As we embark on 2025, we want to extend our warmest wishes for a joyful and prosperous New Year to each of you. The start of a new calendar year is a wonderful time to reflect on the accomplishments of the past and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.

We are thrilled to welcome our students, staff, and families back for the second half of the school year. Together, we’ve already achieved so much, and we are excited to continue fostering growth, learning, and success across our schools.

As we look forward to the coming months, let’s work together to celebrate each milestone and overcome challenges with resilience and determination. Your support is invaluable to the success of our district, and we thank you for being a vital part of our community.

May 2025 be a year of great achievements, meaningful connections, and bright futures for all. Let’s make it a year to remember!

Warm regards,
Senior Cabinet

What works for one person doesn't work for the other, and that is OK, find your thing to get moving. The benefits will be worth it you will be more focused, and have more energy throughout your day.

Why should you be more active?

• Feel Stronger.
• More focused.
• Feel, think, and sleep better.
• Reach and stay at a healthy weight.
• Lose fat and build lean muscle.
• Lower your risk of serious health problems, including diabetes, heart attack, high blood pressure, and some cancers.
• Keep your heart, lungs, bones, muscles, and joints strong and healthy.
• How can you be more active?

Finding your motivation

• Think about why you want to be active. Maybe you'd like to have more energy or relieve stress. Your reasons for being more active can fuel your motivation and get you moving.
• Choose activities you enjoy.
• Maybe you like exercising outdoors or taking a workout class with a friend. If you get bored, mix it up. Try something new.
• Take small steps.
• Pick a goal to focus on, and break it down into smaller, doable steps. For example, you could start with a 10-minute walk after lunch, then work up to a bigger goal over time.
• Reward yourself.
• This is the best part. How will you celebrate your success?

For more information on Fitness please visit: www.kp.org/fitness

Let’s start 2025 with the “Right Weigh” by getting on the scale at least once a week (or more if you are an overachiever). Awareness of your weight can help you make decisions that don’t get you off track of your goals. When you weigh yourself be sure to do it on the same day of the week and preferably the same time. Be sure to record your progress each time you jump on the scale. You may even want to take measurements or pictures to record your progress.

Visit Kaiser Permanente for more resources and information. Keep an eye out for the next installment, and we hope you and your workforce have a happy, healthy January and start to your New Year!

Health and wellbeing are more than the absence of illness. Physical, mebtal, and spirtual health is important to be the best we can be wach day. Join us as we mindfully practice strategies to acheive balance and improve our wellbeing.

To register and view topic details, click the link below.

CalPERS Wellness Wednesdays

Join Kaiser Permanente clinical psychologist Lorna Chiu, PhD in our January session, where you will:

• Understand why stress happens and the costs of unmanaged stress.
• Recognize signs and warning signs of stress.
• Identify self-care and stress management skills.
• Learn ways to communicate what you need with others when you are under stress, to help reduce it.

Date: Thursday, January 23, 2025

Time: 12:30 – 1:30 pm PST

Location: Microsoft Teams

Register: QR Code or click here

Three Antioch High School AVID students gave up their last day of winter break to attend Sutter Elementary's Staff Development Day and shared how AVID's program and its instructional strategies and support has paved their way to academic success. Kudos to AHS's AVID program for fostering such a strong sense of confidence in these students and a shout out to Sutter Elementary for tapping into our scholars' talents! Nothing better than collaboration across schools, especially when it's our students leading the conversation! Thank you to Principal Ogden, Vice Principal Erickson, Principal Jimno, Kelsey Escobar and Jenine Wolfe for making this happen!

We are seeking your input regarding Apptegy Rooms for direct communication with parents and guardians. Whether you are an avid user of the platform or haven't gotten started your voice is important! The survey will remain open until 5:00pm on January 24th.

https://forms.office.com/r/z8XvvA94Dw

New hires completed their third and final day of New Teacher Orientation virtually on Monday, January 6th. 110 teachers joined various sessions led by district staff and some of our amazing educators from across the district! It was a great way to ease back into the hustle of second semester! Thank you to all of our facilitators and our new hires for a great day of engagement, energy and learning!

Additionally, our third and final day with Dr. Daman Harris was held at Lone Tree Golf Course on Tuesday, January 7th. Dr. Harris had the opportunity to work with our special education teachers, computer teachers, PE teachers, counselors, and music teachers and the day was packed full of culturally relevant instructional strategies, self-reflection and focus on meeting the needs of our ever evolving and diverse student population.

