Benicia Unified School District

Superintendent August 2024 Newsletter

Posted On: August 12, 2024

Highlights

BUSD Welcomes Volunteers

The Benicia Unified School District (BUSD) values the dedication and support of our volunteers, who play a vital role in enhancing our students’ learning experiences and supporting our programs. We are excited to welcome those interested in volunteering during the upcoming school year.

If you would like to volunteer at your student’s school, please visit the front office to complete a volunteer packet. This packet is a requirement for all prospective volunteers and includes essential steps such as obtaining fingerprint clearance through the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).

To ensure a smooth start to the school year, volunteers and drivers will initially register directly through the school office. During this time, BUSD will be transitioning to a more streamlined and comprehensive volunteer process managed through our Human Resources Department. As part of this transition, we will be routing volunteer and field trip paperwork electronically via Informed K-12, an online system for managing documents.

We anticipate the full implementation of this new process by October 1, 2024. As we approach this date, we will send out additional communications with further details and instructions.

Thank you for your willingness to contribute your time and efforts to our school community. Your involvement is greatly appreciated and makes a significant difference in the lives of our students.

Revised Policies, Procedures, and Protocols

This spring, we conducted a comprehensive review of our policies, procedures, and practices to ensure we adhere to best practices and provide a safe environment for our students, staff, and everyone who supports our programs.

During this review, we focused on key areas, including the BUSD volunteer process and the BUSD field trip policy. We expect to fully implement these new processes by October 1, 2024. To keep you informed and ensure a smooth transition, I have included two video messages in this email. Each video outlines the specific changes and adjustments in these areas.

Please take the time to watch these videos and familiarize yourself with the new policies. It is crucial that we all follow these updates to maintain the high standards of safety and efficiency within our district.

Thank you for your attention to these important updates and for your continued dedication to our district.

Volunteer Process Updates

Field Trip Process Update

Community Engagement

As we continue our journey toward excellence in the Benicia Unified School District (BUSD), it is clear that our next steps require an even greater sense of unity. Relationships and teamwork are everything, and your input is essential to fostering the growth of students, our practices, and our organization.

With this in mind, I am excited to invite you to our upcoming Dessert with the Superintendent events. These gatherings are about building stronger, more supportive relationships with you and within our community, collaborating on District matters, sharing insights, and finding the best ways to move forward together.

This year, we focus on “putting the ‘us’ in BUSD.” As we work together toward our shared vision, I eagerly anticipate speaking with each of you and hearing your thoughts, ideas, and concerns.

Please join us for an evening of meaningful conversation and delicious desserts as we strengthen our bonds and work collectively for the betterment of our students and community.

Thank you for your continued partnership. I look forward to seeing you at the events (6:00 PM- 7:30 PM) at the BUSD District Office (350 East K Street)

  • Tuesday, September 17, 2024 
  • Tuesday, November 12, 2024 
  • Tuesday, February 18, 2025 
  • Tuesday, April 22, 2025

AB-230 Compliance

In compliance with the 2024/2025 school year changes to AB-230 (AB-230 Menstrual Products: Menstrual Equity for All Act 2021), we are pleased to inform you that Benicia Unified School District has made menstrual products available in all schools, from grades 3 through 12. This initiative is part of our commitment to ensuring that all students have access to essential resources, promoting health and equity in our schools.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to create a positive and inclusive learning environment for all our students.

Superintendent’s Message

Damon Wright

Dear BUSD Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! We are thrilled to begin what promises to be an exceptional year for our Benicia Unified School District community. Our journey together continues tomorrow, and we’re excited to put the “US” in BUSD by strengthening the connections between our schools, students, and families.

I extend my deepest gratitude to our dedicated staff and community supporters. Their hard work and commitment over the summer have laid the groundwork for a warm and successful start to the school year.

The enthusiasm surrounding our schools is infectious, and we are poised for an outstanding year ahead. We look forward to partnering with you, the parents and guardians, to support your child’s educational journey and create lasting memories this year.

Our staff has been diligently preparing for this moment and are eager to meet and connect with their students. The energy across our campuses is high, and we are ready to embark on this new school year together.

As we begin this chapter, we encourage all students to get a good night’s rest to ensure they are fully prepared for the exciting opportunities.

Please remember the start times for each school:

  • Elementary Schools: 8:00 AM
  • Benicia Middle School: 8:15 AM
  • Benicia High School and Liberty High School: 8:30 AM

We look forward to an outstanding year of growth, learning, and success. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in making BUSD an excellent place for all students.

See you tomorrow!

Respectfully,

Damon J. Wright, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Benicia Unified School District

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