Dear PYLUSD Community,

I hope everyone has had a special summer spending time with family and friends. With the school year just around the corner, I would like to welcome all of our students, staff, and families back to our wonderful district. This year, our primary focus will be on bringing all of our students up to grade level and beyond; through targeted academic support, foundational curriculum supplementation, and after-school intervention programs.

I am also focused on expanding our community outreach and engagement. So much of what I have learned already about PYL has come from meeting and talking with parents and community members. Therefore, I’ve created superintendent advisory committees so that I have the opportunity to engage with more parents throughout our school district. If you are interested in participating, please fill out the application below.

Sincerely,

Alex Cherniss, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District

acherniss@pylusd.org
Putting Kids First

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss will host four community advisory committees throughout the 2023-2024 school year. The purpose of each committee will be to discuss district plans and allow parents and guardians the opportunity to provide valuable feedback.

The committees will meet with Dr. Cherniss online via Zoom once every two months. Please see the schedule below:

• Elementary School Parents & Guardians: Third Tuesday of Every Other Month from 7 to 8 p.m.
• Middle School Parents & Guardians: Third Wednesday of Every Other Month from 7 to 8 p.m.
• High School Parents & Guardians: First Tuesday of Every Other Month from 7 to 8 p.m.
• Special Education Parents & Guardians: First Thursday of Every Other Month from 7 to 8 p.m.

If you are able to participate on the set day/time and are interested in applying for a committee, please complete the form below by Friday, September 1, 2023. Please note there may be scheduling changes over the course of the school year.

Hello PYL Community,

On behalf of the entire Board of Education, I would like to welcome you to the 2023-2024 school year!

This year is sure to be a terrific one as we are set to welcome over 23,000 students through our doors at the end of August. We will continue to offer students the advantage of an outstanding education while implementing several new and exciting initiatives to enhance their experience on our campuses. Teachers, staff, and school and district administrators will play a vital role in this work; so to them, I say thank you in advance!

A function of our school district that you may not be as familiar with is our Board of Education, which I serve on as President. I, along with four other members, are elected officials whose role is to act as leaders and bridges between the professionals who lead our schools and you—our community. We take great pride in this work and do so by adopting the district’s annual budget and approving expenditures, establishing district policies, approving curriculum, textbooks, and courses of study, and several other duties. You may learn more about us at www.pylusd.org/board.

In closing, I know I speak for all five Board members when I say that we look forward to collaborating with you this school year and beyond. Let’s make it a great one!

Sincerely,

Shawn Youngblood

Board President

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District

Summer is the busiest time of the year for the district’s Maintenance and Facilities Department as they prepare for the new school year ahead. Under the direction of Executive Director Bradd Runge, the department is set to complete various maintenance and repairs, preventative maintenance, grounds, custodial, and capital improvement projects in the coming weeks.

Some of the projects they will complete include the preparation of the Middle School Dual Language Program at Bernardo Yorba; roofing projects at seven sites; exterior painting of Valencia High School; field renovations at nine sites; classroom wall installations and a front lobby restroom remodel at Travis Ranch School; preparation of the new preschool programs at Bryant Ranch and Wagner elementary schools; restroom remodels at Fairmont Elementary School, El Dorado High School, Esperanza High School, and Tuffree Middle School; kitchen and food service improvements at Esperanza High School and Tuffree Middle School; tennis court resurfacing and repairs; asphalt projects at seven sites; new flooring and fire alarm system upgrades at various sites; installation of new scoreboards at El Dorado and Valencia high schools; classroom ceiling tile replacements districtwide; and deep cleaning at all schools.

Below are pictures of a few completed projects. The district is grateful for the efforts of the Maintenance and Facilities Department to ensure campuses are in tip-top shape as students and staff return for the new school year!

The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District, along with other schools and districts across California, recently received Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P) grants from the state. The ELO-P was designed to provide additional funding for after-school, intersession, and summer school enrichment programs. In January, the PYLUSD Board of Education approved the district’s plan to spend these funds which included a long list of high-quality after-school academic opportunities and enrichment programs embedded within the district’s Expanded Learning Program, formerly known as Childcare. Some of these programs were implemented last school year while others will be launched during this upcoming year.

In the area of academics, and thanks to the funding through ELO-P, the district now offers students after-school STEM and computer science courses where instructors teach the subject areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and skills such as coding and programming. Staff is also working on a plan to hire teachers to tutor students in foundational math, reading, and writing as well as specific content support in science and social studies. New enrichment opportunities include many exciting athletic programs such as soccer clinics, dance classes, and basketball to help students stay both physically and mentally healthy.

In looking ahead, over 2,600 students are registered for the 2023-2024 Expanded Learning Program including childcare and after-school programs. The district plans to partner with a local mariachi academy to expose students to international languages through music, a football vendor to provide an after-school flag football program, a performing arts company to offer students musical theater opportunities, and a local martial arts academy to offer Jiu Jitsu and wrestling.

ELO-P funding has also allowed the district to hire thirteen school counselors and seven special education aides to work and provide support during after-school programs. The information outlined above is just a small portion of the enhancements that have been made to the district’s after-school, intersession, and summer school enrichment programs. The work will continue as the district’s Early and Expanded Learning Department has big plans to create the best before and after-school program in Orange County.

Once again, all of these programs and more are available as a part of the district’s Expanded Learning Program, formerly known as Childcare. More information and instructions to sign-up can be found online at www.pylusd.org/apps/pages/expanded-learning-programs.

Over the summer, the district transitioned to online Board Meeting agendas. All agendas, individual agenda items, and agenda attachments can be easily accessed online. Board Meeting agendas will continue to be available online at www.pylusd.org/boardagendas in advance of meetings.

August 29, 2023 — First Day of the 2023-2024 School Year

September 4, 2023 — Labor Day (No School)

September 12, 2023 — Board of Education Meeting