OCTOBER 28TH, 2022
Good Evening Students, Parents and Staff of the Woodland Hills School District Community,
It is really hard to believe that next week begins the final two months of 2022. Where did the year go? Since the days seem to move by so quickly, I thought I would take a minute and touch base on our school year. This week I had the opportunity to hold an All-Parent Meeting at Administration and also a Student Advisory Meeting at the High School. Both provided a wealth of information and context from the student and parent perspective. My goal is to continue to hold these meetings monthly to engage all stakeholders in honest, fair communication. Our most valuable resource, our students, showed true leadership and I am still amazed at how involved all of them were in ALL our High School has to offer.
As a result of those meetings, several action items are already in motion. Here are a few:
- First Student Transportation is finalizing the GPS app for parents that we hope to have in place before Thanksgiving Break.
- Krise Transportation is working to arrange a 4 p.m. Activity Bus run for students Monday through Thursday at the High School. Students feel this will increase club participation.
- Ms. Garrity and Mr. Kim built the system so we can now ‘All Call’ specific parents about bus runs being interrupted. Please remember there is also a WH Transportation Facebook page.
- Several bus stops are being evaluated for the recommended adding of Crossing Guards.
- A proposal for a Work Study program for High School students to assist with afternoon bus runs and stops is being reviewed.
- Pregame music at athletic events is being more carefully scrutinized.
- Student recommended facility improvements are being analyzed and cost estimates will be received.
- Several clubs needing sponsors are being advertised.
- A plan for Peer Tutoring and increased Math Labs in conjunction with the 4 p.m. buses is being considered.
In addition to these and other recommendations from our students and community, we were finally able to install the security upgrades to all of our campuses. Supply chain issues slowed the delivery on most of the equipment. This week we finished the exterior alarm system on all school building doors, so each school now has only one point of entrance after morning arrival. The office receives an alert when any door is opened for any reason so we can closely monitor access. Also, you will notice the Guard Booth being installed at the High School which will screen anyone attempting to enter campus. It looks tight, but we are widening the road to allow for two-way traffic in and out of the building. The other measures are internal for staff, and items that came as recommendations after our ALICE training this summer led by Sergeant Livingston, from the Edgewood Police Department.
Last, our aggressive STEM education plan through Vex Robotics is moving along as planned. We had our expected bumps in the road but with the help of some great Lead Teachers, Mr. Eddie Willson, and our consultant Mr. Jason McKenna, we are making a great program for students! The future computer science innovators are walking our halls
A reminder that Monday, November 7th and Tuesday, November 8th are No School days for all students. We look forward to seeing everyone at Parent-Teacher Conferences on Monday the 7th.
Please have a fun and safe Halloween weekend…what an exciting time of year for our little ones!
I look forward to seeing you all soon…
Yours in Public Education!
Dr. Daniel R. Castagna