April 30, 2023
In EUSD, every student is an Empowered Learner – an individual who is curious, self-directed, and able to overcome challenges in pursuit of my interests and goals.
An Empowered Learner is one of the six whole-learner outcomes that comprise the new EUSD Learner Profile in our Blueprint for the Future. As you may recall, the 2022-2023 Design Team has been focused on developing a Learning Model that establishes the learning experiences to achieve our whole-child outcomes.
In EUSD, an Empowered Learner consistently applies learned skills and knowledge to real-world problems; self-advocates and persists through challenges; and takes risks and approaches learning with a growth mindset. While the Blueprint for the Future will launch officially for the 2023-2024 school year, we are proud to share that our students are persistent and tackle real-world problems in countless ways. Just this week, Rock Springs 2nd-graders in teacher Aaron Horstman’s class embraced the power of “yet” in a math lesson that’s preparing them for the next level. Over at Glen View Elementary, 4th- and 5th-graders in teacher Uriel Martinez Sanchez’s robotics program refined their machinery through trial and error inquiry.
The EUSD Learner Profile and Learning Model were shared in our seventh design team session last week, and we are excited to share this journey and the future of EUSD with you. We encourage you to visit the EUSD Blueprint for the Future website to see our progress and a detailed breakdown of our work.
Here are this week’s updates and reminders.
School Library Month: Did you know that April is School Library Month? There are amazing things happening in school libraries across EUSD. As of April 19, throughout our 24 schools, we have circulated more than 371,000 books this school year! Libraries serve every single student on our campuses. Besides providing crucial literacy support to students who have limited access to books outside of school, our libraries are often key places of social and emotional support outside of their regular classrooms, said G. Trupp, School Library Technician at Del Dios Academy. “Events such as Read Across America Day, art makerspaces, regular class visits, and partnering with interns from a nearby high school foster a love of reading and community connections for students and alums.” We are grateful for our library staff members for helping our students actualize their potential. Happy School Library Month!
State assessments: The annual CAASPP testing window is now open in EUSD schools. Students in grades 3 through 8 take the computer-based California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress, or CAASPP, which measures each student’s progress in English language arts and math. Students in grades 5 and 8 also will take a science assessment. Remind your students to bring their fully charged iPads to school, along with their preferred wired headphones. Schools will provide headphones, but students are allowed to bring their own wired headphones if they choose. While a good night’s rest, a healthy breakfast, and encouragement to do their best are always important for students, please take a moment to ensure these steps happen on testing days. The testing window will be open through May 26. Each school develops its own testing schedule. The CAASPP is designed to promote high-quality teaching and learning by giving information to teachers, students, and their families about what students know and can do.
Summer on the horizon: As we head into the final month of the 2022-2023 school year, be sure to stay connected with your school site for the schedule of end-of-the-year events, including on-campus promotion ceremonies and the collection of all district-issued materials such as textbooks and iPads. Every school day counts when it comes to student success, and we appreciate your support of consistent student attendance for a strong finish to the school year. The last day of school for students is Tuesday, June 2. It is a minimum day for students. Please review the bell schedule for your child’s school.
– Luis Rankins-Ibarra, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools