“Nothing could be more thrilling than welcoming students back to campus” said Cypress School District Supt. Anne Silavs in her most recent newsletter as the system is now operating with full, in-person classrooms.
The Cypress School District Superintendent is the current Orange County Superintendent of the Year.
“Following an unprecedented year and a half, nothing could have been more thrilling than welcoming all our students back to campus this fall for in-person learning,” she said in the newsletter.
Silavs said two major changes have been made to “support both the academic and social-emotional needs of our students during this transitional period,” she said.
The first of the changes is “Differentiated Instruction,” she said.
“While our district successfully provided three different school schedule options last year to meet the needs of students and their families, we know none of those options was a substitute for the high-quality educational program we traditionally provide our students,” said Silavs in the newsletter.
“To fill any gaps that may have occurred and to accelerate learning, teachers are using student assessment results to pinpoint areas for growth and tailor instruction to meet individual student needs. Teachers are also using computer-adaptive programs to differentiate instruction and support individualized learning,” she said.
The other change, said Silavs, is “Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS).”
“Our schools and classrooms provide students with consistent, predictable structures that promote academic achievement, emotional development, and social competence,” said Silavs.
“Unfortunately, not every student was able to attend in-person instruction and benefit from these important structures last year. As a result, some essential school habits and behaviors may have been lost or forgotten. To recalibrate schoolwide expectations and reestablish systems to promote a supportive learning environment and positive student behavior, school teams are participating in training and professional development in these areas to ensure our students’ school success,” she said.
“In addition to these districtwide efforts, many great things are happening in each of our neighborhood schools which make Cypress School District the best place for students to learn and grow,” she added.
Meanwhile, at its most recent meeting of the Cypress Board of Trustees, the board;
• The Board approved subscriptions with Learning Genie, Inc. for software to streamline the collection and tracking of child assessment data and reporting to the state’s Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) assessment during the 2021/22 school year at a total cost of $1,672.
• The Board authorized filing a Notice of Completion for the 2021 Corporate Avenue Tenant Improvements project by M.P. South, Inc. at a total cost of $2,321,166.12.
• The Board approved a five-year lease agreement with Quadient Leasing for a replacement postage meter at a total cost of $12,019.20.
• The 1979 “Gann Initiative” requires districts to formally adopt an annual appropriations limit based on appropriations from the previous fiscal year with adjustments for changes in cost of living, population, and other factors. The Board adopted Resolution No. 21/22-7 showing the actual appropriations limit for 2020/21 of $28,639,606 and the estimated appropriations limit for 2021/22 of $29,520,611.
• As required by Education Code, the Board certified its review of the district’s final revenue and expenditure figures for 2020/21. General Fund revenues for 2020/21 totaled $48,602,120 versus total General Fund expenditures and transfers out of $49,712,980. The General Fund closed 2020/21 with an ending balance of $9,633,584. Funding for 2021/22, given the adjustments to the ending balance from 2020/21, along with designated carryover amounts, is adequate to fund the approved programs for the 2021/22 school year. The full report is available online.
• The Board adopted updated strategies for meeting the district’s 2021/22 goals. The 2021/22 Goals and Strategies may be viewed on the district website.
