Educator of the Year: Yazmin Herrera

Educator of the Year: Yazmin Herrera spins 'magic' in her 6th special education classroom to create results. When Yazmin Herrera walks into her 6th grade Almond Tree Middle School classroom, she enchants her students with her 11 years of experience as an educator into “magic." Forging connections with parents, the school’s administration and her special education students created trust throughout her career that she now casts as magic when teaching, Herrera said. Her charms caught the eye of a Kern County Superintendent of Schools committee which named her a teacher of the year, the highest honor bestowed annually upon three local educators. Passionate about education, Herrera described the honor as an incredible feeling. By ISHANI DESAI idesai@bakersfield.com Jul 16, 2023

Congratulations La Vina Middle School on Achieving I²S Recognition

The I2S recognition is a prestigious acknowledgement of schools through a rigorous identification process including data analysis, submitted application, and site interviews. La Vina Middle School was selected as one of the top five Kern County schools to have successfully implemented, provided evidence for, and was able to articulate promising practices having shown effectiveness and sustainability. (See Video Below)

Response to Immigration Enforcement (For More Information)

At the Delano Union School District, we take pride in fostering a warm, inclusive, and supportive environment where every student and family feels cared for and valued. We understand that recent reports of immigration enforcement activities in Delano and nearby areas may have raised concerns for some of our families. Please know that our schools are safe spaces where every student and family is welcomed and protected. California schools are not allowed to request or collect information about Social Security numbers, immigration status or U.S. citizenship when enrolling students. Student records shall not be disclosed without parental consent or a court order. If your family has been affected or needs additional support, our school psychologists, counselors and social workers are here to provide guidance and care.

Sebastian Millan Wins the Scripps Spelling Bee!

Student represents Delano as the first place winner for the Scripps Spelling Bee! 11-year-old Sebastian Millan is no stranger to spelling bees... and now he's reached the top! He took home the regional title and is now headed to Washington D.C. as the local representative for the Scripps National Spelling Bee. "L O C O M O T I V E — locomotive,” said Millan. That's the word that made it possible for Sebastian Millan to go home with the first-place trophy for the 2024 Scripps Kern County Spelling Bee. (KERO)

Human Trafficking 101

Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion in exchange for labor, services, or a commercial sex act. Causing someone under the age of 18 to engage in a commercial sex act, regardless of using force, fraud, or coercion is human trafficking under U.S. law. Human traffickers use various forms of force, fraud, and coercion to control and exploit victims. These forms include imposing of debt, fraudulent employment opportunities, false promises of love or a better life, psychological coercion, and violence or threats of violence. The crime of human trafficking hinges on the exploitation of another person. People often falsely believe “human trafficking” implies victims must be moved from one place to another to qualify as a victim. Human trafficking does not require transportation to be considered a crime. It is a crime that can be committed against an individual who has never left his or her hometown.

Words of Encouragement!

In all the media reports about the COVID-19 pandemic, and in all of the directives and advisories, Delano Union School District Superintendent Rosalina Rivera saw something essential was missing: Words of encouragement. So, she decided to do something about it. That began Friday morning when Jack Tillman, the district’s director of maintenance and operations, and two of his workers, Ralph Cruz and Jose Heredia, installed the first two signs with a simple message of encouragement to not only the district’s students and parents, but everybody driving along Cecil Avenue, one of Delano’s busiest streets, and seeing the Cecil Avenue Math and Science Academy signs. “Together — We Will See It Through” in English, “Juntos — Lo Sobreviviremos!” in Spanish,

How to wear your mask

Wearing face masks or cloth face coverings helps prevent the spread of COVID-19. For masks to work, they have to be worn properly. Wash your hands before and after wearing the mask and use only the loops of the mask to put it on and take it off. Choose a mask with two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric that completely covers your mouth and nose and fits snugly against the sides of your face, leaving no gaps. Do not wear a mask that is too loose on the sides. Do not pull the mask low on your nose, below your nose, or below your mouth or chin. Do not leave your chin or your mouth exposed or dangle the mask from one ear. Do not wear the mask in any other way that does not entirely cover your mouth and nose. Do not touch the front of the mask while wearing it. If you use a cloth mask, wash it and dry it daily and keep it in a clean, dry place.

News Alert!

What's Happening? Deaths from fake pills with fentanyl are surging across the country and right here in our own school district. In the past 18 months, we've lost several students to fentanyl-related poisonings — teenagers who had hopes and dreams and plans. These teenagers had families who loved them and are still coming to grips with their losses. Teens are purchasing what they think are OxyContin, Percoset or Xanax pills via social media, but drug dealers are making these fake pills with the cheaper, stronger and more deadly synthetic drug called fentanyl to increase their profits. Fentanyl is up to 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Fentanyl is odorless, tasteless and colorless. Teens never know what they’re getting. One pill can kill them. One pill.

Assembly Bill 856: Pupil Health: COVID-19 Youth Health Information Act

As schools bring students back for in-person learning, it is important to ensure a safe return to classrooms. Assembly Bill (AB) 856, Pupil Health: COVID-19 Youth Health Information Act, chaptered on July 23, 2021, encourages schools and school districts to provide information to our youth and their families on how to safely return to exercise and physical activity after exhibiting signs or symptoms of, or testing positive for, COVID-19. AB 856 is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety. In addition, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has guidelines regarding returning to exercise and physical activity after exhibiting signs or symptoms of, or testing positive for, COVID-19.

REMOTE LEARNING ACADEMY INFORMATION

Please contact your site hotline to enroll into our remote learning academy for the 2021-2022 school year.

NEWS RELEASE Coronavirus Message

Delano Union School District continues to take a proactive role in addressing the health and well-being of our students. The circumstances associated with COVID-19 have presented our District with unprecedented challenges. Using the information that is available to us, we are making plans and decisions that are prioritizing the health needs of students, family, and staff. This is an ongoing situation, with new developments and significant uncertainty. The District is in direct contact with the State of California, Kern County, the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, and all state and local public health agencies. To navigate through this difficult time, we will partner with local educational and governmental agencies, and we request patience, understanding, and flexibility from our DUSD family and the Delano community.

Morningside School named a California Distinguished School

Morningside School is one of the most exceptional schools in California according to the California Department of Education. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced the honorees for the 2020 California Distinguished School Award, and Morningside was named on this list of outstanding Schools.

AVISO A PADRES: CIERRE DE ESCUELAS

National School Breakfast Week!

"Energize your day with School Breakfast" March 2-6 is National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) Delano Union School District Schools will be bringing awareness by giving out promotional NSBW items to our students while serving Breakfast. Students must grab a school Breakfast in order to receive a promotional item. Please see our attached menu for the days the items will be given out. (Promotional items are limited). Please use our hashtags when posting for Delano’s National School Breakfast Week. #bestchoiceDUSD #SchoolBreakfast #NSBW20

NOTICE TO PARENTS: SCHOOL CLOSURE