Superintendent's Weekly Newsletter

Posted Date: 2/22/25 (3:00 AM)

SUPERINTENDENT'S WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

2/21/2025

Dear CSD Parents/Guardians,

I wanted to take a moment to share with you some of my highlights from this week. It was a truly inspiring time visiting Cucamonga Elementary and Los Amigos Elementary Schools and seeing the remarkable work happening in our classrooms.

It was exciting to see firsthand the incredible work our teachers are doing and the engaging projects our students are immersed in. It’s clear that our educators are going above and beyond to provide a high-quality learning experience for all of our children. Throughout my walkthroughs, I also saw many examples of our Portrait of a Graduate skills in action. Our students are not only mastering content but developing critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom.

Today, I had the privilege of stepping into a new role: teacher for the day! I spent the day in a 5th-grade classroom at THE ONTARIO CENTER SCHOOL, working alongside the students as they dove into their lessons. It was wonderful to see them actively participating and demonstrating their understanding in such a hands-on way, especially as they used Minecraft for education to bring their learning to life.

Thank you for your continued support in making our district such a special place. I look forward to sharing more updates with you soon!

Take care,

Michael Chaix, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Image of 5th-grade students actively engaging in classwork on their technology devices, enhancing their learning experience through interactive, hands-on activities.

An image of 5th-grade students actively engaging with Minecraft for Education on their technology devices, enhancing their learning experience through interactive, hands-on activities.

SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

Cucamonga Elementary School

By Principal Dr. Jenna Garretson-Tremayne

As we move through February, we are thrilled to celebrate Black History Month with our students through engaging literature, meaningful discussions, and school-wide activities. Our focus this year is not only on learning about influential African Americans but also on fostering key components of our Portrait of a Graduate—resilience, social and cross-cultural skills, and empathy—throughout our lessons and activities.

Image of the book "Small Girl Toni and the Quest for Gold"

One exciting addition to our classrooms this month is the book Small-Girl Toni and the Quest for Gold, which every class has had their own copy gifted. This inspiring story encourages students to embrace determination and perseverance. To honor Toni’s journey, we had a "Wear Gold" Spirit Day at the start of the month, symbolizing the power of resilience and goal-setting.

In our school library, we have also expanded our collection to include new books featuring African American authors and characters, ensuring that students have access to diverse and enriching stories year-round. Additionally, our MPR bulletin board now proudly displays an A-Z showcase of influential African Americans, allowing students to learn about trailblazers across various fields.

We are also continuing Dr. Tremayne’s weekly read-aloud sessions, where she has been sharing books highlighting impactful figures such as Nina Simone, Ida B. Wells, and Marian Anderson. Next week, she will introduce students to the story of Booker T. Washington. In his honor, we will have a special "Bows & Bowties Spirit Day", encouraging students to celebrate his legacy with a fun dress-up opportunity next week.

We are excited about the strong connections our students are making between literature and history and the meaningful discussions happening in our classrooms. Thank you for your continued support in helping us nurture a community that values learning, culture, and empathy.

Upcoming Events

3/13/2025
Board Meeting
6:00 p.m. - Board Room

3/17-21/2025
Parent Conference Week
All Sites - Minimum Days

3/24-28/2025
Spring Recess