Ukiah Unified School District prepares students for their future
At Ukiah Unified School District ( UUSD), our goal is to challenge and inspire our students to value different perspectives and become successful, contributing citizens in an increasingly interdependent world. We provide quality educational programs, a safe environment for all students, and a collaborative environment with families and community members so we continually improve as a school community. We want to provide educational programs that to make sure our students are college and career ready, so our programs must meet a wide variety of student needs.
Our goal can only be achieved with support from our families and community members. UUSD invites parents and those who care about education to attend school events and engage with our students. We do our best to create opportunities where families can ask questions and learn more about school activities, including annual Backto-School and Open House nights, as well as the regular meetings of our parent organizations ( PTO/ PTA, ELAC, School Site Council). We also invite you to attend school cultural events, awards ceremonies, and informational nights.
In addition to in-person meetings, one of the most important ways parents can learn about their student’s progress is electronically, through the Aeries Parent Portal. We encourage any parent who has not signed up for the parent portal to do so as soon as possible. If you need help, call your school’s office and they can walk you through the process.
Studies show that reading is the most important skill students need for longterm academic success. At Nokomis Elementary School, they employ smallgroup instruction throughout all grade levels. Small groups allow teachers and support staff to focus on the specific skills that will help each student become a fluent reader and critical thinker. As a result, students at Nokomis are able to think at a higher level, read more rigorous text, and write based on how they interpret evidence.
In addition to reading, students’ success in college and careers will depend on their ability to communicate clearly, solve problems, and work collaboratively. At Oak Manor Elementary School, students develop these important skills through collaborative conversations. Collaborative conversations require students to speak in depth about something they read, a math problem, or a particular question that requires critical thinking to solve. This practice has proven especially useful for students who speak English as a second language. Whether students are native English speakers or not, after their collaborative conversations on a given topic, they write more clearly about it and are better able to provide evidence to support their opinions.
Communicating effectively in one language is excellent. Communicating effectively in two languages is even better. Our dual-language immersion school,
Grace Hudson Elementary, helps students become bilingual (able to speak in two languages) and bi-literate (able to read and write in two languages). Like Nokomis Elementary, Grace Hudson uses small group instruction. However, it also employs the Daily 5 Literacy model where students have a choice of five activities: reading to themselves, working on writing, reading to someone, listening to someone, or doing word work. Principal Kara Blanco said, “All of the techniques and strategies the staff are implementing at Grace Hudson are to ensure students deepen their knowledge and understanding, while developing a true love for learning.”
In addition to academic pursuits, UUSD emphasizes the importance of a positive school climate and guaranteeing that our schools are a safe places for students. Positive Behavior Supports and Interventions ( PBIS) have supported this goal. At Calpella Elementary, teachers and staff are explicit with students about how they are expected to behave, whether in class, in the bathroom, in the hallway, in the cafeteria, or while playing at recess. Calpella prioritizes PBIS by using site funds to hire a part-time teacher to implement their program. Principal Tina Burrell credits PBIS with reducing discipline problems at the school. She says, “When students feel successful out of the classroom, that positive feeling carries over to the learning in the classroom.”
Our middle schools have also adopted the PBIS model. At Pomolita Middle School, their motto is “WE ROAR,” which is an acronym for the school’s values: wellness, empathy, respect, organization, attitude, and responsibility. Teachers impart lessons related to these school-wide values in their classes, and the digital media class creates announcements related to the “WE ROAR” philosophy. In the time PBIS has been in place at Pomolita, staff and students have noticed improved behavior and school cleanliness.
Ukiah Independent Study Academy (UISA) provides an alternative educational setting for students in kindergarten through grade 12. Students do much of their schoolwork at home, providing an instructional program guided by UUSD teachers, yet giving students the flexibility to pursue unique interests or other educational opportunities. To enrich each student’s educational experience and allow students to interact with one another, the UISA teachers and support staff offer weekly tutoring hours for math and language arts, as well as weekly art and science workshops. UISA also provides field trip opportunities such as hiking, biking, visiting local farms, and team-building at the ropes course.
UUSD uses online enrollment for new students, including all new kindergarten students for the 2020-21 school year. Kindergarten registration is now open, parents can either register online at www.uusd.net, or use a computer at one of our schools. Staff will be available at each school to assist in the registration process. The deadline for registration at the school of your choice is Feb. 21, 2020.