Superintendent's Newsletter

Superintendent's Newsletter | Mensaje del Superintendente | 總監的話

I hope this finds you enjoying a fantastic summer break. I’m writing to share some updates, exciting changes and reminders - see below for details.

Please also check your email and our FUSD and school websites regularly for updates, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to receive news about our students, staff and schools.

I wish you and your loved ones a joyful and safe remainder of summer break. All of us at Fremont Unified look forward to seeing you on the first day of school: Wednesday, August 16.

This summer has been particularly busy with summer programming, construction at multiple sites, personnel changes and more. Thank you to everyone helping prepare for the coming school year and beyond.

All kindergarten classes will be on an extended day schedule starting in the 2023-24 school year. The extended day format allows our outstanding educators to further support the development of each student’s academic and social skills, and it streamlines schedules for many of our families.

Please visit your school website to find the bell schedule, which may differ by grade level.

All FUSD elementary schools will work with a community partner program to provide extended day (before/after school) and enrichment programs for enrolled students in the 2023-24 school year.

Families of all FUSD elementary school students may contact the program providers for registration and more information.

Families with students who are designated in one or more specific categories (English learners, foster youth, homeless students, migrant students, and students who are free or reduced-price meal eligible) may be eligible to participate at approved locations at no cost through the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P). Please submit the ELO-P application to determine eligibility.

Please visit the FUSD ELO-P website for more details.

Over the summer the turf and drainage system at Tak Fudenna Memorial Stadium is being repaired or replaced to provide our students and visitors a better field for athletics and activities. Work is scheduled for completion prior to the start of school.

Facility modernizations at John F. Kennedy High School are in progress. The site will remain open during construction, which is scheduled to continue through summer 2024.

We are excited to welcome the following principals to their new positions in 2023-24:

• Dr. Ronaldo Fisher, John F. Kennedy High School

• Ms. Amy Perez, Mission San Jose High School

• Mrs. Tammy Pachote, Brier Elementary

• Ms. Lizaday Rancap-Perez, James Leitch Elementary School

• Ms. Brannin Dorsey, Niles Elementary

• Ms. Michelle Guerrero, Vallejo Mill Elementary

We are updating our communication tools and practices to strengthen the service Fremont Unified provides our community. Look out for additional updates from the District and schools as we roll out new tools and platforms.

Our new District and school websites are live now at fremontunified.org!

Adjustments to our sites and pages will continue through the coming weeks and months - we thank you for your patience during this time. Please click here if you would like to provide website feedback.

Fremont Unified is excited to announce we are transitioning to a new school-to-home communication platform: ParentSquare.

ParentSquare allows teachers, staff, and parents/guardians to send and receive messages, share pictures and files, see calendar items, and much more via email, phone, text and/or the ParentSquare app.

Parents/Guardians will receive an activation email for their ParentSquare account before the school year begins. If you create an account, you’ll gain access to a variety of features and tools. Those who do not register their account will still receive text, email and phone notifications sent from your student’s teacher(s), school or the District.

We look forward to connecting with you on ParentSquare!

Middle and high school offices will reopen on August 4, with the exception of Thornton Middle School, which is closed to the public during construction and is expected to reopen on August 15.

Elementary offices will reopen Tuesday, August 8.

All students are expected to attend school on Wednesday, August 16, 2023. Students who are not in school the first day will not be guaranteed a seat in their assigned classes, and may be overloaded to other classes/schools upon return.

Parents/Guardians must notify office staff if a student will be absent for illness. Seats will not be held for students on extended vacations or other optional activities, whether or not the school is notified.

Click here to find our instructional calendar with holidays, report card dates, and other important dates.

The MAZE window is open now through August 7 in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. MAZE is our registration confirmation process, which must be completed annually to ensure your student’s school has accurate information.

Parents/Guardians were emailed MAZE information this month. If you have not received this message, please check your spam folder, then click here for IC Parent Portal troubleshooting and support if needed.

The MAZE process also includes acknowledgment of certain parent/guardian and student rights and responsibilities. Please view our 2023-24 Parent/Guardian & Student Handbook Notice of Rights & Responsibilities for more information.

FUSD is currently enrolling students at fremontunified.org/enroll.

Eligibility for transitional kindergarten is expanding: children who will be 5 years old between September 2, 2023 and April 2, 2024 can enroll in this free program for 2023-24 to get a head start in school and build their social, communication and independence skills.

Each FUSD site will offer free breakfast and lunch to all enrolled students in the 2023-24 school year! Please check with your school site for cafeteria hours and more information.

Visit fusdcafes.org for menus, nutritional information and more.

The following COVID-19 protocols are in effect:

• Students and staff must continue to report COVID-19 cases to their school/supervisor if they were on campus or involved in a school/work activity during their infectious period (two days before either symptoms began or positive test was administered, whichever is first).

• In alignment with California Department of Public Health guidance, COVID-19 positive individuals must isolate for five days, then may return to school/work — regardless of testing — as long as they’re feeling well, have improving symptoms and are fever-free for 24 hours.

• Face coverings following a COVID-19 diagnosis will be:

• recommended for students through day 10 or two consecutive negative tests per CDPH guidance, and

• required for employees through day 10 per Cal/OSHA guidance for workplaces.

• Close contact notifications and testing opportunities will only be provided to staff exposed to COVID-19 in the workplace as outlined in Cal/OSHA guidance.

• FUSD will maintain compliance with all applicable Cal/OSHA requirements for employers.

We are currently recruiting representatives to serve on various committees. Whether you're a parent, alumni, student, teacher, or simply someone who cares about the future of Fremont, you can help support FUSD and our students by serving on a committee.

Click here to learn more.

The City of Fremont is developing a new Active Transportation Plan, which is an update of the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plans to provide the next five-year strategic plan to encourage and promote walking and biking for all ages and abilities. To provide your input on walking and biking in Fremont and learn more about the Plan and upcoming events this summer and fall, please visit my.fremont.gov/active-transportation-plan.

Sincerely,

CJ Cammack

Superintendent