What I Saw This Week

One of my favorite sounds in a school is a student saying "I got it!" or "Yes, I did it!" This week I heard it again and again. Students are starting to find success, notice their own accomplishments, and feel proud of what they can do. Those small moments of confidence matter more than they might seem to. They are the moments when a child begins to see themselves as a capable learner.

I am also watching students grow more comfortable working alongside each other. There is a real sense of I know how to be here, I know how to work with others, and I can figure this out.

Learning in Action

I spent time this week watching fourth grade students tackle math using hands-on manipulatives in a game-like setting, where they had to develop a number strategy in order to win. Students were excited, talking through what strategies were working, and noticing math patterns in a way I do not often see. They were doing real mathematical thinking, and having fun while they did it.

The Sounds of Learning

In our youngest classrooms, I have loved hearing the sounds of learning. Sometimes that is a song playing to signal a transition. Other times it is simply a familiar routine, with students moving quickly and confidently from one activity to the next.

These moments look small, but they tell me a lot. Our students are learning the rhythms of their classrooms, and our teachers are building the systems that help children feel successful inside them.

Thank you for sharing your children with us. It is a joy to watch them grow.

California SB 848 – Volunteer Mandated Reporter Training

California SB 848 requires all school volunteers who interact with students outside immediate supervision to complete annual child abuse prevention training. This applies to public, charter, and private schools and updates Education Code §44691 and Penal Code §11165.7.

Who must train:

• Volunteers interacting with students without direct supervision of a parent, guardian, or school employee.

Training content:

• Child abuse identification and reporting, updated to include content per SB 848

• The purpose of this training is to enhance student safety by ensuring all trusted adults can recognize and report abuse.

Training Link:

1. Create a Keenan SafeSchools account: Register here

2. Use this link: https://vusd-keenan.safeschools.com/register/4392b4f8 (Only the section titled Mandated Reporter: Child Abuse and Neglect, needs to be completed.)

3. Volunteers must print and submit the certificate to the office for annual documentation

Once the training begins, it can’t be paused; it must be completed in one sitting. Keenan training must be completed before application is submitted. All volunteers must complete one of these options annually.