Cheers to the New Year and continuous learning our amazing educators engage in for the benefit of our students and community!

Thank you to all of the elementary and middle school sites who were able to complete Diagnostic 2 on time and with 95% participation rates or higher! December is always a busy month and finding the additional time to administer both the reading and math diagnostic can be challenging! But as always, you stepped up and the work is paying off!

Major Movement Awards in Reading

• More than 5% growth of students meeting proficiency
• Belshaw Elementary
• Carmen Dragon Elementary
• Dallas Ranch Middle
• Grant Elementary
• Kimball Elementary
• Lone Tree Elementary
• Marsh Elementary
• Mission Elementary
• Park Middle
• Sutter Elementary
• More than 10% growth of students meeting proficiency
• Fremont Elementary
• Jack London Elementary
• Muir Elementary
• Orchard Park
• Turner Elementary
• More than 15% growth of students meeting proficiency!!!
• Black Diamond Middle
• Diablo Vista Elementary
• Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy

Major Movement Awards in Math

• More than 5% growth of students meeting proficiency
• Antioch Middle
• Belshaw Elementary
• Black Diamond Middle
• Carmen Dragon Elementary
• Dallas Ranch Middle
• Jack London Elementary
• Lone Tree Elementary
• Mission Elementary
• Orchard Park
• Sutter Elementary
• Turner Elementary
• More than 10% growth of students meeting proficiency
• Diablo Vista Elementary
• Muir Elementary
• Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy
• Turner Elementary

The importance of health and wellness is on the forefront, and this includes the new California Standards for the Teaching Profession that are rolling out! Teachers participating in the Antioch Teacher Induction Program are ahead of the curve by selecting goals from the newly adopted standards this year. Specifically, CSTP Element 6G states: Teachers cultivate and sustain personal motivation, commitment, energy, and health by balancing continuous professional growth with their own physical and emotional wellness. To dive a little more deeply into this CSTP, which several candidates selected as a growth goal for the year, an optional seminar was held to collaborate on the importance of resilience and wellness and to form a cohort that will explore using The Educator Wellness Plan Book & Journal as part of their journey. Kudos to our candidates and mentors for focusing on their well being to bring the best to their students.

As many of you know several of our secondary schools have begun implementing Alternative to Suspension programs to enable students to remain in class and learn when they have behaviors that need to be addressed. Looking at the 1st Semester data, 91% of the 125 students who have gone through the program this year are successfully modifying their behaviors and have not repeated the same incident that got them assigned to the program.

How are we doing it? Our Alternative to Suspension programs directly address, redirect and modify student behaviors. We are utilizing Restorative Behavior Modification Contracts which set specific goals for student behaviors. While in the program, students are also educated about their behaviors and the possible consequences of their actions. Students also reflect on their past and set present and future goals causing them to focus on who they are, what they want for themselves and how their behaviors can affect their future.

Why are we doing it? Most importantly, because students can’t learn if they aren’t in class. It is better for students to be in class and learn than to be doing a multitude of things that they probably shouldn’t be doing when they are suspended. And if we ask ourselves why we are suspending students, the answer should be because we want them to change their behaviors. Unless a student is a danger to staff and students, suspending students generally does more harm than good. Suspending students sends the message that students are not wanted or welcome in our schools. It increases the likelihood of students dropping out, failing classes, participating in risky, illegal activities, becoming involved in the juvenile justice system, and fails to address and modify student behaviors.

Not suspending students is a different way of doing things, but the data shows that the students who go through this program are changing their behaviors. If you have any questions about the program, feel free to reach out to Kristy Martinez @ extension 40270 or KristyMartinez@antiochschools.net.

Students from Kimball, Jack London, Belshaw, and Turner Elementary Schools showcased their creativity during the Hour of Code, an annual global event introducing students to the basics of coding. Using Scratch and Minecraft, they explored coding fundamentals, designed interactive projects, and solved challenges in dynamic digital environments. This event reflects our district's commitment to preparing students for success in college, career, and life by integrating STEAM education early on. Congratulations to these budding coders for their outstanding participation! 🎉

Counted Out shows us the power of math in our society, our economy, and our democracy.​

“Counted Out” investigates the biggest crises of our time — racism, political polarization, economic inequity, a global pandemic, climate change — through the unexpected lens of math. This striking documentary exposes systemic inequities that weaponize math as a gatekeeper. And shines a light on math as the foundation of democracy and economic opportunity that allows everyone to fully participate in this fast-moving society."​

Learn more: www.countedoutfilm.com

Following the screening, stay for an exclusive post-screening conversation with the filmmakers, who will share their insights and answer your questions about the film and its vision for transforming math education.

