ESD Superintendent Update

Greetings,

This month marks the end of the second trimester and the beginning of the last trimester of the school year. As we head into the final stretch of the school year, we want to thank our families for their partnership as we work together to support student success. Our mid-year i-Ready diagnostic assessment results indicate we are on track to meet our goal of improving student outcomes. We could only meet this goal with the engagement of our families and efforts to reinforce learning and literacy at home.

We’d like to recognize and thank our African American Parent & Educator Advisory Committee (AAPEAC) representatives for their outstanding efforts to support our schools with engaging activities to celebrate and recognize African American excellence during Black History Month.

Please add these dates to your calendar!

February 14 and February 17

School Holidays (four-day weekend)

Saturday, March 8

Annual Battle of the Books Tournament

March 24-28

Spring Break

Together, let’s make the most of the opportunities ahead.

Charlayne Sprague

Superintendent

Ensuring the well-being and education of every student is a priority in the Etiwanda School District. With recent news regarding immigration enforcement and other public policy decisions, we want to reaffirm our district's role in providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. We also want to highlight federal and state guidelines that afford protections to student privacy:

• By law, district staff do not share students' personal information with outside agencies, including immigration authorities, without parental permission or a court order (with very limited exceptions). Education Code section 49076
• Federal agents, including immigration enforcement, may enter the public areas of a school, such as the main office, but must obtain a judicial warrant before entering non-public areas like classrooms or student private spaces. This is based on Fourth Amendment protections.
• Schools do not collect, store, or report student immigration status. The U.S. Supreme Court, in Plyler v. Doe, affirmed the right of every child to a public education, regardless of immigration status
• Title IX protections ensure that no one is excluded, denied benefits, or discriminated against in educational programs.

At the January 30, 2025, board meeting, our Board of Trustees took a moment to recognize the outstanding contributions of our school custodians. These dedicated individuals work tirelessly behind the scenes to a maintain clean and safe school campus for our students and staff. Each custodian was personally acknowledged for their hard work, attention to detail, and commitment to keeping our schools in top shape. Their efforts play an important role in creating a positive school climate where students can thrive. We are truly grateful for all they do to support our district!

Etiwanda Intermediate School recently hosted a dynamic Career Fair, offering students a chance to explore diverse career paths, from trades and licensing to college-connected professions. The event featured booths showcasing a range of future paths in construction, cosmetology, law enforcement, mental health, real estate, judicial government, and healthcare, along with a focus on entrepreneurship, sharing the steps for starting their own business.

We were thrilled to have district staff share their career journeys with our students too. Mike Higgins, Director of Operations & Facilities, used blueprints from the Etiwanda Intermediate School modernization project to highlight careers in architecture. Doug Claflin, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, shared his passion for agriculture, bringing samples from his own groves and barn. Karen Simon, Health Services Coordinator, presented pathways to nursing careers, including a dual high school enrollment program that offers students a high school diploma and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license. Aaron Lewis, Technology Technician, engaged students by demonstrating how chip boards and laser printers work, sparking curiosity in tech careers. Melissa Kvalheim, district teacher librarian, shared inspiring career paths in literacy and libraries, emphasizing the importance of reading and the many opportunities within the field.

This event was made possible by the school counseling and academic leadership team in support of students. We are grateful for the partnership with staff, community members, and volunteers who made this event possible. Their contributions not only helped broaden the horizons of our students but also inspired them to think about their future careers with confidence and excitement.

This February, we recognize Black History Month with a commitment to honoring the contributions and achievements of African Americans throughout our nation's history. Our focus is on celebrating the resilience, creativity, and cultural heritage that have shaped our society in invaluable ways. Through educational activities, we aim to inspire our students with stories of courage and perseverance that have led to significant progress in the pursuit of equality and justice. As we engage in this important celebration, we extend our gratitude to our African American Parent & Educator Advisory Committee for their support in making these events possible.

The Rancho Cucamonga Community and Art Foundation (RCCAAF) proudly shines a spotlights on its grantees from the 2024-2025 fiscal year - Caryn Elementary School. The Community Arts Grant empowers local arts organizations by supporting programs and projects in the visual and performing arts. One inspiring initiative benefiting from this grant is the after-school drama program at Caryn Elementary School, where creativity takes center stage.

With the assistance of the RCCAAF, Caryn Elementary School was able to purchase additional sound equipment for its after-school drama program, which provided a musical performance of Seussical Jr. for students and families.

Attention Etiwanda families, staff, and high school students! If you are interested in serving your community as a volunteer, we can use your help on Saturday, March 8, 2025! This year’s Battle of the Books event has the largest number of qualifying students in years, and it takes a small army of volunteers to run this Saturday event. Volunteers can serve in a variety of ways on this day, including set-up crew, tear-down crew, registration table host, student group escort, quiz item reader, or score keeper.

The Board of Trustees took action on January 30, 2025, to establish the school year calendar for 2025-2026. You can view the calendar on the district website under Family Resources>School Year Calendar.

The first day of school will be Monday, August 4, 2025, and the last day of school will be Thursday, May 21, 2026. Spring Break is March 30 to April 3, 2026.

Regular attendance helps your child thrive, and we encourage families to use this resource to plan vacations and appointments around the school calendar to support consistent learning and success throughout the year.

Developmental milestones are behavioral or physical checkpoints in a child’s development as they grow. This Early Childhood parent workshop will review the core milestones all children should be reaching and the skills your child should be developing at points in time. In addition, the workshop will explore learning activities that can further enhance your child’s overall development. Please use the button below to register.

Parenting strong-willed children can be challenging. If you would like some assistance, please consider enrolling in this free interactive West End SELPA Empowered Parenting workshop, where families can gain practical strategies to support behavior for children ages 3 to 13, with a diverse range of needs and abilities. The workshop also emphasizes strategies for addressing the unique needs of children with Autism and ADHD.

In this workshop families will learn more about:

• Understanding the root causes of common behavioral challenges
• Establishing household expectations and fostering strong communication
• Shaping behavior through positive reinforcement strategies
• Creating structured routines to promote success both at home and at school
• Ensuring digital safety, setting screen limits, and promoting healthy online habits

This six-week workshop is provide online on Wednesdays at 5:00 p.m. from April 2 - May 7. Please the QR code to enroll.

This West End SELPA Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Arts & Writing Showcase is open to students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in the Etiwanda School District. Students may submit one entry that explores the theme, "Better Together." Please see your child's teacher or case carrier for entry forms and eligibility requirements.

Join the Etiwanda School District team, where every day offers a chance to make a difference in the lives of students and contribute positively to our community. We're seeking passionate individuals who are eager to work in a supportive and dynamic environment, fostering educational excellence and ensuring a safe, nurturing space for our learners. By joining us, you become part of a dedicated team committed to empowering the next generation. Apply today and start your journey in making a lasting impact!

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