Monday Message: 1/22/2024

Dear PYLUSD Community,

I have very exciting news to share today.

After our Board of Education unanimously approved the Orange County School of Computer Science (OCSCS) at the December Board Meeting, we received an overwhelming demand for attendance for the 2024-2025 school year! As such, the OCSCS is now open to 6th-grade students this fall!

With OCSCS now enrolling all students in grades 6, 7, and 8, more spots will be available to accommodate our families. Remember, despite space filling up fast, your child will be guaranteed a spot if you enroll in OCSCS by January 31. You can enroll now by filling out this form, which can also be found on the school’s website at www.pylusd.org/ocscs.

On Friday, January 19, Bernardo Yorba hosted a parent tour to give a glimpse into the educational experience OCSCS will offer. As you can see (pictured below), computer science professionals from Code to the Future work directly with students!

OCSCS will host another showcase for all prospective students and families on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at 6 p.m. at Bernardo Yorba Middle School. Additional OCSCS informational sessions will be hosted at our elementary school sites beginning on January 31, 2024. Click here to access the dates, times, and locations for each information session offered.

I would like to highlight one achievement that I am most proud of since joining PYLUSD. Before I arrived, many of our students with special needs who were approaching the end of 12th grade and the achievement of a high school diploma would instead enter our Adult Transition Program, Venture Academy. They would never receive a diploma but would receive work experience and job training until the age of 22 and earn a certificate upon completion of the program.

Beginning this year, these same students are now earning their diplomas! With the creation of our new Advance Program, our special needs students are being provided extra instructional support and opportunities to earn credits at El Camino Real High School. Our first three students in the Advance Program will graduate with their high school diplomas on January 24. While only a few students will be honored as a part of this new initiative this year, it is my vision that we grow this program significantly in future years and offer all students an opportunity to earn a diploma from PYLUSD!

Mrs. Renee Gray, Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services, recently shared more information about the Advance Program and another one of our new special education programs, Placentia Linda Upward Success, at a recent Board Meeting. You may view her presentation in its entirety below.

It's an honor to serve as your superintendent of schools!

Respectfully,

Dr. Alex Cherniss

Superintendent of Schools

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District

Putting Kids First

acherniss@pylusd.org

Will your child be turning five between September 2, 2024, and June 2, 2025? Or are you considering keeping your child out of kindergarten for an additional year? If so, enroll them in the district’s award-winning transitional kindergarten (TK) program now offered at all elementary schools!

TK is an early kindergarten experience for children that allows young learners to grow in an environment tailored to meet their academic and social-emotional needs. It serves as a bridge between preschool and kindergarten and ensures developmentally younger children are ready for kindergarten and beyond.

TK students are in school for 3 hours and 20 minutes five days a week. The program includes an AM and a PM model with students attending from 7:50 a.m. to 11:10 a.m. or 9:30 a.m. to 12:55 p.m.

Learn more about TK at the district’s upcoming Parent Information Night on Thursday, January 25, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District. The address is 1301 E. Orangethorpe Ave. Placentia, CA 92870.

January 25, 2024 — Transitional Kindergarten Parent Information Night

January 26, 2024 — End of the First Semester

January 30, 2024 — Orange County School of Computer Science Showcase

February 1, 2024 — Virtual Community Forum on Local Control Accountability Plan

February 9, 2024 — School Choice Request Period Ends

February 12, 2024 — Lincoln’s Birthday (Non-Student Day)

February 13, 2024 — Board of Education Meeting

February 19, 2024 — Presidents’ Holiday (Non-Student Day)