TTUSD District Update
October 2023
In this Month's Newsletter
A Message from the Superintendent
District Strategic Plan Roadmap Check-In
Academic Achievement
Let’s Celebrate Our Amazing Principals
TTUSD 20th Annual Child Development Conference was a Success
Academic Achievement Tip | Preparing for College, Career, and a Purposeful Life!
Support Systems
Preparation for Winter Weather Impacts
Facilities Master Plan In-Person Community Meetings
The Great ShakeOut Safety Drills
Recurring Tech Tips for TTUSD Families
Wellness Tip | Practice Positive Thinking Every Day!
Community Connections
Bringing Regional Ingredients to Students During Farm-to-School Month
Community Partner Spotlight | Tahoe Food Hub
A Message from the Superintendent
Dear TTUSD Community,
This fall has been fantastic weather, allowing many of our students to venture out of the classroom and learn through hands-on experiences, often thanks to our incredible community partners.
I had the privilege of partaking in some of this excitement a few weeks ago when I joined a Truckee Elementary fifth-grade class on a trip to the Sagehen Creek Field Station. There, they participated in water quality monitoring, embarked on a botany sensory hike, and immersed themselves in the wonders of nature, all made possible by our amazing collaborators, SWEP (Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships). Check out a recent SWEP blog post for more details and great photos.
In addition, all TTUSD third-grade students participated in the Trails & Vistas Dreaming Tree Field Trips. These art hikes were creative arts experiences featuring music, poetry, visual art, and storytelling with the beautiful Tahoe landscape as the backdrop. It was a remarkable opportunity for our students to embrace the outdoors as an extension of their classroom.
And October 6th was Donner Trail Elementary’s annual Yuba River Day. In collaboration with Headwaters Science Institute and the Truckee Trails Foundation, Donner Trail students, families, and staff spent the day exploring their backyard while discussing sustainability, our impacts on nature, and stewardship. Students from kindergarten through fifth grade began working on their own running trail, set up a station for algae collection to track long-term changes in the Yuba River, and created art installations using natural elements.
I am continually amazed by the opportunities our students receive through the generosity of our regional partners. I’m confident these experiences will have a lasting impact on our students, allowing them to think critically in real-world contexts while appreciating the precious area we call home.
Sincerely,
Kerstin Kramer
Superintendent Chief Learning Officer
District Strategic Plan Roadmap Check-In
Last month, we shared the Strategic Plan Roadmap, which identifies actionable items the TTUSD team is committed to working on so we can achieve our overarching Strategic Goals in Academic Achievement, Support Systems, and Community Connections. Each month, we’ll share a few examples of the work being done behind the scenes.
A few weeks ago, a survey went out to families, students, and teachers asking for input on the math curriculum currently being piloted. The family survey will remain open through October 27th, and we encourage you all to let us know your thoughts. Following the survey's close, the committees of experienced math professionals overseeing this process will analyze the results and decide on the best course of action, whether adopting the new curriculum, continuing testing it for a longer period, or exploring additional options.
This example ties directly to priority 1.1, which is to deliver an evidence-based, meaningful, engaging, and effective curriculum for data-driven instruction to support individual achievement at all school sites.
Additionally, at the October 4th TTUSD Board of Trustees meeting, Executive Director of Student Services, Dr. Annamarie Cohen, and Coordinator of Wellness, Kim Bradley, gave an insightful presentation outlining our current wellness programs and how, as a district, we are expanding mental health support and services through district-wide Wellness Centers. Recently awarded funds through a Student Behavioral Health Incentive Program and ongoing funding through Measure AA funding have made these expansions a reality. So, a heartfelt thank you to our Tahoe Truckee Community for your ongoing support! Check out the presentation here if you missed it.
This effort ties directly to priority 2.1, which is to implement multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) to promote student success and address individual students' academic, social-emotional, and behavioral/attendance needs.
Let’s Celebrate Our Amazing Principals
October is National Principal Month, and we have so much to celebrate! A big shout-out to the fantastic TTUSD principals who work tirelessly to create an environment where our students can thrive. Each member of our principal staff is not just an administrator but also a mentor, advocate, and leader who positively impacts our learners and the greater Tahoe Truckee community. Their unwavering commitment to providing safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environments is nothing short of inspirational. From fostering a strong sense of community to guiding our educational endeavors, our principals play a crucial role in the daily success of our district.
