Eureka City Schools

Greetings Colleagues,

While it may be hard to believe, the 2022-2023 school year really is just around the corner!  Some of you may not have had much of a break this summer due to working in the summer school program or working to prepare our schools for students coming back this fall.  Whether you enjoyed a break over the summer or worked, I am hopeful you feel rejuvenated and excited for the start of the school year.

We are all aware recent years have been challenging.  As educators, we have felt instability, the impact of insufficient support and resources, and at times, underappreciated for all of the work we have been doing.  COVID-19 created a challenging environment.  The past couple of years are not how it is supposed to be in education!  That being said, thank you for not giving up and for coming back (or just starting with Eureka City Schools) to make our schools a better place to grow and learn.  What you do each day is important to the future of our students and our community.

According to Phil Boyte, “School culture does not start with students, it starts with us, the adults.”  As such, I am challenging you, despite the setbacks we have faced in recent years, to come to school on August 22nd with a positive attitude.  Students mirror the environment they are in, and if it is positive, they respond in kind.  Attending school is either an experience people merely survive, or it is the time they begin to truly thrive!  Societal trends and pressures influence the culture in our schools, and without culture caretakers, social influences will be the primary definers of our school’s culture!

To kick off the new school year, I look forward to seeing each of you at our back-to-school meeting on Wednesday, August 17th.  Upon arrival, please come to the Eureka High School Auditorium Foyer where you will be welcomed by your principal or supervisor.  A continental breakfast will be available at 7:30 a.m. in the hallway/foyer adjacent to the auditorium.  At 8:00 a.m. we will proceed into the auditorium for our meeting.  A full schedule of professional development for the week is enclosed and posted on the website.  Please note the Eureka Teachers Association (ETA) is inviting members to attend a voluntary meeting in the cafeteria before the 8:00 a.m. official welcome. The Classified Schools Employee Association (CSEA) is also holding a voluntary meeting in the Rose Garden at Eureka High School.

To set the stage, our staff has been meticulously working to prepare our sites for the school year ahead.  I would like to extend a big “thank you” to our teams and the work they have done to prepare for the upcoming school year!  As you arrive on August 17th, please note the construction of the new Jay Willard Gymnasium, eliminating the large lot in front of the old gym as a parking option.  The District Office (Marshall) parking lot is available in addition to street parking and the staff parking lot off of Del Norte Street.  Please allow a couple of extra minutes to find parking and to walk to the auditorium.

Sincerely,


Fred Van Vleck, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Greetings Parents and Students,

Summer break is drawing to an end and it is time to start thinking about the first day of school.  The first day of school is Monday, August 22nd, and our staff is eager to welcome your student(s) to the new school year!

The COVID-19 endemic has had a great impact on student learning.  We are eager to partner with you to help accelerate learning for your students.  For this partnership to be successful, the first ingredient is students attending school each and every day unless they are ill.  

The Eureka City Schools Board of Trustees has identified the top priorities for the District in their Strategic Plan.  Of those 19 priority areas, the top three, in order, are: English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Social-Emotional Wellbeing.  Given these priorities, we have been designing our professional development for staff to have the greatest enhancement to student learning in these areas.  A couple of the strategies we will be employing this year include new curriculum in certain grade levels and common pacing and assessments by grade level and subject areas across the District.  This will allow us to be more responsive to the individual needs of students. 

The first day of school is one full of excitement and anticipation for the upcoming year.  The experience your students have in school is up to them.  They need to remain optimistic about the benefits of staying in school and work to stay current with assignments, classwork, and other learnings. Please work with them to keep school enjoyable.

As you start thinking about the upcoming school year, I encourage you to read with younger students every night and check in with your older students, including reviewing current grade information in PowerSchool.  I encourage you to get involved in the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at your student’s school.  Without the support of the PTA, many opportunities for students would not exist, and the PTA cannot provide support without parents volunteering their time and expertise. These steps will allow families to take an active part in their student’s education.

Wishing you and your students a happy new school year!


Fred Van Vleck, Ed.D.
Superintendent

EUREKA, CA – July 6, 2022 –  Eureka City Schools is pleased to announce the official naming of the Board Room at the District Office the Frances H. Taplin Board Room.  On June 23, 2022, the Board of Education adopted a resolution formally dedicating the Board Room to Mrs. Frances H. Taplin, who served within Eureka City Schools as an educator and trustee for over 57 years.  When discussing the recognition, Mrs. Taplin conveyed, “Working for the schools is something that is a part of me.  I cannot remember a time when I wasn’t a part of Eureka City Schools.  During my time as a teacher, followed by my time as a Board member, the District became a part of my family.  It always has been.”  

The anticipated dedication and naming of the Board Room, which was first announced at the Eureka High School graduation ceremony on June 17, 2022, came as a sweet surprise to Mrs. Taplin.  During the graduation, after enjoying a special dedication of the “School Song” by Limited Edition, Superintendent Van Vleck read the proposed resolution.  At that time he noted the resolution, if approved by the Board on June 23, 2022, would name the Board Room the Frances H. Taplin Board Room. After the resolution was passed by the Board on June 23, 2022, Superintendent Van Vleck said, “I cannot think of a more deserving person to name the Board Room after.  It is very fitting that all the direction from the Board from here on out will happen in a room named in Mrs. Taplin’s honor.” 

While Mrs. Taplin’s resignation was effective on June 18, 2022, she still plans to be actively involved in the schools and her community.  She is also looking forward to spending more time with her family members who live locally and out of the area.  When asked for her thoughts on retiring from the Board of Education after 26 years, Mrs. Taplin notes, “I have been so fortunate to work with so many wonderful people.  The experiences I have had as the Eureka Teachers Association President broadened my horizons.  I have made some wonderful friends on the local, state, and national levels.  My friends have come from my experiences in education, whether it be a student or family member.”


A recap of the information contained in Board Resolution No. 21-22-035 is listed below.

• Mrs. Frances Hunt Taplin graduated from Eureka High School, Class of 1951;
• Mrs. Taplin came to work for Eureka City Schools in 1964 after working as a teacher at Woods Elementary Schools in Carmel, CA for six years;
• Mrs. Taplin worked at Franklin School from 1964 to 1977, teaching grades 4, 5, and 6, and at Lafayette Elementary School from 1977 through 1995, teaching grades 5 and 6; 
• Mrs. Taplin served as the Eureka Teachers Association President for a total of seven years (non-consecutive terms); 
• Mrs. Taplin retired from Eureka City Schools in 1995 after teaching for a total 37 years, 31 of which were with Eureka City Schools; 
• Mrs. Taplin served as a Trustee on the Eureka City Schools Governing Board from 1996 to 2022, for a total of 26 years, including service as the Board President; 
• Mrs. Taplin has served the students, families, and staff, of the State of California for over 63 years, and Eureka City Schools as an educator and as a Board Member for over 57 years;  
• Mrs. Taplin has worked tirelessly within the public school system to educate our children to become responsible and productive citizens, well-equipped with the qualities needed of our future leaders; and
• With the above contributions clearly establishing Mrs. Taplin’s dedication to Eureka City Schools, and as an acknowledgment of Mrs. Taplin’s service and generosity, the Governing Board wishes to name the Eureka City Schools Board Room the Frances H. Taplin Board Room. 

A full copy of Resolution 21-22-023 is located on the Eureka City Schools website under Board Documents. 


Press Contact:
Micalyn Harris, Executive Assistant
Superintendent’s Office
[email protected]
Tel: 707-441-2414