

WPUSD eNews
PARENT EDITION | August, 2022

WPUSD eNews: March 2025
Important Upcoming Dates
March 17, Non-ADA Day, No School
April 14-21, Spring Break, No School
Celebrating Years of Service in WPUSD
Some of my favorite days as superintendent are when I get to visit our incredible staff and personally celebrate their years of service in WPUSD. Hearing their stories—their journeys in education, the moments that have shaped them, and what they love most about working in this district—is truly inspiring. It’s also a powerful reminder of why we do this work: our students.
Each year, we celebrate staff members who hit years of service milestones - starting at 10 years and marking every five-year increment, all the way to 45 years (no, that's not a typo, but definitely a record!). Every pin I hand out is a reminder of the passion and dedication that make our schools such special places for learning and growth.
We are beyond fortunate to have such a committed team shaping the future of our children. Please join us in celebrating their incredible years of service!
Be sure to check out all of the amazing teachers and support staff I had the privilege of visiting this year (linked below).💙
2025 Teachers of the Year!
Big congratulations to Mrs. Noriega (Foskett Ranch Elementary) and Sra. Gonzalez (Lincoln High School) on being named this year's Teachers of the Year! 🎉 Their utmost care for students, passion for Youth Development, and undeniable commitment to academic excellence make them truly deserving of this honor.
Kerry Callahan, Superintendent
WPUSD Board of Trustees
Board Meeting Highlights & Upcoming Meetings
Board Meeting Highlights
- February 18 Highlights
- The board held its school spotlight meeting at Lincoln Crossing Elementary and heard a presentation from their PTO.
- The board approved the PARS agreement which will allow 44 employees to retire with the PARS benefits.
- Both TBHS and LHS student representatives celebrated recent athletics achievements and announced upcoming events. The PHS student representative thanked the community for their participation in their annual fundraiser.
- Reno Penders, Director of Education Services presented on the 2024 California Dashboard Results - the state's dashboard that measures student success and areas for improvement.
- Assistant superintendents presented on the recent changes in laws and how they will impact the district.
- March 4 Highlights
- Christina Lawson, Director of Food & Nutrition Services gave a presentation on meal production numbers, survey results, and future goals.
- The board approved the WPUSD Transportation Plan through 2027
- The board approved a reduction in several certificated and classified positions for the 2025-2026 school year due to lack of work or lack of funding.
- The board approved the appointment and contract of Jennifer Hladun as Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services beginning July 1, 2025.
Upcoming Meetings
- March 18, 2025 - Twelve Bridges Elementary, Multipurpose Room, 6:00pm
Miss a meeting? Click HERE to view them on our YouTube Channel
Board Objectives
ACTION ITEMS: PARENT 'TO-DO'S'
In This Section
🚨Annual Registration Update NEW!
What if there was an emergency and we couldn't reach you?
As of today, OVER 1,500 STUDENTS do not have updated information. Your student may be one of them. Please complete this process today.
ALL students attending WPUSD schools for the 2024-2025 school year must have their registration, emergency contact and health information reviewed and updated. Please ensure all required forms are e-signed and submitted. Failure to complete this process may impact your child's ability to participate in field trips and other extracurricular activities.
Information & Instructions
PowerSchool Parent Portal Log In Link
- Contact your child’s school office with any questions.
- If you don’t have a Parent Portal account, you should have received an email or letter with setup instructions.
- Forgot your student’s Access ID/Password? Contact your child’s school for assistance.
- For technical support with your Parent Portal account, email HelpDesk@wpusd.org
- If you forgot your username or password, use the 'Forgot Password' link on the log-in screen.
Ensure your child's information is up-to-date!
INFORMATION SECTION
In This Section
❓Understanding Ethnic Studies NEW!
🤔Ask the School Psychologist NEW!
👷Facilities Projects Update NEW!
🪜Recent Maintenance Projects NEW!
🍊Plateful News NEW!
💙The HUB: WPUSD Family Resource Center Now Online
🎓Portrait of a Learner
📱Social Media Buzz NEW!
👩🏻🏫We're Hiring NEW!
ETHNIC STUDIES IMPLEMENTATION: UNDERSTANDING ETHNIC STUDIES ❓
Clarifying Common Misconceptions About Ethnic Studies
As our district continues to develop a well-rounded curriculum, we've received questions about ethnic studies programs. We'd like to address some common misconceptions:
Misconception: Ethnic studies replaces traditional history courses. Reality: Ethnic studies complements existing history curriculum by providing additional perspectives. Students still learn core historical content while gaining a more complete understanding of diverse experiences that have shaped our nation.
