TTUSD District Update
Back to School 2024
In this Month's Newsletter
A Message from the Superintendent
District Strategic Plan Check-In
Academic Achievement
- Please Complete Parent Data Confirmation in Aeries
- District Reclassification Celebrations are Coming Up
- Every Day Counts - Let’s Start the Year on the Right Foot!
- Academic Achievement Tip | Back to School Success
Support Systems
- Enhancing Our Schools with Measure AA
- New Volunteer Management System Streamlines Volunteering
- Free Meals for All Students
- Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Tip | Self-Awareness STOP Method
Community Connections
- Back to School Nights are Around the Corner
- Excellence in Education Honors Outstanding TTUSD Employees
- Upcoming Important Dates
A Message from the Superintendent
Welcome Back TTUSD Families,
The 2024-2025 school year is here, and I’m excited about what lies ahead! I hope you all had an opportunity to enjoy the summer months and fit in some rest, rejuvenation, and exploration, whether in our amazing Tahoe-Truckee community or beyond.
I want to express my sincere gratitude to our incredible summer staff for their dedication to TTUSD students. Their hard work created enriching and fun experiences that significantly impacted our students’ lives. Below you can see a few photos from our Special Education Extended School Year session. With five classes, serving 33 students ranging from preschool to 12th-grade, students continued skill instruction in academics, daily living, communication, gross and fine motor skills, collaborative free-time activities, water play, community outings, and more!
We are also immensely grateful to our community partners, Aim High, Adventure Risk Challenge (ARC), and the Boys and Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe, for their partnership. Their collaboration has fostered a vibrant and supportive learning environment for so many of our students.
As we begin the 2024-2025 school year, I encourage everyone to embrace the opportunities for growth, learning, and connection that lie ahead. Our strong foundation is built on collaboration, innovation, and a shared passion for student success. I know that together, we will create a school year filled with inspiration, achievement, and lasting memories.
Check out our Welcome to the 2024-2025 School Year Video, which shows TTUSD students enjoying the first week of school!
Superintendent Kerstin Kramer
District Strategic Plan Check-In
As we embark on the 2024-2025 school year, we’re excited to continue sharing progress on our three-year Strategic Plan. Our Year Two action items, reviewed by the TTUSD Board of Trustees on August 18, 2024, build upon last year’s successes and continue to advance our priorities in Academic Achievement, Support Systems, and Community Connections. Check out Superintendent Kramer’s presentation.
We'll provide regular updates in this newsletter to ensure transparency and keep you informed about our progress.
For example, action item 1.1.1, within Academic Achievement, is to implement a new math curriculum with fidelity to improve tier 1 instruction and equitable outcomes. In July, the Board adopted the Eureka Math2 curriculum for elementary schools and the Carnegie Math curriculum for middle and high schools.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with these new curricula by exploring the following resources:
To further support student success, we're hosting family math nights in October. More details will be coming soon!
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to sharing updates throughout the year.
Please Complete Parent Data Confirmation in Aeries
Thank you to all our families who have already completed parent data confirmation in Aeries. If you haven’t done it, there’s still time! It’s incredibly important—it’s where you update emergency contact information and communication preferences, and the information you provide could potentially qualify your family for additional benefits.
Log in to our parent portal or visit our website to get started, then follow these step-by-step instructions.
District Reclassification Celebrations are Coming Up
We're thrilled to share that we will celebrate our outstanding English Learner (EL) students who achieved Reclassified Fluent English Proficient (RFEP) status last year!
Reclassification is a significant accomplishment, and we want to honor the hard work and dedication these students have invested in mastering the English language.
Truckee-Side Schools Celebration
Lakeside Schools Celebration
Please join us in congratulating these outstanding EL students and their incredible achievements!
Every Day Counts - Let’s Start the Year on the Right Foot!
Consistent attendance is the foundation for academic success. When students are in school, they can fully engage in learning, build strong relationships with peers, and develop essential life skills. Research shows that even a few missed days can impact a student's academic performance.
Last year, we made significant strides in improving attendance and reducing suspensions—thank you for your partnership in these efforts! TTUSD is now well below both the California and national chronic absenteeism numbers, which is great news! But there is still more work to be done.
Let’s work together to reach our goal of a 10% reduction in chronic absenteeism this year!
Moving forward, we’ll include attendance information in this monthly newsletter and look for monthly mailers that will provide additional tips and resources.
We also invite you to watch Dr. Annamarie Cohen, Executive Director of Student Services, presentation on attendance from a recent board meeting.
By working together, we can create a school environment where every student is present and engaged.
Enhancing Our Schools with Measure AA
Our community's support for TTUSD students shines in many ways, including the vital funding provided by Measure AA. This dedicated parcel tax of $148 per year offers invaluable resources that enrich our student's educational experience beyond the basics covered by state funding.
