On the Friday before mid-winter break, I relived my principaling days as the substitute leader of Bel Aire, while the real principal, John DiCosmo, was in Anaheim with a district and site contingent to receive their Distinguished School recognition. It was so enjoyable to be on the campus as a crossing guard, lunchtime supervisor, nutrition worker, and playground monitor. I also had a chance to be serenaded by the lunchtime percussion group under the remarkable Mr. Gist. All the most fun stuff happens at our schools!

The district's ace Director of Maintenance and Operations, Eduardo Muñoz reports that we have no roof leaks or drainage issues at district sites despite the deluges we have experienced. We appreciate the hard work of Mr. Muñoz and our maintenance and operations team.

One of the many, many things I really like and appreciate about Reed schools is how parents/guardians are so involved. Whether it is the leaders of PTA and the The Foundation for Reed Schools or those who come midday to help serve students food, or others, Reed schools are better because folks are on campus and know what is really happening. The best parents/guardians I have encountered not only care deeply about their own student's success, but they also care about EVERY student's success. The level of support and community ownership of schools that I see here is not present in every community.

As families with school aged children and those that serve them, we live by a schedule that differs from those guided by a standard or fiscal calendar. We're now entering a six week push to Spring Break. Here's hoping that we fall into a productive and enjoyable routine of growth and inquiry.

On we go!

Kevin Skelly, Ph.D.
Interim Superintendent

From Brian Lynch, Director of Student Services

We hope that you enjoyed your time off. We are excited to welcome our students back to school. This Mid-Winter Break is planned strategically for our community. RUSD structures our calendar to allow for families to spend time together and to coordinate travel without missing school days. We maintain posting of our Board-adopted calendar on our District Website, now updated with information on the next school year as well. Unfortunately, RUSD has seen an increase in student absenteeism that began prior to the Pandemic and continues today. We are concerned that some of our students are unable to fully access all that we have to offer due to missing school. We are looking to our community for insight into improving student attendance to ensure each student has optimal opportunities to reach their highest potential.

Research shows a correlation between higher student achievement and positive attendance. Infrequent attendance, even in early elementary school years, is associated with negative outcomes in late adolescence and adulthood. When students are not in school, they miss strategic instruction and social learning experiences with their teachers and peers that can create gaps in learning. While some academic skills can be recouped at home, the social and emotional components of learning are not replicable in the home setting. Students with infrequent attendance can fall behind their peers academically and in their social-emotional skills development. Motivation to “catch up” can be hindered when negative feelings are associated with being behind peers in understanding of content and experiences. Peer-connection can be difficult with underdeveloped social skills that limits a student’s ability to make, and retain, friendships. When students are lacking in academic skills and positive connections, they can develop a negative self-concept that extends beyond the K-12 school setting.

RUSD believes in supporting students' social-emotional wellbeing and mental health. We actively provide academic intervention and positive behavior strategies to mitigate negative effects on learning and self-concept. RUSD implements inclusive practices and celebrates all students. We strive to have our schools be a welcome environment for students to learn and be accepted for who they are. We need our students with us at school to implement these plans and programs with maximum effectiveness.

RUSD feels that the best way we can address absenteeism is to have reciprocal communication with our community. We strive to keep our families informed both through general information, such as this newsletter, daily communication for absence and through data review with direct notification of infrequent attendance at three designated intervals during the school year for attendance improvement. RUSD wants to learn more from you about your family’s experience with school attendance so that we can assess, adjust and address needs in our community to improve our students’ access to school. You can help us learn more about attendance in RUSD by completing this brief survey: RUSD Attendance Survey.

Thank you for supporting RUSD!

SAVE THE DATES FOR SPRING EVENTS!

Friday 4/28 - Boutiques, Bites, & Bubbles!

Saturday 5/6 - Gala - Sit Down Dinner, Dancing, Auction!

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

We need lots of help making these events successful.

Throw a Sign Up Party! Become a Corporate Sponsor! Donate to our Silent or Live Auction!

More information on how to help and events details can be found on our website HERE.

Tickets will go on sale at the end of March.

Interested in finding out what a Sign Up Party is like? There is room in a few from last year that are coming up soon - you can check them out and sign up HERE.

Our parent phone bank is happening next week. If you haven't made a pledge or donation yet, save your fellow parents a call by clicking HERE today!

PTA Nominating Committee for 2023 Officers

The Nominating Committee is currently meeting to develop a slate of PTA officers for the following open positions, each with a two year term:

District President
District Secretary
Bel Aire Site Chair
Bel Aire Treasurer
Del Mar Treasurer

If you are interested in one of these leadership positions, or would like to nominate someone else, please contact any of the Nominating Committee members - Dana Berhoff, Rachel Berman, Jennifer Feldman, Rebecca Hermanski & Wendy Martin.

RUSD Mission & Vision: Each student will be challenged and inspired to reach their fullest intellectual, social-emotional and creative potential to positively impact the world.

Dr. Kevin Skelly, Interim Superintendent

Tel: 415-381-1112

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