School begins on Aug 21 for students in Glendale Unified School District (GUSD), but there are some changes afoot district-wide including ongoing construction at CVHS.

By Mary O’KEEFE

During the 2023-24 school year at Crescenta Valley High School, its track and field was closed to the public as construction began of stadium seating on the campus. Originally the construction was to be completed by June’s commencement ceremony; however, there were delays though the CVHS administration was optimistic that construction would be finished during the summer. Unfortunately, it is still not completed. According to GUSD Superintendent Darneika Watson, completion of the project is now scheduled for December.

There are other changes in the district; perhaps the biggest will be for students and parents of the youngest learners.

“We are excited for the full day kinder expansion,” Watson said.

Kindergarten, which has traditionally been on a half-day schedule, is now a full day. The school day ends about 20 minutes prior to class ending for first graders. Start and end times may vary slightly depending on the school site.

The district has also adjusted the age requirements for TK (transitional kindergarten). Children who are 5 years old by June 2 will attend TK and those 5 years old by Sept. 2 will attend kindergarten. All schools in Crescenta Valley have TK available; the only school in the district still waiting to implement a TK program is Mark Keppel Elementary. Watson said the administration has worked with teachers to see what the needs would be to develop a full-day kindergarten curriculum.

“We didn’t have to increase class size but added more resources and extra support [for teachers],” she said.

GUSD added extra supervision inside and outside the classrooms and new areas for curriculum play. A majority of school districts throughout the state have implemented this extended day program and the GUSD board has been discussing having it for a few years.

Watson added the district’s LCAP (Local Control and Accountability Plan) is to make certain students are grade level proficient, or above grade level, in math by the end of elementary school and in reading by third grade.

Getting to proficiency levels has been a focus for the entire state where students continue to recover from the pandemic where virtual learning was the norm.

Watson added the district has also made a goal for all students to complete the A to G requirements and/or a CTE (Career Technical Education) pathway and are career ready.

A to G requirements are the minimum admission requirements to enter state colleges and universities. To meet these requirements students must complete: (A) history/social science, two years required; (B) English, four years required; (C) math, three years required, four years recommended; (D) laboratory science, two years required, three to four years recommended; (E) foreign language, two years required, three to four years recommended; (F) visual and performing arts, one year required; (G) college preparatory elective, one year required.

CTE is an educational pathway program of study that involves a multiyear sequence of courses that integrates core academic knowledge with technical and occupational knowledge to provide students with a pathway to postsecondary education and careers, according to the California Dept. of Education.

School counselors help students remain on track to achieve these goals.

Another focus of the district administration and teachers is chronic absenteeism. This is a statewide issue but is also a big problem for the district.

“Teachers have done great work with chronic absenteeism,” Watson said.

She added the primary level is where they are seeing the most absences.

“We intend to work on these needs as it pertains to the absences,” she said.

The administration and teachers will be working on outreach to families and students about how absenteeism affects the students, district and classrooms.

“We will have [discussions] at back-to-school nights and [share] what data tells us,” Watson added.

They will also share how many days equal “chronic” absenteeism.

District-wide there will be a continued focus on developing the “culture of care” and address “hate speech” on campuses.

Watson added the message and focus of chronic absenteeism, hate speech and positive culture will be the same for all schools within the district.

Watson is beginning her second school year as superintendent. During her first year she made a point of visiting schools and getting to know students; moving forward she plans to continue to do more of the same.

“I am super excited about [this school year]. We have had a lot of changes for the positive,” she said. “I am glad to continue to build and grow.”

Ask anyone who has been at a school site when Watson arrives and they will tell you of her positive attitude and smile when she greets students. She has even been known to join dance classes.

“This community has been so welcoming,” she said.

GUSD is also offering an opportunity for students to receive physicals and immunizations through Comprehensive Community Health Center’s (CCHC) mobile screening van. There are two opportunities left prior to the first day of school: Aug. 14 and Aug. 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the GUSD office, 223 N. Jackson St. in Glendale. Students must have an appointment. There is a standard fee of $40 for the visit. For more information or to make an appointment, contact Samantha Chavez at (818) 630-2213 or email samanthac@cchccenters.org. CCHC offers sports physicals, physical exams and immunizations.