
Because of bad driving conditions and multiple power outages throughout the district, Willitst unified schools will be closed today.

Weather Update! Based on the expected conditions, WUSD will not have any on-site instruction on Wednesday the 27th. However, unless there is a power outage at home online instruction will continue on Wednesday as normal.

Parents and Students: We are still operating under our Seemless Summer program. Anyone who is 18 years old or younger, enrolled or not, can receive at no cost a breakfast and/or lunch. Households can pick up to five days at a time including weekends. Meals can be picked up at the Willits High School cafeteria Monday through Friday from 8am to 2 PM. Deliveries are available upon request on a daily or weekly basis. During winter break, meals can be picked up Monday and Tuesday, December 21st and 22nd and Monday and Tuesday the 28th and 29th from 8 to 2 PM. You can call the cafeteria to set up delivery or with any questions you may have at 707-459-7700 ex 1555.

Here is the link to the Spanish Version of the Parent Survey on reopening.
https://forms.gle/qpe4rKuCHWmHo5Hu6

So far WUSD has only received responses representing 370 of approximately 1500 students in the district. In order for us to get a clearer picture of your wishes, we must hear from more of our families. Below are the current results. If you have not filled out the survey please click on this link. https://www.willitsunified.com/o/wusd/page/school-reopening

WUSD has developed a draft plan with input from administration and teachers on how to reopen schools safely. I expect that this plan will have changes to it as time, data and procedures change. A major goal before coming back on site is to develop a viable academic plan, share it with our parents and then poll our parents to determine who wants to send their students back to on-site learning. Without question, WUSD will be following all the County Health Department guidelines for example; masks will be required, social distancing as much as possible, and small cohort sizes. I envision there is a group of parents who are not going to send their child back regardless of the hybrid model we have in place and others who are passionate about getting them back in even if it’s for a short period of time. WUSD wants to provide what the community needs and will have options for either on-site or to continue with distance learning. In order to provide our parents with choices it may require some staff movement and could take some time to put in place. WUSD will be doing a survey with the parents of all students to get information back to help plan for a reopen, whenever that can take place.
The district has all the PPE necessary for staff and students. Every classroom will have a hospital grade air purifier and daily disinfection. Each site will have a set of health standards protocols. (Attached)
At this time, COVID numbers are growing daily and reopening in a fully hybrid model is in not a good idea. The District also has several import safety items on back order, such as air purifiers.
Currently WUSD is allowing students on campus to meet one on one with their teachers as needed, and providing direct services for our students with special needs. In the next few weeks, I would like the coaches to begin athletic conditioning with our students, following all the rules established by the athletic department. With the holidays approaching this is an opportune time to refine the practices and protocols. After the holidays, in mid-January we will have data to determine if it is allowable to reopen. Mark Westerburg
Parent survey https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTNwoD3lYplGUpOBaDjXqVJnggfkQrExjieJOdR5_ts_jzAQ/viewform
More information and Health and Safety Protocols
https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1005611/WUSD_Health_and_Safety_Procedures_and_Protocols.pdf

Student Photo Opportunity. Maureen Moore will be at Baechtel Grove Middle School this weekend - Saturday, October 24 from 9 am to 3 pm and Sunday, October 25 from 9 am to 1 pm for school photos! Please see flyer below for details and please let others know. Please contact your school with any questions.

