Volume 01 | September 17, 2019
Message from the Superintendent
Welcome to the 2019-2020 school year and the first edition of our newsletter, The Pride! We will be sending out this monthly newsletter to better communicate with you about the happenings in Pittsburg Unified School District and highlight some of our work. This year I am celebrating 30 years in public education. Thirty years ago I started my career in education as a 7th grade English and Reading teacher in El Paso, Texas. I keep this picture of my first class with me as a reminder of how fortunate I am to have found a career path I truly love. The last five years of that career path have been here in Pittsburg as your Superintendent, and I still feel that same good fortune and excitement. Together, over the last few years we have accomplished a lot, including: an increase of 20% in our graduation rates; an early literacy initiative to focus on our pre-k-3 scholars, music in every elementary school and parent and family liaisons to support our families as partners. We remain committed to the welfare of all of our students through our Safe Haven Resolution and we have restructured the way we serve and include our students with disabilities. We built a 30-classroom addition to the high school school and this year we are on track to complete the new building for Parkside Elementary School and start the work for Hillview Junior High School. We have much to celebrate and much more work to accomplish. Thank you to the Community for all of your support for our Pittsburg scholars! 

The excitement of a new school-year never gets old. Whether you are joining us for the first time as a family new to Pittsburg or you have children who have graduated from our high schools, I welcome you to PUSD. Please know that we are here to make sure your child has every opportunity to be her/his best. I look forward to our best school year ever!

Warmly,

Janet


Janet Schulze, Ed.D.
Superintendent, Pittsburg Unified School District 

1st Day of School at Highlands Elementary School
On Monday August 26, Highlands Elementary School opened for the 2019-2020 school year. It was a big celebration with the Pittsburg High School Pep Band, special breakfast, refreshments for parents, and excited teachers and scholars. Thank you to all of the  Pittsburg Unified School District  staff that worked so hard to ensure the opening of school was a special day for our Highlands Families.
Deployed Dad Surprises Daughters at Los Medanos Elementary School
Jonathan Wiebe has been deployed for more than 7 months in Romania and hadn’t seen his daughters, Haden (2nd grader) and Taylor (1st grader) since Christmas. His wife, Jessica, told a couple staff members at Los Medanos Elementary School that she was going to pick her husband up from the airport today and then surprise their daughters at school. Just before dismissal, school staff released the girls a little early so they could receive their surprise. It was a teary celebration of hugs in the hallway! Wiebe is with the United States Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System. He says the first thing he wants to do is take the girls to Jack in the Box! Welcome home, Mr. Wiebe. We thank you for your service.
Wednesday, September 18:

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Saturday, September 21:

9:00 am - 10:00 am
Photo: The Pittsburg Marching Show Band performed at the annual Seafood Festival in Pittsburg on September 7, 2019
Photo: Yours Humanly donated $17,000 to Pittsburg Unified School District's Bioswale Project. This donation will pay for transporting 4th, 6th and 9th graders to the Bioswale Learning Center
Photo: Back to School Night at Rancho Medanos JHS
Wednesday, September 25:

6:00 pm
  • School Board Recognition at District Office, 2000 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg

6:30 pm

Monday, September 30:

5:00 pm
  • Perfect Attendance Awards at Pittsburg High's Creative Arts Building, 250 School Street

Tuesday, October 1:

6:00 pm

Wednesday, October 2:

5:00 pm
  • Great Attendance Awards at Pittsburg High's Creative Arts Building, 250 School Street
PUSD scholars, Citlali Gallo (Pittsburg High Junior) and Troy Paul (Pittsburg High 2019 graduate), become 2019 Youth Ambassadors for the Special Olympics!
Quote From Citlali Gallo
" I truly enjoy being a member of Pitt Unify, because through the club I can help put a smile on other students' faces. This past spring, I participated in Unified Cheer as a part of Unified Sports. In addition, I volunteered at various events, including the Special Olympics track meet and Steeltown Invitational. The joy I witness from the athletes’ faces as they realize their accomplishments is the best part ."

PHS Football Game Featured in NBC Bay Area Newscast

Fast forward to 1:15 to watch reporter Jodi Hernandez's report from Friday, September 13th.

Read more
www.nbcbayarea.com
Pittsburg Police Issue Dozens of Tickets in School Zone

It's back to school for thousands of kids, and police in one Contra Costa County city are going the extra mile to make sure their trip is safe. Jodi Hernandez reports. (Published Tuesday, Aug 20, 2019 )

Read more
www.nbcbayarea.com
Sister City Trip to Shimonoseki, Japan
Five Pittsburg scholars and two chaperones recently traveled to our Sister City, Shimonoseki, Japan. In this photo, they are at Chofu-Teien Gardens where the group was able to dress in traditional kimonos and samurai attire. You can read more about their trip on our Facebook page .
Revamped Auto Program
Did you know our Auto program at Pittsburg High is being revamped to include electric and autonomous vehicles? To facilitate these changes Auto teacher, Mark Childers, and Workforce Liaison, Sherene Sasser, attended the Mobilize CA conference. Check out our Facebook post for more details about the program.
Pittsburg Grads Meet on the Field

Two 2019 Pittsburg Pirate grads, Trey Turner (Eastern Washington) and Jacob Bandes (University of Washington), played their first-ever collegiate games on Saturday, September 5... and their two teams happened to play each other.

Read more news about PUSD Athletics, Alumni, and Upcoming Games on the PUSD Athletics website .
Board Resolutions
Yellow Ribbon Week:
September 9 - 13, 2019
One Question and One Moment Can Change a Life. This week should demonstrate school’s commitment to school safety and in recognition of those who have lost their lives as a direct result of school violence.

National Arts in Education Week: September 9 - 13, 2019
This resolution is about promoting self-expression and creativity through the arts.

Hispanic Heritage Month : September 15 - October 15, 2019
School sites are honoring Hispanic Heritage Month through specific activities, programs, or classroom lessons.

September: National Fruits & Veggies Month
Child Nutrition Team at Site Support Services Center holding fruits, vegetables, and banner for National Fruits & Veggies Month.
Ms. Nicole, Child Nutrition Assistant II and Adam Zendejas, Custodian at Stoneman Elementary promoting Fruits & Veggies during school lunch.
Employment Opportunities
PUSD seeks employees who wish to invest their workday supporting and preparing children for their future. Our desire is to hire highly qualified staff members that reflect the diversity of our community. All open positions are posted on  Edjoin.org .
As part of our continuing efforts to provide information regarding your student's progress and status, Pittsburg Unified School District parents are able to view student information for their children from our school database using the PUSD Parent Portal . Through our secure server you will able to view your student's attendance and grade information. Below are additional links that are useful to parents.

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