May 2025

SAVE THE DATES:

25-26 RTAC CCSPP Calendar of Events

Lillian Larsen Elementary School:

Community Resource and Meal Night Event

Lillian Larsen Elementary School is located in the rural town of San Miguel. Many of the families that live in San Miguel are farmworkers. Others work primarily in state and county government jobs and in the hospitality sector. The area is rich in vineyards, wineries, and tourism. The school community is very important to our families because extracurricular activities are unavailable to our students in their neighborhoods. Lillian Larsen is more than 10 miles away from recreational sports, art classes, music programs, childcare centers, and other services that parents can access with ease in other nearby communities. Other basic needs, such as mental health services, doctors, and dentists, are also not located in our communities or are extremely limited.

On Thursday, March 27, 2025, Lillian Larsen Elementary School, part of the San Miguel Joint

Union School District hosted a successful Community Resource and Meal Night. This event was a very well attended event and brought together the community in a space filled with valuable resources,

informative discussions, and engaging activities for both children and families.

The collaborative effort between community organizations and the Lillian Larsen Elementary

staff was truly inspiring. After hours of planning and hard work, the event concluded with a

raffle and the distribution of food bags containing fresh vegetables and other nutritious items for families.



The unwavering dedication and relentless effort exhibited by the district and school community truly stand as a testament to their remarkable commitment to excellence. Their hard work, which has been nothing short of extraordinary, has culminated in this well-deserved achievement. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to each member of these communities, as they have not only reached this milestone together but have also inspired us all with their passion and perseverance!

The selection of schools was conducted through a meticulous analysis of the data presented in the 2024 Dashboard, emphasizing the remarkable achievements and continuous growth in academic performance.

For the full press release and the list of 336 schools selcted for 2025, click here. For more information, please visit the CDE California Distinguished Schools program web page.

Hats off to the incredible students, dedicated teachers, and amazing staff! Together, you form a powerful team that inspires growth, fosters resilience, and ignites a passion for learning. As you continue to push boundaries and strive for excellence, remember that your hard work is making a profound impact on the lives of those you serve. Keep up the fantastic effort; the future is bright because of you!

Gabilan ES. https://gab.soledadusd.org/

Jack Franscioni ES https://jack.soledadusd.org/

Rose Ferrero ES https://rose.soledadusd.org/

On April 15, 2025 Manuel Colón, in collaboration with the Central Coast RTAC team, presented an overview of the five capacity-building strategies and how they are represented in the CCSPP Annual Progress Report. CCSPP APR reporting refers to the Annual Progress Report (APR) that schools participating in the California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) are required to submit, documenting their progress in implementing the community school model and the impact on student outcomes across areas like integrated student supports, positive school climate, and community engagement; essentially, it's a report detailing how well a school is utilizing CCSPP funding to achieve its goals. 

Some of the key takeaways from the APR overview included:

• Importance of reporting on what went well this year at your school and documenting work that was intentional, data-driven, and collaborative

• Acknowledging how the work this year has impacted your collective goals and priorities as written in your current site implementation plan

• Reflection with your school teams to identify what they can improve for the next school year. Ex. If the work was not as successful as you planned, why or why not?

• Build the knowledge of your Advisory Council committee team and existing leadership teams on the capacity-building strategies. This will support reaching your Site Implementation plan goals as well as contribute to the sustainability of the work

• APR is not a competitive or punitive process. It is a self-reflection process that aims to foster collaboration, collective responsibility, accountability, and transparency

Key points about CCSPP APR reporting:

• Purpose: To track the progress of schools implementing the community school model 

• Who is involved: Representation from key stakeholder groups should be included. Community School Coordinators lead this process.

• What it includes: Data on student achievement, community partnerships, services provided, and overall school climate improvements

CLICK HERE for resources shared at the APR overview session with Inflexion

Manuel Colón presents at the CABE conference:

EL Roadmap and CCSPP

RTAC esteemed partner, Manuel Colón, along with his dedicated Inflexion team, presented at the 2025 California Association for Bilingual Educators (CABE) Conference. This year marks a significant milestone as CABE proudly celebrates 50 years of unwavering commitment to bilingual advocacy and excellence. CABE is passionately dedicated to fostering bilingual education and championing high-quality educational experiences for every student throughout California. CABEs focus on promoting biliteracy, advancing educational equity, and preparing all students for success in the 21st century, which is achieved via exemplary practices that distribute resources based on student need.