Please join us Tuesday May 20th 5-7pm at the Lone Tree Golf Course to celebrate our retirees. Dinner includes three types of pasta, salad, and bread.

Join us for the food, fun, and celebration!

Retiree and one guest link (free): https://forms.office.com/r/zBHiK4TrHu

Additional Guests link ($45): AUSD Retirement Dinner (Retirees & One Guest are Free), Additional guest payment here @ $45 each

Hello Educators, Parents, and Chaperones,

I am very excited to invite you and your school to what will be one of the most rewarding educational programs of this school year. The NHRA Youth and Education Services Program makes its return to Sonoma Raceway on Friday July 25, 2025.

The 2025 NHRA Youth & Education Services Program (YES) digital curriculum is a FREE program that focuses on the importance of goals and continued education; additionally, it allows students to learn about and explore various career opportunities. Students are presented with career, educational, and scholarship opportunities from our official NHRA YES Program Partners: FORD, Gerber Collision & Glass, Napa Auto Parts, & The United States Air Force.

*** We understand this program occurs during summer break for many schools this year. All students, families, parents, siblings, chaperones, teachers, administrators, are welcome to register and attend on their own even if their school is on Summer Break. Simply have each person that wishes to attend register in order to receive a free race ticket***

This 2025 “Virtual NHRA YES Program” digital curriculum will include a video containing the same discussion topics that schools are accustomed to seeing when they attend the NHRA Youth & Education Services Program in person. Students now have the ability to view the entire YES Program presentation directly in the classroom or in the comfort of their own home.

After the completion of the online curriculum, all students, teachers, parents, and chaperones will be eligible to receive a free race NHRA ticket which they can use during the summer break and attend the 2025 DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals held at Sonoma Raceway. This ticket will give students the opportunity to observe the same real world scenarios discussed in the videos applied live and in person.

*Please note that if you wish to receive a free NHRA Race ticket and attend in person, the deadline to Register is Tuesday July 22nd 2025 at 3:00 PM Pacific Time.

*All Students, Teachers, Chaperones, Bus Drivers, Parents, Relatives, etc. that wish to attend need to each individually register prior to the deadline in order to receive a free ticket to the event.

In order to sign up and attend the NHRA YES Program, simply go to www.nhra.com/yesprogramregistration. You will then be prompted to the registration page with the same registration questions that you are accustomed to seeing in previous NHRA YES Program events.

If you wish to attend the YES Program and receive a free Race ticket for Friday select: July 25 DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals Sonoma, CA (Virtual Program)

After you have registered to attend the NHRA YES Program in your area, you will then be eligible to receive a free race ticket to the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals held in Sonoma, California at Sonoma Raceway on Friday July 25, 2025. This ticket will be emailed to you on the week of the race.

In addition, there is a series of supplemental videos released periodically covering various subject matter that will show students how S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) principles work in real world situations such as the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. So please keep an eye out for email alerts as those videos are released! You can enjoy those in the classroom or at home prior to the live event.

We look forward to seeing you back at the racetrack when the NHRA returns to Sonoma Raceway for the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals on Friday July 25, 2025. For more information please feel free to reach out to me directly.

Thank You,

John Baadilla

Director, National Event Marketing Operations

National Hot Rod Association

C: 562.455.9142 | jbaadilla@nhra.com

January 2025 Dateline Newsletter:

click here

Our SELPA program specialist, Rachel Fogleman, has visited a few sites and shared the attached Slide presentation that clearly lays out how to write a legally compliant IEP. Because it's beneficial to everyone who attends an IEP team meeting (and signs as an attendee) to know what the IEP "should" look like, we are sharing the presentation here.

Case Managers: this presentation walks you through the IEP preparation process from the information page to affirming the IEP. Please download and save the presentation for future reference.