If You Want Your Taxes to Stay Local, Choose Measure I
Willits public schools are in desperate need of maintenance and repairs. Every single school in the Willits Unified School District leaks when it rains, and that’s just the beginning. The longer we defer maintenance, the more expensive repairs will become.
The question is how do we, as a community, raise funds to pay for those repairs? In the upcoming election, there is a statewide proposition and a local ballot measure that address school funding. California Proposition 15 would only guarantee an additional $15,000 per year for Willits schools (or $180,000 over 12 years). Measure I would allow Willits schools to raise $17 million over 12 years.
If Prop. 15 passes, California schools will get 40 percent of the revenue. Of that, community colleges will receive 11 percent. The remaining funds would be divvied up among K-12 schools statewide. Prop. 15 isn’t polling very well, so depending on it to fund local school repairs is a big risk, but even if it does pass, it only guarantees $100 per student per year, not nearly enough to pay for the upkeep required for Willits schools. It’s possible that more revenue could come our way, but there’s no guarantee.
On the other hand, if Measure I passes, 100 percent of revenue would remain local and go toward repairing and maintaining Willits public schools, including charter schools. Because the general obligation bond will be issued in four or more stages, the school board can reduce the burden on taxpayers should economic conditions change or other funding, such as Proposition 15, become available.
As a reminder, Measure I would cost property owners a maximum of $40 per $100,000 of assessed value (not market value) per year. Assessed value is determined by the Mendocino County Assessor and is listed on your property tax bill. If, for example, your house is assessed at $250,000, your overall annual bill would be $100 (that’s about $8 per month).
With these funds, public schools in Willits would have the funds to responsibly fix what is broken and keep school facilities in good repair. Willits Unified projects include replacing broken furniture at schools districtwide, repairing the roof at Blosser Lane Elementary, purchasing portable classrooms at Brookside Elementary and cafeteria tables at Baechtel Grove Middle School, paving parking lots at Willits High and the District Office, updating science classrooms at Baechtel Grove and Willits High, and similar projects.
Proposition 15 is a whole different deal. I’m not recommending a vote for or against Prop. 15; that’s a personal decision. I’m just letting you know that Prop. 15 is unlikely to provide the funds needed to maintain local schools. Please realize that a vote in favor of Proposition 15 does not replace the need for Measure I. With Measure I, you will be able to see your tax dollars at work here in Willits.
In the last election, 162 people skipped over the school bond—leaving it blank rather than voting yes or no—presumably because they didn’t feel they knew enough to make a good decision. My goal here is to provide information so voters feel comfortable taking a position one way or another. Please don’t leave it blank. If you need more information, I am happy to answer any questions you may have. You can reach me at the district office at 707-459-5314.

If You Want Your Taxes to Stay Local, Vote on Measure I
Willits public schools are in desperate need of maintenance and repairs. Every single school in the Willits Unified School District leaks when it rains, and that’s just the beginning. The longer we defer maintenance, the more expensive repairs will become.
The question is how do we, as a community, raise funds to pay for those repairs? In the upcoming election, there is a statewide proposition and a local ballot measure that address school funding. California Proposition 15 would only guarantee an additional $15,000 per year for Willits schools (or $180,000 over 12 years). Measure I would allow Willits schools to raise $17 million over 12 years.
If Prop. 15 passes, California schools will get 40 percent of the revenue. Of that, community colleges will receive 11 percent. The remaining funds would be divvied up among K-12 schools statewide. Prop. 15 isn’t polling very well, so depending on it to fund local school repairs is a big risk, but even if it does pass, it only guarantees $100 per student per year, not nearly enough to pay for the upkeep required for Willits schools. It’s possible that more revenue could come our way, but there’s no guarantee.
On the other hand, if Measure I passes, 100 percent of revenue would remain local and go toward repairing and maintaining Willits public schools, including charter schools. Because the general obligation bond will be issued in four or more stages, the school board can reduce the burden on taxpayers should economic conditions change or other funding, such as Proposition 15, become available.
As a reminder, Measure I would cost property owners a maximum of $40 per $100,000 of assessed value (not market value) per year. Assessed value is determined by the Mendocino County Assessor and is listed on your property tax bill. If, for example, your house is assessed at $250,000, your overall annual bill would be $100 (that’s about $8 per month).
With these funds, public schools in Willits would have the funds to responsibly fix what is broken and keep school facilities in good repair. Willits Unified projects include replacing broken furniture at schools districtwide, repairing the roof at Blosser Lane Elementary, purchasing portable classrooms at Brookside Elementary and cafeteria tables at Baechtel Grove Middle School, paving parking lots at Willits High and the District Office, updating science classrooms at Baechtel Grove and Willits High, and similar projects.
Proposition 15 is a whole different deal. I’m not recommending a vote for or against Prop. 15; that’s a personal decision. I’m just letting you know that Prop. 15 is unlikely to provide the funds needed to maintain local schools. Please realize that a vote in favor of Proposition 15 does replace the need for Measure I. With Measure I, you will be able to see your tax dollars at work here in Willits.
In the last election, 162 people skipped over the school bond—leaving it blank rather than voting yes or no—presumably because they didn’t feel they knew enough to make a good decision. My goal here is to provide information so voters feel comfortable taking a position one way or another. Please don’t leave it blank. If you need more information, I am happy to answer any questions you may have. You can reach me at the district office at 707-459-5314.