Thanks to Measure AA, we can maintain essential programs like music, art, physical education, technology, counseling, nursing, science, Advanced Placement, and college preparation. Plus, it funds instructional materials, equipment, and supplies - including most back-to-school supplies!
The Measure AA Citizens Oversight Committee reviews how these funds are used to ensure transparency and accountability. This committee represents our community and works to ensure tax dollars are spent wisely.
Want to get involved? Join us at the next Measure AA Citizens Oversight Committee meetings on October 22 and December 17 from 3:45-4:45 p.m. to learn more. There are two locations for each meeting, please join us in the location most convenient for you.
TTUSD District Office: Conference Room A, 11603 Donner Pass Rd., Truckee
North Tahoe High School: Library, 2945 Polaris Rd., Tahoe City
Thank you to our Tahoe-Truckee Community and Measure AA!
New Volunteer Management System Streamlines Volunteering
We’re excited to announce a new Volunteer Management System (VMS) through Voluntas as we continue to find opportunities to make volunteering easier for families while maintaining student safety.
Please note that if you are a cleared volunteer who has already completed the fingerprinting process, you’ll need to create an account in the new system by September 6, 2024, for that information to roll over.
What You Need to Know:
Account Creation: All volunteers must create an account in the new VMS. Register Now!
Screening Requirements: Depending on the type of volunteer role you apply for, specific requirements will automatically populate in your user dashboard.
Already Cleared? If you’ve previously completed the fingerprinting process with TTUSD, you do not need to re-fingerprint as long as you create your account by September 6, 2024.
Badge System: Once registered, you will swipe your driver’s license or ID at the school office upon arrival. A name badge will be printed and must be worn during your time on campus.
If you have any questions or need help with the new system, please contact help@voluntasvms.com.
Free Meals for All Students
Thanks to California’s “universal meals for all” program, every student in TTUSD receives a free breakfast and lunch daily. While not required, completing the annual meal application can unlock additional support, including before and after-school care and college application and testing fee waivers. You can find the application in Aeries or on our website.
Our Food & Nutrition Services Chefs create delicious and nutritious meals from scratch using local and organic ingredients when possible.Check out our monthly meal calendars online and follow @ttusdfood on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look.
Back to School Nights are Around the Corner
It’s time to mark your calendars for Back to School Nights. These are excellent opportunities to meet your student’s teachers, get helpful tips on a successful school year, and connect with the broader TTUSD community - we hope you’ll join us!
Elementary Schools
Donner Trail | September 11, 2024 | 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Glenshire Elementary (TK - 2nd Grade) | September 10, 2024 | 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Glenshire Elementary (3rd - 5th Grades) | September 3, 2024 | 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Kings Beach Elementary | September 12, 2024 | 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Tahoe Lake Elementary | September 17, 2024 | 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Truckee Elementary | September 9, 2024 | 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Middle Schools
Alder Creek Middle School | September 5, 2024 | 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
North Tahoe School | September 24, 2024 | 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
High Schools
North Tahoe High School | September 11, 2024 | 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Truckee High School | September 12, 2024 | 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Excellence in Education Honors Outstanding TTUSD Employees
On August 23, the Tahoe Truckee Excellence in Education Foundation recognized exceptional teachers and staff for their outstanding contributions to our students. Nominated by their peers, parents, and students, these individuals exemplify dedication, creativity, and innovation in education.
We are thrilled to congratulate the following teachers who received a Linda Brown Fellows award, which includes a $1,000 personal award and a $2,000 grant for their classroom or school.
Mike Bensley, Truckee High School
Brittany Rose, Glenshire Elementary School
Jaime Schwartz, Kings Beach Elementary
Heidi Bushway Verkler, North Tahoe School
Dawn Rye, Tahoe Lake Elementary
Additionally, we celebrate the Star Award recipients, classified staff members who go above and beyond to provide truly outstanding support. They each received a $1,000 personal award.
Alicia Benevides, Kings Beach Elementary
Bernard Cirullo, District Maintenance
Ramon Delfin, Tahoe Lake Elementary
Kelly Frankenberg, Tahoe Lake Elementary
Cassie Frock, North Tahoe School
These honorees are instrumental in creating inspiring and supportive learning environments for our students. Their hard work and passion are invaluable to our school district.
Upcoming Important Dates
September 5 | Alder Creek Middle School Back to School Night
September 6 | Deadline to create an account in new volunteer system so fingerprints carry over
September 9 | Truckee Elementary Back to School Night
September 10 | Glenshire Elementary (TK-2) Back to School Night
September 11 | Donner Trail Elementary Back to School Night
September 11 | North Tahoe High School Back to School Night
September 12 | Kings Beach Elementary Back to School Night
September 12 | Truckee High School Back to School Night
September 17 | Tahoe Lake Elementary Back to School Night
September 17 | Truckee Side District Reclassification Celebration
September 18 | All Schools Minimum Day
September 19 | Lakeside District Reclassification Celebration
September 24 | North Tahoe School Back to School Night
