremony last evening. I am especially pleased to congratulate Kaitlin Marchesi, who was named County Teacher of the Year and will advance to the state level. Kaitlin and Zsarleen exemplify the dedication and quality of our educators, and we are honored to have them represent WCCUSD.

I also want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who has participated in our community listening sessions. These first four sessions have been filled with valuable feedback and meaningful engagement, and I am deeply grateful for the community’s willingness to share their voices. As part of the first 30 days of our 100-day plan, these sessions are a cornerstone of our commitment to listening and building a strong foundation together.

I encourage all members of our community, regardless of which trustee area you reside in, to join our final listening session on September 9th at Pinole Valley High School, either in person or virtually. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to come together as one community and continue to shape our shared vision.

In the spirit of “We Are One West Contra Costa,” let us remain “All In, Every Day” by supporting strong attendance and ensuring our students are present and engaged. Together, we are building a strong and unified path forward.

Thank you for your continued partnership.

In Community,

Cheryl Cotton, Superintendent

West Contra Costa Unified School District

On September 4, Kaitlin Marchesi of Vista Academy was named the 2025 Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year during the Contra Costa County Office of Education’s Teachers of the Year Celebration. With this honor, she advances to the state level to compete for the prestigious California Teacher of the Year award.

Zsarleen Posadas of Montalvin Manor K8 School was also recognized for her outstanding contributions and named a co-finalist at the county celebration.

Thank you both for being shining examples of leadership at your school sites and in our community. Congratulations to Ms. Marchesi—we wish you the best of luck at the state level!

You can find more photos of the celebration on the District's Facebook page.

Can we talk? The West Contra Costa Unified School District invites you to our final listening session on September 9 at 5:30 PM at Pinole Valley High School. You can share your ideas, thoughts, and feedback with District leadership, as we plan for the school year and beyond.

Board Member Area 1

September 9, 2025

5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Pinole Valley High School

Cafeteria

or

Virtual: Zoom Webinar ID 982 2915 6854

You can attend this session in person or virtually. Please check your ParentSquare messages and the District’s social media channels for more details.

As part of our ongoing commitment to campus safety and security, we want to remind all visitors of the new visitor sign-in system now in place at every WCCUSD school site.

How to Sign In:

All visitors are required to sign in electronically using the visitor system kiosk located at the main office entrance. This process is quick and user-friendly, ensuring we know who is on campus at all times.

Why It Matters:

• The new system helps us maintain a safe and secure environment for all students, staff, and families.

• It also streamlines visitor management and aligns with our district’s safety protocols.

Need Assistance?

If you have any questions or need guidance on how to use the system, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your school’s front office staff. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping our schools safe and welcoming for everyone.

As the new school year is underway, we want to take a moment to highlight the importance of daily attendance. Every single day that our students are in school is a day filled with learning, growth, and new opportunities.

We truly appreciate the role that WCCUSD families, staff, and community members play in ensuring our students are present and engaged. When our students are “all in, every day,” they are better positioned to thrive academically and socially.

We encourage you to join us in reinforcing the message of being present every school day. Whether it’s establishing a morning routine or communicating with teachers about any challenges, your partnership is vital.

Thank you for being an essential part of our community and for helping us ensure that our students are truly “all in, every day” this school year.

We’re excited to welcome families back on campus for our annual Back-to-School Nights across the district! Please join us as we kick off the new school year and share important information with you:

• Elementary Schools: Thursday, September 11, 2025

• Middle Schools: Thursday, September 25, 2025

• High Schools: Thursday, October 2, 2025

These evenings are a wonderful opportunity for you to meet teachers, learn about classroom expectations, and connect with other families. For more details, please contact your school site. We look forward to seeing you there!