Congratulations to the following certified staff, you have attained permanent status with WUSD! We greatly appreciate your dedication to the students and district.
Lucas Brown, District School Psychologist
Melissa Coughlin, Teacher at Brookside
Katrina Hall, Teacher at High School
Trisa Hall, Teacher at Brookside
Patrick Keough, Teacher at BGMS
Kirsten Myers, Teacher at Brookside Speech and Language

All of Brooktrails has been reopened with the exception of third gate.

Due to fire conditions WUSD schools will be closed on Tuesday Sept. 8th.

HOTSPOT at home
For people who have cell service this is how you make your iphone a hotspot so your chromebook can connect to it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NToTQfrdNHg
This is how you turn your Android phone into a hotspot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-Y1HS4j8SU
This would work for people who have good phone service but don't pay for home internet service. This is how you can check to see if a hotspot will work in your location. The hotspot is simply just like the phone for access to the internet.

All WUSD schools will open on August 31, 2020 with a Distance Learning program. This plan is based upon the Governor’s order for school districts within counties placed on the state Watch List. Even though our county is not currently on the Watch List (as of August 4, 2020), Dr. Doohan has advised that our county data meets the criteria and is therefore recommending that all schools in Mendocino County open with a Distance Learning model.
The state has defined the requirements for schools in order to provide high quality learning for all students. Our instructional program will be very different than it was in the spring, when we were mandated to close with little to no planning time. Teachers and staff have been working throughout the summer to develop methods and curriculum that will be effective and engaging. All students will be scheduled to be online daily at specific times to receive instruction from their teachers and to participate in activities where they will interact with their peers. Independent activities will also be part of the instructional program and will take place during specified time periods. Teachers will create a daily schedule for their classes that will outline the specific times and activities that students must complete. You will receive information regarding the specific schedules within the next couple of weeks.
The district is committed to helping our families and will be reaching out with phone calls beginning August 17th. We appreciate your support as we continue to fine-tune all of the many details involved in our instructional delivery method. I have every confidence that with the help of our parents, our staff can provide an excellent program that addresses your students’ needs.
For households unable to receive Internet we are looking at the possibility of opening school campuses on a limited basis, we also purchased equipment to have Wi-Fi on our school buses that will be placed around the community for internet access, as well as working with our local businesses to open up Wi-Fi to the public. WUSD will also provide devices such as chrome books, iPads, and headphones for all students who need them. In most cases grades 3-12, your child should have their own device.
We truly miss you and look forward to the days when we can reopen schools, please stay tuned for more detailed information in the near future. Thank you all for being a part of Willits Unified School District.
Mark Westerburg

At the July 17th WUSD School Board Meeting, two important decisions were made. First, we will start school on Monday August 31st. Secondly, the WUSD schools will begin the year in a remote (distance) learning environment.
It is the goal of the staff to provide a much improved educational experience for students. In grades TK-2 we will focus on packets for students that go with our curriculum and will allow parents to follow the process. In grades 3-5 we will be using workbooks and technology provided by WUSD to enhance the work. Baechtel Grove Middle School will be using a schedule that provides four periods of core instruction, one of PE and an elective period. They will have live online instruction every single day from the district adopted curriculum. We are also providing parent support for technological and other questions and concerns, as well as informational training. You will be able to call the school directly and get a response from designated staff. We all believe that you need to be adequate and meaningful partners in this work. At the High School students will have a three period schedule where the courses last six weeks. Each school will be providing parents and students with many details and procedures in late August before we start.
We will transition to on site classroom instruction as soon as the health guidelines allow us to do so. If we want our children back at school, as a community we need to continue to follow health guidelines, to not get on the county watch list with the state. The district is working with other local governmental agencies to provide more free internet access, as well as exploring opening up our school libraries to download assignments.
The CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) Sports have been shifted to two seasons with one beginning in mid December and the second season starting in mid March. The majority of sports will be offered, just compacted into two seasons.
Their online instruction will look very different this year, as teachers increase their knowledge of virtual instruction. We will be in communication with families as the situation changes. Please stay patient as we transition to this changing environment.

