TVUSD Family:
As we bring to a close the first three and a half weeks of school, I am filled with gratitude and optimism for this school year. Our administrators, teachers, and support staff are doing an amazing job of supporting the educational environment of our students with vigor and uncompromising care. Classrooms are filled with 27,000 students expressing inquiry and excitement for learning. Campuses are buzzing with students enjoying their friends and playing on the playgrounds and fields. Athletics and arts programs are in full swing. Seeing our campuses full of students and staff and our thriving online learning programs is incredibly heartwarming. I am truly grateful for the trust our families have put in us to serve you and your children.
Over the past few weeks, you may have seen TVUSD in the news due to allegations of racism reported during a Temecula Valley High School football game. While the investigation into the specifics of the allegations is ongoing, we know that students and staff from a neighboring district left our campus deeply affected. I want to take this opportunity to reaffirm TVUSD’s commitment to embracing diversity and ensuring inclusive environments. Our district began intense work to train all staff and students in Equity, Access, and Inclusion nearly six years ago, and we remain committed to this critical work. We strongly condemn hate speech, offensive language, or racial intolerance of any kind. We will hold anyone found to have used such language while representing our schools accountable for their words and actions.
Like many industries throughout our nation, TVUSD is suffering shortages in staffing, and we are doing everything possible to cover positions that may be affected. We are extremely appreciative of all of our staff for their ongoing commitment and willingness to step in to cover other areas. One of the opportunities we are currently offering is hiring college students on an emergency substitute permit. If you have any college-aged children who meet the minimum requirements, please encourage them to apply. They can access the information here.
And last, your health and the health of all students and staff is our paramount concern. Please be sure to:
complete the daily Qualtrics Health Screening email or text you receive each morning;
review the COVID Help, Resources, and Information section located on every school website;
use the online confidential COVID illness/positive test reporting form for students and staff;
view the weekly dashboard of reported COVID cases in TVUSD on the district’s webpage; and
remember that any students or staff experiencing any illness symptoms should stay home.
While this school year is not quite back to the ‘normal’ we had hoped for, and we recognize that the COVID protocols continue to require adjustments for many, we again thank you for your continued support, and we remain incredibly proud of our students and staff for a strong re-opening!
Warmly,
Jodi McClay, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Temecula Valley Unified School District
Anthony “Tu” Price Jr., PH.D., CMAA
Coordinator for Equity, Access, and Inclusion (EAI)
Background:
17 years in education
6 years High School Math Teacher & Athletic Director
4 years Assistant Principal
7 years High School & Middle School Principal
I have had the opportunity thus far to have initial EAI site visits with Great Oak High, Temecula Valley High, Rancho Vista High, Chaparral High, Vail Ranch Middle, Gardner Middle School, Abby Reinke Elementary, and Red Hawk Elementary, to discuss site needs pertaining to equity, access, and inclusion. I'm excited to continue visiting additional campuses in the coming weeks. It has been great building relationships with site leaders and identifying EAI work currently existing at school sites.
Secondly, we held our first district EAI Team meeting on Monday, August 30th, with 20 individuals represented across the entire district and the central office. The focus of the meeting was to discuss the next steps for EAI site teams at all campuses and the district structures to support our sites in this important EAI work.
Lastly, the City of Temecula is acknowledging Hispanic Student Clubs from Chaparral High and Great Oak High for the city's first “National Hispanic Heritage Month” proclamation to be issued at the September 14th City Council meeting. The proclamation the student clubs will receive is signed by the Mayor and an opportunity to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which is commemorated nationally from September 15-October 15.
Jason D. Vickery
Director of Safety/Security
Background:
27 years with the San Diego Sheriff’s Department. Assignments included Detentions, Patrol, School Resource Officer, Narcotics, Child Abuse, and Cyber Crimes. Last assignment was as Captain of the San Marcos Sheriff’s Station.
I have been to many of the schools and taken input from staff on what measures we can take to make them the safest environment possible. We are working on streamlining communication on campus and incorporating some of the latest safe school practices to achieve this.
I have also spoken with our campus security guards and listened to their concerns and ideas for making our campus’ the safest we can. One way to achieve this is through training. Starting this month, we will be providing twenty-four hours of training for our safety staff, including the latest and best practices, laws, procedures, and de-escalation techniques.
I have also been working very closely with the Riverside Sheriff’s Department and our School Resource Deputies. Since my arrival, I have been working with them daily, covering a wide variety of issues. We have a great partnership, and I look forward to continuing this relationship.
Lastly, we have reconvened our District Safety Committee, which includes several District members and we will have our first meeting next week to address safety concerns district-wide.
Temecula Valley Unified School District
Website: https://www.tvusd.k12.ca.us