Thank you to all TTUSD principals! Please join us in taking a moment to express your gratitude to this fantastic team!
TTUSD 20th Annual Child Development Conference was a Success
On October 14th, the TTUSD Early Learning Department hosted its 20th annual Child Development Conference, featuring the engaging keynote speaker Jim Gill, renowned for his work as a musician, author, and child development specialist. With more than 50 attendees, including regional early childhood educators and providers, the morning was dedicated to sharing practical and useful skills and activities they can take back to their classrooms. These activities focus on fostering readiness, literacy, math development, and inclusion through the power of active music play.
As a district, we are dedicated to supporting our youngest learners and their families, offering programs that support optimum development so they are ready to succeed in kindergarten. Research shows that children exhibit continued success in school when they have early learning opportunities. It’s a pleasure to collaborate with our regional early childhood educators and offer a space to learn meaningful, evidence-based strategies while strengthening relationships and resources. Thanks to all who attended, and we look forward to seeing you again next year!
Preparation for Winter Weather Impacts
The changing leaves of fall serve as a visual reminder that winter is around the corner. It also signals the time of year to review and update our operational strategies in preparation for the first winter weather event. Learnings from last year’s record snowfall have been incorporated, and we continue to analyze potential efficiencies. For instance, this past summer, a TTUSD team met with partners from Placer County to dive deeper into how TTUSD and Placer County can continue to work together to keep bus routes clear and wide enough for school buses to transport students after a big snowstorm safely.
As a district, we will continue considering and utilizing all the tools in our “snow day toolbox,” including 2-hour delayed starts, minimum days, and full snow days if necessary. As a reminder, for a “Delayed Start,” all schools will begin 2 hours later and be released at the regular dismissal time. All delayed start school schedules can be found on our Delayed Start webpage, where you can also access the Master Bus Stop list, which shows bus pick-up times on the delayed start schedule.
Our goal is to have snow day, delayed start, or minimum day notifications on TTUSD.org and the TTUSD App by 5 a.m., in addition to phone calls, emails, and text messages sent out at 5 a.m. and 6 a.m., depending on your selected preference in Aeries. Please take this opportunity to make sure your notification settings in Aeries are up-to-date.
We don’t take the decision to cancel school lightly and, of course, as educators, understand the importance of keeping kids in school learning. But the safety of our students and staff must remain a top priority in the decision-making process. Let's keep our fingers crossed for lots of weekend snow this winter!
Facilities Master Plan In-Person Community Meetings
Thank you to the almost 1,200 survey participants who provided valuable insight regarding our next TTUSD Facilities Master Plan. We had a great mix of respondents, including families, students, staff, and community members. 25% of the responses were from our students - thanks for sharing your voice!
We continue to analyze the results, but some predominant themes included upgrades to our athletic infrastructure, expanding CTE classrooms and offerings, and moving students out of portables and into permanent structures.
The next step in this process is in-person community meetings, which we invite you to participate in. We’ll provide more detailed insights from the community survey and input received through focus groups with staff, administrators, community groups, and school site councils. Community members will also be able to see draft plans for each school site with outlined potential projects and have an opportunity to provide feedback. Both meetings, with dates and times listed below, will include Spanish interpretation services.
Lakeside
North Tahoe High School
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Truckee
Truckee High School, Cafeteria
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
We hope you can join us!
The Great ShakeOut Safety Drills
Every October, all TTUSD sites participate in the Great ShakeOut, an annual initiative encouraging earthquake safety. It involves conducting drills and updating emergency preparedness plans.
On October 19th at 10:19 a.m., all TTUSD staff and students practiced the Drop, Cover, and Hold On drill, a crucial response for earthquake emergencies. In addition to that, our district staff and administrators practiced how to work together in an emergency. Staff simulated a mock District Emergency Operations Center to practice the communication flow between individual school sites and the District Office in case of a real emergency.