The WUSD School Board is meeting tomorrow night to do some needed business and discuss the reopening options for the fall. There will not be a decision made, it is to soon to know what it will look like on Aug. 31st. When we do consider opening in the fall it will be in a more Covid prepared schedule or remotely. Our goal is to allow parents choice of doing independent study or back in classroom instruction if the conditions allows it. I use the restaurant mentality, if we can’t be in the inside of the restaurant, we can’t be in the classrooms. If the rules are some percentage capacity in the restaurant with masks we will try and provide that option in classrooms.
In mid-August our goal will be to call each family and ask parents to choose an option of in class or independent study and we will make the staffing adjustments needed. Beyond staffing we will need to make building specific plans for situations that may occur. Our goal is to provide the safest environment we can and give parents options. If we had to start tomorrow our data is trending the wrong way and the guidelines are locking down more not less, so we would be on home instruction.
If you would like to give the board information please use my email address to do so. ( markwesterburg@willitsunified.com ) If you would like to participate in the zoom board meeting this is the address https://us04web.zoom.us/j/9782489039?pwd=V0U2cUtHZUMzQk5xR3d5Vy9wT1JkZz09 There is also a chat box to ask questions or use your time during the public comments section.
The WUSD staff is working hard this summer to get ready for this new situation that provides the safest and best academic environment we can financially afford to do.

2020 NorCal Cyber Virtual Summer Camp The Northern California Information Communication Technologies (ICT) Hub at the Sacramento County Office of Education, in partnership with California Community Colleges, is supporting FREE, week-long Virtual Summer Introductory and Advanced Cyber Camps for Middle School and High school (7th-12 trade) students! This opportunity to learn about cybersecurity at no-cost is made possible through generous donations and contributions of NorCal Cyber partners and sponsors. Please provide registration to your school office so you can keep your Chromebook over the summer! Go here to register =>https://www.norcalcyber.org/

Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), children who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals at school will get extra food benefits. These food benefits are called Pandemic EBT or P-EBT benefits. P-EBT benefits help families in California buy food when schools are closed because of the coronavirus emergency.
Families will get up to $365 per eligible child on their P-EBT card to use on food and groceries.
Families with children who get CalFresh, Medi-Cal or Foster Care benefits do not need to apply. Most will get their P-EBT card in the mail during the month of May. P-EBT cards will begin arriving around May 12, 2020.