At the Inflexion session, Manuel dove into the California English Learner Roadmap and its harmonious alignment with the California Community School Partnership Program (CCSPP) framework. Manuel shared the four guiding principles that underpin California's ambitious vision for English Learners, which also serve as the cornerstone of the California English Learner Roadmap. These principles are not just a set of guidelines; they are the compass that steers the entire educational system toward a harmonious and well-aligned network of practices, services, relationships, and teaching strategies. Together, they aim to cultivate a robust and effective twenty-first-century education that empowers English learners to thrive.

The core of the approach to applying these principles lies in the fundamental belief that enhancing the linguistic and academic skills of English learners is a collective duty that all educators share. Every level of the education system must contribute to this mission, as we work together to ensure that the over 1 million California English learners in our schools have the necessary access and opportunities to succeed.

Page 1 of 8 of the Inflexion Navigation system: California English Learner Roadmap Alignment and California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP). Photo courtesy of the Inflexion team.

At the end of the presentation, attendees were equipped with the understanding of:

• The groundwork necessary for implementing the California English Learner Roadmap and the California Community Schools Framework
• Tools necessary to assess their school’s existing structures and instructional initiatives
• How to identify clear next steps

To reveiw all resources shared at the presentation, please visit the Inflexion resource hub.



Proud members of the Kermit McKenzie Intermediate School; they make up The Giving Paws student club.

Collaboration with the Food Bank in the

Guadalupe Union School District

Kermit McKenzie School Community Coordinator Guadalupe Barradas Tapia stated, "Seeing our students and volunteers take an active role in supporting their community has been truly inspiring. We want to ensure our students understand the importance of community connectedness." Food bank distributions will continue for the rest of the year, taking place every second Tuesday of the month at Kermit McKenzie Intermediate School, and are open to all families and community members.

This distribution is only one way the district collaborates with the Santa Barbara Food Bank. The district is also proud to be among the few schools participating in the Healthy School Pantry initiative in partnership with the Santa Barbara Food Bank. Being a small rural town in Guadalupe, CA, access to essential resources can be a challenge, but through this initiative, the schools are bringing much-needed food items to their community members.

The success of this initiative not only highlights the district's commitment to serving its community but also showcases the collaborative spirit of everyone involved, working together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need. It was truly a remarkable team effort that brought joy and nourishment to many families!



A big thank you to the community on behalf of the Community School Coordinators, Guadalupe Barradas Tapia and Rocio Rodriguez: This effort would not be possible without the unwavering support from our District leadership, Superintendent, Principals, Director of Expanded Learning, and dedicated district staff and teachers. Their encouragement and hands-on involvement have made all the difference in launching this initiative successfully. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve and bring our

community together.

More inspiring Community Schools work happening in the

Central Coast region!

From left to right: Love Jefferson, Dr. Victor Rios, Regis Inge, and Jose Anzaldo. Picture courtesy of the Scholar System Instagram webpage

Statewide - Dr. Victor Rios and the Scholar System team, presented at the 2025 CABE conference. In their session, the team facilitated discussion surrounding their new framework: Crisis-Resilient Schools: Practical Strategies for Today’s Challenges. The team shared research-based practices that support how to balance high expectations with emotional support to create thriving, asset-based district cultures that empower students, families, and educators. Special co-presenters included Kendrick Lamar’s former teacher, Mr. Regis Inge and former NFL player and professional team builder, Love Jefferson.

With an impressive 29 years of dedicated service to Compton Unified, Mr. Inge's steadfast commitment to the students shone brightly during the session, captivating the audience with his passion and insights. In this engaging atmosphere, Love shared the unforgettable moment of his first encounter with Dr. Victor Rios, a pivotal experience that ignited a profound understanding of the extraordinary power of a wolfpack and the strength that arises from unity, unwavering support, and a shared vision. The presentation left attendees inspired and eager to embrace the spirit of collaboration in their own journeys.