This is just one of many drills our staff and students participate in throughout the school year. We understand that practice and preparedness are critical to ensure the safety of our school community.
Recurring Tech Tips for TTUSD Families
Technology has revolutionized students' learning, offering innovative tools and resources to enhance their educational experience. However, in addition to these benefits, ensuring the safety and well-being of students has been magnified exponentially in the digital age.
In the rapidly evolving world of technology, it’s hard to keep up with safety measures and the most reliable tools available. That’s where our dedicated Technology team can help! New this school year, they’ve created a Weekly Tech Tip with valuable information to help cut through the confusion and provide specific actions you can take to keep our children and community safe online.
The team has covered various topics, including setting up parental controls, safe social media use, cyberbullying awareness, and app privacy and permissions. As a reminder, TTUSD will only use official channels to schedule virtual meetings. One tip: to prevent spam and inappropriate video calls, we recommend parents set their children's iOS devices to accept Facetime calls from known contacts only. Follow Apple's instructions to set this up: https://apple.co/3Q3cu8W (English), https://bit.ly/3FmihS9 (Spanish).
Make sure to revisit our Tech Tips weekly for more excellent resources, and if there’s a specific topic you’d like us to cover, please contact our TTUSD Chief Technology Officer, Ed Hilton, at ehilton@ttusd.org.
Bringing in Regional Ingredients During Farm to School Month (and Every Month!)
Good nutrition and learning go hand in hand. Our team of food and nutrition professionals is dedicated to student health well-being, and promoting healthy habits for lifelong nutrition.
Our 27-person Food Services team serves approximately 4,500 meals between 12 school sites daily. Beginning in 2012, TTUSD began implementing scratch cooking, which means we prepare meals with fresh ingredients made on-site. This model promotes local food sourcing while supporting sustainability efforts in waste reduction and a lowered environmental impact. Plus, it tastes delicious!
October is Farm to School Month, a national observance dedicated to celebrating and promoting connections between schools and local food systems. Although we incorporate these practices year-round, it’s always nice to take a moment and share these efforts.
Did you know?
TTUSD purchases local and organic produce, grains, legumes, and meats from vendors within 150 miles of TTUSD school boundaries, and the food purchased is California-grown.
Milk served through our milk dispensers is hormone-free, from humanely raised cattle, and from Clover Dairies in Sonoma, which is committed to reducing its impact on the climate.
TTUSD prioritizes sourcing ingredients from farms that utilize regenerative farming practices. These farms focus on improving and restoring the health of the soil, ecosystems, and biodiversity while producing food.
To bring these quality, local ingredients to our students, it takes the hard work and dedication of many partners, including Produce Plus, Tahoe Food Hub, and SWEP, to name a few. Thanks to all who have been a part of this evolving journey. We look forward to expanding these practices and instilling a love and appreciation of healthy, local food. And follow @ttusdfood on Instagram to see the wonderful meals being served!
Community Partner Spotlight | Tahoe Food Hub
In the spirit of Farm to School Month, we’d like to highlight our extraordinary partner, the Tahoe Food Hub. Their mission is to build a food system that supports regenerative farming practices and creates fair market opportunities for family farms by increasing local food access for our mountain community. They support 50 local farms, have distributed 15,000 giving boxes since March 2020 to community members facing food insecurity, and partner with TTUSD to bring locally farmed food to our schools.
TTUSD Food Services and Tahoe Food Hub received a 2-year grant in April 2023 that supports a number of exciting initiatives tied into farm to school education. That includes students being able to visit regional farms, farmers coming into our TTUSD classrooms, and continuing to support local farms in our region by purchasing their wonderful produce.
Upcoming Important Dates
October 23 - 27 | Elementary and Middle School Minimum Days for Conference Week
October 27, 28 & November 3, 4 | Truckee High School Fall Play, The Importance of Being Earnest
November 8 | North Tahoe High School Open House
November 10 | Veteran’s Day Holiday, No School
November 11 | Donner Trail Elementary Thanksgiving Dinner
November 14 | Sierra High School Credit Updates
November 17 | End of First Trimester
November 22 - 24 | Thanksgiving Break, No School