TTUSD District Update

• A Message from the Superintendent

• District Strategic Plan Framework

Academic Achievement

• Data Confirmation in Aeries

• Measure AA Back-to-School Impacts

• Welcoming our New TTUSD Educators

• Academic Achievement Tip -

Support Systems

• Join the TTUSD Team

• Transportation Update

• Free Meals Continue!

Community Connections

• Back to School Nights

• Community Partner Spotlight | Truckee Tahoe Workforce Housing Agency

Dear TTUSD Community,

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! As your new Superintendent Chief Learning Officer, it brings me immense joy and pride to extend the warmest of welcomes to the exciting school year ahead. You and your family are part of an amazing school district! Your partnership as a parent and community member is a key element for your child’s growth and our district’s success.

I am honored to begin my journey as Superintendent Chief Learning Officer. I want to express my gratitude for the warm reception and support I have received so far. Over the last three months, I’ve been engaged in a Listening and Learning Tour where I’ve spent quality time with members of the TTUSD team, School Board members, and community partners to get direct feedback on the district’s areas of strength and growth opportunities. I will continue this tour throughout the year, meeting with more staff members and the broader TTUSD community, including students and parents, to ensure all voices are being heard and that, as a district, our efforts align with students’ needs. I believe that a strong educational community is built on the foundation of collaboration and communication.

As your superintendent, I want to assure you that we are collectively committed to providing the best possible educational experience for every student. Our exceptional team of dedicated teachers, support staff, and administrators is ready to engage and empower all of our students to achieve their potential.

I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead, and I look forward to building meaningful connections with each of you. Please know that my door is always open, and I am eager to hear your thoughts, feedback, and aspirations for our educational community.

And to our students, I hope you all have a wonderful first week of school!

Sincerely,

Kerstin Kramer

Superintendent Chief Learning Officer

At the end of the last school year, our School Board approved an updated 2023- 2026 District Strategic Plan Framework, which included input from Trustees, leadership teams, teachers, staff, students, families, and community partners. Throughout the planning process, we repeatedly heard how much our community values our schools, teachers, staff, and the local area in which we are fortunate to live.

The overall strategic framework has been organized around the following foundational statement to help the District focus its efforts and encompass the spirit of our strategy for the next three years as we work together to:

Engage and Empower Students, Educators, and Staff to Achieve their Potential

Within the Strategic Plan Framework, there are three areas of strategic focus - Academic Achievement, Support Systems, and Community Connections. Throughout the year, within this newsletter, we’ll provide academic and wellness tips that we hope will resonate with you and provide actionable items you can do at home to enhance your student’s experience and support our greater collective mission.

One of the first steps in preparing your students for the new year is to ensure their 2023-2024 data confirmation has been completed before the first day of school. Likely you’ve already seen messages on completing the process, but you can also find information here. Parents and guardians must complete data confirmation online in the Aeries Parent Portal each school year. Our paperless process supports our continued commitment to environmental sustainability.

We ask that you complete this process by August 28, 2023. Please contact Chelsea Walterscheid, cwalterscheid@ttusd.org, in our Information Services Department, or your child’s school secretary if you have any questions or need assistance in the Parent Portal.

The incredible community backing for TTUSD students takes numerous forms, including the support provided through Measure AA funding. This modest, annual, fixed parcel tax of $148 provides indispensable financial support for a variety of essential programs that contribute to a comprehensive education beyond what’s possible with basic funding covered under regular or state revenue.

Apart from sustaining programs like music, art, physical education, technology, counseling, nursing, science, Advanced Placement, and college preparation, Measure AA also allocates resources for instructional materials, equipment, and supplies. That means families need to purchase very little school supplies before the start of the year.

Approximately $80 per student is allocated to each TTUSD school for instructional materials and supplies due to our community's investment in our TTUSD scholars. Individual schools will communicate any recommended materials, but thanks to our incredible community, school supplies will be supplied as needed throughout the year.

This week we had the pleasure of welcoming more than 30 new teachers, counselors and administrators to the TTUSD family during our annual New Educator Academy. The annual event is dedicated to providing new staff members valuable information, district insights, and an opportunity to begin building community connections so they can embark on their TTUSD journey with confidence.

As the school year begins, please join us in extending a warm welcome to all of our new educators. We’re thrilled to have them as team members and are confident they’ll bring new perspectives, innovative ideas, and an unwavering commitment to supporting all our TTUSD scholars.

We are looking for great people to join the TTUSD team!

Working for TTUSD is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our students and community, and there are excellent benefits too! We’re looking to fill critical positions immediately, including bus drivers, special education and transitional kindergarten instructional assistants, and custodians. Training is available for many of our open positions, and many align with student school schedules.