It certainly appears that we will not be returning to normal classroom settings for the remainder of this school year. All school sites have made plans to continue with modified school instruction through the end of May. The first week of June will be used for students to turn in all assignments and for teachers to assign grades. All students will be moved to the next grade unless discussions about retention have already taken place.
Although very unlikely- if it is possible before this school year ends to bring back a limited number of students, the District would consider the following: Brookside grade 2 only, Blosser Lane grade 5 only, BGMS grade 8 only and all seniors at WHS. In regards to graduation our preference is to wait it out, meet as a group and make it happen. As I have stated before, we can do it in August if necessary. I prefer this idea over a virtual ceremony.
Middle school and high school campuses are planning to hold a summer school session from July 27th through August 14th. WUSD is willing to provide support to all other summer session programs which use our facilities so they may become operational.
In regards to the governor's comments about starting school July 1st. There are more problems with that Idea than good. A major issue for a third of our students is transportation, can they get on the bus, with such a confined space we would have to limit buses to 12 students and this is a problem. Another large issue is the heat in July, only about 40% of our facilities have air conditioning and classrooms would be very warm. Along with this are summer jobs, summer school, cleaning facilities, adding 20+ days to teachers' work year, new teachers who won't be here yet, plus all the added cost for operations for a month and half. Although we are anxious to all be together again an early start is not the best plan. When all the students come back in August we will all work aggressively to get back on track.
I commend all of our parents and staff for working through this situation, hang in there. My biggest concern in coming back together is the health of our adult staff, the impact from the virus can be harsh and we have a small number of substitutes available. The need to social distance even with a small group is very tough with young kids. If we do have to create A and B days for students to limit the exposure we will do so. Bus routes, siblings, teachers, children and creating off day work for students will be a challenge but we will do it if necessary.
In conclusion, we are waiting it out and hopeful that summer will get us a little closer too normal. Our goals for Willits Unified are to finish the year in distance mode, have a graduation ceremony, provide whatever educational services we can in the summer and get ready for next school year.
Mark Westerburg

I have attached a link to the CENSUS 2020. It is very important for school funding to have an accurate census for the district. Federal funding inTitle Programs, food service and grant opportunities come from census data. It is very quick and easy to do. https://my2020census.gov/

WUSD April 15, 2020 School Board Meeting Video
https://youtu.be/dOmTXIUzBlU

Willits Unified Schools has extended the Modified School period through Friday May 1st. All the Mendocino County Schools will be under this extension. We will be monitoring the situation. I look forward to returning to school as soon as it is safe for staff and students to be together.

We have been using this program at grades 3-5 for the past two years. Based on the situation we are in, I have expanded the use of it and added Language Arts, Science and Social Studies. If you have a student in grades 3-5 they know all about it.
IXL has grade Level Math, Language Arts, Science and Social Studies. (Science and Social Studies start at 2nd grade). The program is linked to California State Standards for all areas and is set to work in conjunction with the Math book series we use in grades K-5.
This is new to the K-2 teachers, they will be able to see your child's progress and what the struggle with. The 3-5 Grade teachers already know who to use it and will now be able to use it for Language Arts as well. If you go to the district website and click on the Modified School Information Button you will see a video named IXL to watch.
DOWNLOAD the App for tablets, Ipads, Iphone and smartphones https://www.ixl.com/apps
Login Websitie https://www.ixl.com/signin/willits
Username Firstname lastname @Willits (Example: johnsmith@willitsPassword abcd1234 ( you can change it if you wish once your are up and running. )
Thank you for all your efforts at home.

The best way to contact staff is through email. All district emails are first and last name @willitsunified.com. For example markwesterburg@willitsunified.com Important information for WUSD is located on the district website under the Modified School Information link. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/19avYBzh8L5XfvixXwXPz6-Yg23G08uyF

Mendocino County will be going into a shelter in place at 10 PM tonight. Based on that all buildings will be closed on Thursday until further notice. The phones will be monitored and checked remotely. Student food pick up at WHS will continue as scheduled.

I have put together a folder of information to share with parents and students during this non-classroom instruction time. It is my intent to continue to add to this as we go through the weeks. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/19avYBzh8L5XfvixXwXPz6-Yg23G08uyF?usp=sharing

Let me tell you what I saw today on the first day on non-traditional school for WUSD. https://drive.google.com/file/d/179V-ymN3MUqEwGKiAo7HeEmePOVhLJZN/view?usp=sharing

All school sites will be open on Monday for students to get any materials they need, but normal in-class instruction will be suspended until April 13. Students will be expected to begin their packets or online instruction. Please say turned into information because this is a changing situation. It will be our hope to have our libraries open for students who need access. Breakfast and lunch will be provided through the high school in a pick up and go fashion.

I am meeting with the county health department, doctors and the other superintendents from the county today at 12:00. We will be determining when and for how long schools will need to be closed. This is a unique situation and it is important to get the best information available. Please look for a posting at 2 pm for an update. I am fully aware of the reasons to close and stay open.

