Eureka City Schools

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

Saludos Padres y Estudiantes
Las vacaciones de verano están llegando a su fin y es hora de comenzar a pensar en el primer día de clases. ¡El primer día de clases es el Lunes 22 de Agosto, y nuestro personal está emocionado por dar la bienvenida a su(s) estudiante(s) para el nuevo año escolar!

El COVID-19 endémico ha tenido un gran impacto en el aprendizaje de los estudiantes. Estamos emocionados  por asociarnos con usted para ayudar a acelerar el aprendizaje de sus estudiantes. Para que esta asociación tenga éxito, el primer ingrediente es que los estudiantes asistan a la escuela todos los días al menos que estén enfermos.

La Junta Directiva de las Escuelas de la Ciudad de Eureka ha identificado las principales prioridades para el Distrito en su Plan Estratégico. De esas 19 áreas prioritarias, las tres principales, en orden, son: Artes del Lenguaje Inglés, Matemáticas y Bienestar Socioemocional. Dadas estas prioridades, hemos estado diseñando nuestro desarrollo profesional para que el personal tenga el mayor enriquecimiento en el aprendizaje de los estudiantes en estas áreas. Un par de estrategias que emplearemos este año incluyen un nuevo plan de estudios en ciertos niveles de grado y ritmo común y evaluaciones por nivel de grado y áreas temáticas a través del distrito. Esto nos permitirá ser más receptivos a las necesidades individuales de los estudiantes.

El primer día de clases está lleno de emoción y anticipación para el año escolar. La experiencia que sus estudiantes tengan en la escuela depende de ellos. Deben mantenerse optimistas sobre los beneficios de permanecer en la escuela y trabajar para mantenerse al día con las tareas, el trabajo en clase y otros aprendizajes. Por favor, trabaje con ellos para mantener la escuela agradable.

A medida que comience a pensar en el próximo año escolar, lo animo a que lea con los estudiantes más jóvenes todas las noches y se comunique con sus estudiantes más grandes, incluyendo revisando la información de las calificaciones actuales en PowerSchool. Los animo a participar en la Asociación de Padres y Maestros (PTA) en la escuela de su estudiante. Sin el apoyo de la PTA, no existirían muchas oportunidades para los estudiantes, y la PTA no puede brindar apoyo sin que los padres ofrezcan su tiempo y experiencia como voluntarios. Estos pasos permitirán que las familias tomen una parte activa en la educación de sus estudiantes.

¡Deseándole a usted y a sus estudiantes un feliz nuevo año escolar! 


Fred Van Vleck, Ed.D. 
Superintendente

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

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Education Protection Act (EPA) Expenditures

When: Thursday, June 23, 2022 – 6:30 p.m.

What: Education Protection Act (EPA) Expenditures

At a regularly scheduled meeting on June 23, 2022, at 6:30 p.m., the Eureka City Schools Governing Board will hold a public hearing to receive public comment to seek input and take testimony from the public in regard to the Education Protection Act (EPA) expenditures.  

Pursuant to Article XIII, Section 36 of the California Constitution, school districts are required to determine how the moneys received from the Education Protection Act (EPA) are spent in the schools within their jurisdiction, and further stipulates that the governing board makes the spending determinations in an open session of a public meeting. Funds from the EPA cannot be used for the salaries and benefits of administrators or any other administrative costs.

No new funding is created due to the approval of Proposition 30 or the establishment of the Education Protection Account. The approximate amount of Eureka City Schools EPA funds that will be distributed via the EPA for 2022-2023 is $2,654,627.  In 2022-2023, all expenditures and other financing uses are designated for “Instruction”.

Contact:

Paul Ziegler, Assistant Superintendent Business Services 

Eureka City Schools

Tel: 707-441-2412