All job opportunities can be found at www.TTUSDJobs.com. For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact our HR department at (530) 582-2580, where you can speak with a representative in either English or Spanish.

As a district, we hope to provide busing for all families that need transportation. However, there may be situations that require us to limit services. At the start of the 2023-2024 school year, we are able to offer the same routes provided last spring. We will continue recruitment efforts in the hope of adding additional drivers, with the continued aim of expanding our route offerings.

To secure a seat on a bus, families were asked to submit a new bus pass application by July 30, 2023. Students must show a current 2023-2024 bus pass every time they get on a bus which allows them to board and travel. At this time, all bus pass holders have been assigned to the closest and safest bus stop in relation to their home address.

Same-day changes to other bus stops are not permitted. Prior approval from the transportation office is required. Additionally, if approved, the parent must send a note with their child to present to the bus driver.

If you have any questions on bus services, please feel free to reach out to Melissa Giannetto, our Transportation Administrative Assistant, at (530) 550-0745 x20585 or via email at mgiannetto@ttusd.org.

Every student in California is entitled to receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each day, thanks to California’s “free meals for all” policy. Although not required, we strongly encourage families to complete the benefits meal application annually, which can be accessed all year long during the student data confirmation process in Aeries or on our website. Doing so could lead to additional benefits, such as free after-school care, free or discounted internet services, waived or reduced AP and college application fees, sponsorship opportunities, and access to CalFresh EBT food cards.

Speaking of school meals, the most current monthly calendars are always available on our website, complete with links that connect you to further details. Under the leadership of Kat Soltanmorad, Director of Food & Nutrition Services, and her exceptional team, many of the meals are meticulously prepared from scratch. They go the extra mile to source local, organic produce and collaborate with regional farms and ranches, ensuring the highest quality ingredients for all TTUSD students. For an inside look, be sure to follow @ttusdfood on Instagram!

Even though school hasn’t quite started, it’s time to mark your calendars for our Back to School Nights. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet your student’s teachers, get helpful tips on a successful school year, and connect with the broader TTUSD community.

Elementary Schools

Donner Trail | September 21, 2023 | 5:30pm - 7pm

Glenshire Elementary (TK - 2nd Grade) | September 12, 2023 | 5:30pm - 7pm

Glenshire Elementary (3rd - 5th Grades) | September 7, 2023 | 5:30pm - 7pm

Kings Beach Elementary | September 14, 2023 | 5:30pm - 7pm

Tahoe Lake Elementary | September 7, 2023 | 5:30pm - 7pm

Truckee Elementary | September 21, 2022 | 5:30pm - 7pm

Middle Schools

Alder Creek Middle School | September 19, 2023 | 5:30pm - 7pm

North Tahoe School | September 26, 2023 | 5pm - 7pm

High Schools

North Tahoe High School | September 12, 2023 | 5:30pm - 8pm

Truckee High School | September 14, 2022 | 5:15pm - 8pm

Sierra High School Credit Updates | November 14, 2023

As a school district, we are incredibly fortunate to be backed by a variety of supportive community partnerships that truly enhance the way we serve our students and their families. With this in mind, each month, we’d like to shine a spotlight on a few of these remarkable organizations that contribute to and elevate what we do.

This month, we’re excited to introduce you to the Truckee Tahoe Workforce Housing Agency (TTWHA). As a school district and employer of over 600 individuals, we take immense pride in being a founding member of this agency, established in 2020. TTWHA is backed by financial support from seven major community public entities, representing 2,300 employees collectively, and is dedicated to providing housing assistance to the entire Truckee-Tahoe workforce. Here at TTUSD, we recognize that our educators and staff form the bedrock of all our achievements and are crucial in providing a quality educational experience to our students.

TTWHA is a friendly go-to resource for all things related to Truckee-Tahoe housing. They offer general housing support, home rental assistance, and navigating the pathway to home ownership. They are dedicated to assisting both our regional workforce and TTUSD employees at every step of the way. To learn more about their critical services within our community, visit ttjpa.org and feel free to reach out for any housing assistance at (530) 582-6593 or info@ttjpa.org.

Thank you, TTWHA, for all your hard work and dedication to our community!

August 28 | Glenshire Elementary New Family Breakfast & TK and Kindergarten Meet and Greet

August 28 | Kings Beach Elementary Kindergarten Welcome Back Meet and Greet

August 28 | North Tahoe School 6th Grade WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) Orientation

August 28 | Tahoe Lake Elementary TK and Kindergarten Meet and Greet

August 29 | First Day of School

September 4 | No School, Labor Day

September 13 | All Schools Minimum Day