Possible School Closure Information. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X2u4VIP0WIb3GZNR1xeqlw15ud0ehOYu/view?usp=sharing

K-8 Parent Survey on Minimum Days. I have had trouble with Google forms getting this out. Please use the link if you did not get the chance to respond. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfCFU7HeuT4SOkmS1b2sd3ef-65ulnyAKoxgk_dy6L7kmhmmA/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1

Here is the most current county information on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) https://www.mendocinocounty.org/community/novel-coronavirus

WUSD will be putting a plan together this week for a home study program for students if the health conditions require it. All buildings were disinfected this weekend. Please watch this video. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-facts-about-coronavirus-what-you-need-to-know/

Measure G Information Nights- Open Community Forum
Please join School Board President, Alex Bowlds and WUSD Superintendent, Mark Westerburg to discuss and ask questions about Measure G; the school bond initiative for Willits Unified School District coming up on the March 3, 2020 election. There will be two meetings held at Willits High School, Media Center, 299 N. Main Street. For more information please contact the District Office 459-5314 ext. 1101
February 4, 2020, 6:30 p.m.
February 10, 2020, 6:30 p.m.

Measure G Information Nights- Open Community Forum
Please join School Board President, Alex Bowlds and WUSD Superintendent, Mark Westerburg to discuss and ask questions about Measure G; the school bond initiative for Willits Unified School District coming up on the March 3, 2020 election. There will be two meetings held at Willits High School, Media Center, 299 N. Main Street. For more information please contact the District Office 459-5314 ext. 1101
February 4, 2020, 6:30 p.m.
February 10, 2020, 6:30 p.m.

Due to snow and weather conditions Willits unified school district will be closed today at all sites.

It is the end of the first trimester for this school year. Minimum days have been adjusted to allow for final exams and teacher grade reporting time. All schools will have minimum days on Thursday and Friday this week. Only WHS/SHS will release on Friday at 11:15 a.m.

Willits Unified Schools will not be in session tomorrow October 30. The school has planned in-services days for Thursday and Friday. So there will be no school for students on Thursday or Friday as well. The football game scheduled for Friday night will be played at its regular time if we have power, if not it will be played at 1 o’clock and 3:30 on Friday afternoon.

Due to power outages Willits unified school district will be closed on Tuesday the 29th. There is a pending Wind advisory for Tuesday night that may prolong the power shut down. I will keep you posted on our status as soon as I know definite information. Stay safe and alert to changing conditions.

Due to power outages there will be no school for Willits Unified on Monday the 28th. I will post again Monday afternoon to let everybody know our status for Tuesday.

This is a reminder for Monday morning. If you do not have power at home you can assume that the school does not have power either and we will be closed. I will keep you posted on the power situation at our school as time goes on.

All of the Willits schools have power and will be open today.

Good Evening. Please be advised that there is a chance of a power outage in the Willits area scheduled for tomorrow October 9th. If you have power at your residence tomorrow morning, assume that school will be in session during regular scheduled hours. If you do not have power at your residence tomorrow morning, assume school will be canceled. In the event of a power outage during the day, school will continue to be operational until the end of the school day. We will continue to update you as we receive further information. Mr. Westerburg

If you are going to volunteer with WUSD this year you need to have your fingerprints done. The company Print Your Mitts, will be at Brookside Elementary Open House on Thursday at 6 PM until 8. WUSD has a form that the DOJ charges us $32 for us to have processed and Mitt Your Mitts will charge you $30 for their service. If your interested please have 2 checks available to use. We greatly appreciate our volunteers. We don't have any choice on the rules or cost. I would get there early, last year there was a line.

Reminder: All WUSD schools are on regular schedule today. Our first minimum day of the school year will be next Tuesday, August 27th.

Hello Sherwood Families,
It's time to come meet new friends and reconnect with old ones at our annual work party. Please come up to Sherwood on Saturday, August 10th from 9am-1pm to help beautify and get the school ready to welcome our students for the new year! Bring your favorite dish for a potluck following the work party. Can't wait to see you all there.