Misconception: Ethnic studies focuses only on differences between groups. Reality: While ethnic studies examines unique cultural contributions, it also highlights our shared values and experiences. Students discover the many ways diverse communities have worked together throughout history to overcome challenges.
Misconception: Ethnic studies is only relevant to students from certain backgrounds. Reality: All students benefit from understanding diverse perspectives. These courses help develop critical thinking skills, cultural awareness, and empathy—qualities essential for success in our increasingly interconnected world.
Misconception: Ethnic studies is a recent educational trend. Reality: Ethnic studies has been part of educational curricula since the 1960s and has evolved based on decades of research showing its effectiveness in improving student engagement and academic outcomes across all demographic groups.
Please contact our Educational Services Department at 916.645.6350 with any questions.
ASK THE SCHOOL PSYCOLOGIST🤔
Technology Limits with Love and Logic
Our monthly newsletters share how important it is to promote the safe use of technology. This requires parents to set limits and might leave them wondering how? In order to support parents with this, we are sharing language (Enforceable Statements) recommended by Love and Logic, a research-driven whole-child philosophy whose approach is used by parents and leading educators worldwide.
Read their full editorial 'Ask the School Psychologist' below.
FACILITIES PROJECTS UPDATE👷
Phoenix High School Addition Project
RECENT MAINTENANCE PROJECTS 🪜
PLATEFUL (AKA FOOD SERVICE) NEWS! 🍊
🥣 February Taste Test: Açaí Bowls! 🥣
🥧 Pi Day Celebration – March 14th! 🥧
We’re celebrating Pi Day with all things round! Students who grab lunch on Friday, March 14th will also receive a delicious chocolate chip cookie to enjoy. Don’t miss out on the fun!
Harvest of the Month: Murcott Mandarins🍊
🍔 March Recipe Testing: Western Burgers & Egg Bites 🍳
We’re continuing to test and develop new menu items with student input!
THE HUB: WPUSD'S FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER IS NOW OPEN!💙
The HUB serves as a valuable resource for the students and families in our district.
The HUB offers services like:
- Shelf Stable Food
- Produce & Local Food Distributions
- Backpacks & School Supplies
- Hygiene Kits
- College & Career support
- Referrals to County and Local Services
The HUB is open to all WPUSD students and families. They welcome drop-ins during business hours - stop by and say hello!
The HUB is Now Online!
You can find The HUB on our website and on social media. For information about upcoming food distributions and events, visit wpusd.org/thehub.
PORTRAIT OF A LEARNER 🎓
WHAT'S BUZZING ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA?📱
📏⚙️Engineering and Architecture⚙️📏
Next up on our Career Technical Education (CTE) highlight series is our Engineering and Architecture Industry Sector. This hands-on pathway embodies what it means to give students opportunities to develop skills in high school that directly translate to career opportunities. Students engage in classes that teach them how to use industry-grade equipment to design real products using CAD (Computer-aided Design)
✨Education & Early Childhood Development✨
Inspiring the next generation of educators and child care professionals! Our Education, Child Development & Family Services sector, as part of our Career Technical Education (CTE) programs, is relatively new to WPUSD. Housed at Lincoln High, students are gaining hands-on experience in teaching strategies and early childhood development.
TBHS Athletic Fields Ribbon Cutting🦏
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Twelve Bridges High School’s new athletic fields! The support form our community, contractors, architects, and many others has helped make this project a reality!
Give us a follow for more!
WE ARE HIRING!📣
Interested in Working for WPUSD?
WPUSD is hiring! Check out our current job openings at https://www.edjoin.org/wpusd. Be sure to share the Edjoin link with those who may be looking for employment!
Some of our current available positions:
- Director of Maintenance
- Chief Business Officer
- Middle School Counselor
- Bus Driver
- Food Service Assistant - Twelve Bridges Middle
- Parent/School/Community Liaison
- Paraprofessional - Various Sites
- Various Coaching Positions
- Substitutes
- Many More!
QUICKLINK CORNER
Here's where you can find quick links to frequently searched items.
Western Placer Unified School District
Website: www.wpusd.org
Location: 600 6th Street, Suite 400, Lincoln, CA, USA
Phone: 916-645-6350
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WPUSD/
Twitter: @WPUSD
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