PVUSD Poised to Impact Student Learning During 2017-18

By Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, Superintendent

As we launch into the 2017-18 school year on August 16, PVUSD leadership has a singular and coherent focus on student success. Achieving this mission will involve cultivating collaborative cultures, focusing direction, securing accountability, deepening learning, and ensuring all students are college and career ready upon graduation. Below we highlight significant investments we are making to ensure our students have a world-class education.

Advancing Academic Achievement

Our top priority is to expand opportunities and access to high quality learning environments. This summer, thousands of students have engaged for the first time in:

• Hands on Science Learning with the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
• Coding training with Education Training Research (ETR)
• Performing arts experiences with West Theatre and Tandy Beal Dance Company
• Expanded credit recovery completion by 867 secondary students
• Newly established Freshmen Bridge Program at Watsonville High to support students’ transition to high 
school

For the upcoming school year, many innovative programs will be introduced to our schools:

• Edward James Olmo’s award winning Latino Film Institute Youth Cinema Project at Starlight 
Elementary and Cesar Chavez Middle schools
• El Sistema of Santa Cruz is providing music instruction at Radcliff Elementary.
• Paso a Paso: Creciendo Juntos (Step by Step: Growing Together) to support early literacy for preschool 
through 3rd grade as well as for all children and families in our community
• College and Career Centers are being supported at all three comprehensive high schools; Aptos High 
School will be included for the first time this year
• VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts) program expansion to include music offerings at all middle schools

Investing in Human Resources

Since February, PVUSD has been engaged in recruitment efforts to ensure students are taught by high quality staff. In addition we are:

• Continuing to on-board new staff through a new teacher orientation
• Launching a Human Resources site visitation with all new teachers to support a seamless transition into 
their teaching profession
• Working diligently to reduce teacher vacancies to only approximately 30, many that will be filled before 
school starts
• Offering “Voice and Choice” Professional Development days to support building of teacher capacity; Teachers will be able to select their topic for professional learning days.
• Implementing four benefits committee approved additional medical plans for employees.

Improving Learning Environments with Maintenance and Facilities

We are dedicated to continually improving the learning environment for students. This year, our students will be welcomed into many modernized and renovated facilities. The District completed 50 modernization projects at 23 schools this summer. Some highlights include:

• Aptos High School: lighted walkway and updated 21st Century Library
• Mar Vista: new portables and replacement of fire alarm system
• HA Hyde: new portables and communication center building
• Mintie White: updated façade
• Rolling Hills: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) laboratory

We believe our learning environments extend beyond the classroom, therefore we have:

• Placed hot spots for Wi-Fi access on long-ride buses to facilitate digital literacy and student learning 
with Chromebooks
• Began a pilot program to find green fuel alternatives for buses
• Installed GPS on all buses
• Implemented Z-pass system on buses to increase efficacy and safety of student loading and unloading

Serving the Whole Child

PVUSD values a holistic approach based on meaningful relationships to achieve student success. To accomplish this goal, the following initiatives are moving forward:

• Lead counselor position to facilitate mobilization of resources to support wrap around services
• New Socio-Emotional Counselors at alternative secondary sites to support our most fragile students
• Professional development for teachers and staff on mindfulness
• Positive behavior training at all sites to support innovative disciplinary practices
• Nutrition enhancement through salad bars at all highs schools
• California Thursdays for fresh meal choices at all high schools
• Harvest of the Month program expanded to K-12
• New pre-school assessment clinic and full time administrator at Special Education site Duncan Holbert

We will ensure student success through providing high quality learning environments, expanding parent and community partnerships, and maintaining quality staff. We invite the community to visit our schools to see the exciting work that we are doing and the innovative programs we are implementing. We will continue to place students’ learning at the center of all decisions.

PVUSD Schools: Amesti • Ann Soldo • Bradley • Calabasas • Freedom • H.A. Hyde • Hall District • Landmark • MacQuiddy • Mar Vista • Mintie White • Ohlone • Radcliff • Rio Del Mar • Starlight • Valencia • Aptos Jr. High • Cesar E. Chavez • E.A. Hall • Lakeview • Pajaro Middle • Rolling Hills • Aptos High • Pajaro Valley High • Watsonville High • Renaissance High • New School • Academic Vocational Charter Institute • Alianza Charter • Ceiba Charter • Linscott Charter • Pacific Coast Charter • Watsonville Charter School of the Arts • Watsonville/Aptos Adult Education