AUSD's special education program specialists work hard to ensure ALL of our students are receiving an education that helps them to become resilient and independent. In addition to supporting the students in our 25 district schools, they support our students in nonpublic schools, acting as a liaison between the schools and the district. Recently the team received a special shoutout (in their January newsletter) from one of the district's nonpublic school partners (Spectrum Schools):

Antioch Unified School District has been exceptionally innovative in improving transportation options for students, always thinking outside of the box to meet their needs. Their commitment to supporting the smooth transition of new students is evident, as they’ve gone above and beyond by sending their BCBAs to assist during this process. Taneeka [Bourgeois], in particular, has been a straightforward and clear communicator, making collaboration seamless. Working alongside Taneeka and the entire Antioch team has been instrumental in our growth and in providing quality education to more students. We truly appreciate this strong partnership and look forward to continuing our work together.

The Alt ELPAC requires students to attain proficiency in all four domains (language, speaking, reading, and writing) the same as the ELPAC. IEP teams can no longer RFEP a student who has multiple disabilities based on the impact of their disabilities (nor can participation be waived by a parent or guardian--the test is mandatory in California). Students who take the Alt ELPAC can have a single domain exemption, however, and this will need to be determined by the IEP team and documented in the student's IEP. The CDE created a tool to document the exemption (and the decision that went into it). Once the team completes the tool (attached below), the decision is documented on page two of the Statewide Assessments page in SEIS, as shown on the attached SEIS form.

Finding ways to adapt material to ensure that students are able to show what they have learned and participate more fully in their education. Attached is a chart that provides some concrete examples for general education and special education teachers to use.

The US Department of Education recently issued a new fact sheet discussing equal access to elementary and secondary education for students who are English Learners (ELs) with disabilities. In this factsheet (link appears below), the issues of how to overcome language barriers, work towards proficiency in English, and participate meaningfully in educational programming in addition to providing a free appropriate public education under section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act or an IEP pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Act are considered. Some useful recommendations are provided regarding communication with both parents and students.

Of particular use is page 3, which provides examples of the types of practices that could violate federal civil rights laws, but which can happen happen easily in a school setting, even without harmful intent.

These are described on the document attached, but consider:

1. determining that a student has a disability on the basis of their language acquisition status (or not considering that as a factor against finding a disabling condition);

2. conversely, determining that a student doesn't need special education services or accommodations based on their receiving EL services;

3. conducting an evaluation only in English for students who are ELs and suspected of having a disability;

4. scheduling programming at the same time, i.e., ELD classes and Learning Center classes scheduled for the same block of time/day.

Please check out the attached and pay attention to what's happening at YOUR site.

SEIS Study Hall and So You Think You Can SpEd sessions will be held on the following Wednesday afternoons, from 1:30 - 3:30 pm in room 502 at BDMS. The meetings on 1/22/25 and 3/19/25 will also be accessible via TEAMS.

January 13th ALL DAY TRAINING 8 am- 3 pm: (for any staff that has not attended previous trainings 24-25)

January 15th GOALBOOK

January 22nd Service page and offer of FAPE

February 12th Grade Level Transition Meetings

March 12th Writing IEP Goals

March 19th Goals

SPG is offering free virtual PD sessions on reducing cell phone distractions in class, ethical use of AI in School Psychology, and Legal Updates in Special Education. The sessions are scheduled for 5 pm PT, and entirely voluntary (i.e., there is no compensation available for staff who elect to log into the trainings).

Our Harvest of the Month are blackberries and raspberries! The elementary students will find these beautiful berries in their salad bars this month. These berries are from Medina Berry Farm in Watsonville, California.

We love when Nutrition Services Staff receives praise from the students they feed. Recently, our wonderful Susana Santiago was given a thank you card from a senior at Deer Valley High School that read:

“I’m thankful for your kindness and always saying something good about me whenever I get lunch.

Even when I’m feeling down you make me smile and you always treat everyone so amazing.

Thank you for smiling and being so positive, it’s really made a difference during lunch.”

Great job, Susana! We appreciate all you do to serve our students with your compassionate heart.

When told she would be our featured employee for this newsletter she said, "I'm just doing my job." Thank you, Susana, for your dedication to your role in feeding our district.

We are seeking your input regarding Apptegy Rooms for direct communication with parents and guardians. Whether you are an avid user of the platform or haven't gotten started your voice is important! The survey will remain open until 5:00pm on January 24th.

https://forms.office.com/r/z8XvvA94Dw