College application season is upon us! The WHS Counselors are hosting College Application Workshops this week Monday through Friday from 2:30-3:30 p.m. to answer questions and provide help. We are available for individual appointments as well but wanted to offer a time where people could drop in and get help. A zoom link was emailed to Seniors and parents of Seniors. If you didn't make it today, we hope to see you tomorrow! You can also visit the WHS College Information website to learn more about the different systems (UC, CSU, Community College, private, and out of state) and access the applications and more! https://whs.willitsunified.com/o/whs/page/college-types-requirements-applications-deadlines--2
Student Photo Opportunity. Maureen Moore will be at Baechtel Grove Middle School this weekend - Saturday, October 24 from 9 am to 3 pm and Sunday, October 25 from 9 am to 1 pm for school photos! Please see flyer below for details and please let others know. Please contact your school with any questions.
Student Photo Opportunity.
Maureen Moore will be at Baechtel Grove Middle School this weekend - Saturday, October 24 from 9 am to 3 pm and Sunday, October 25 from 9 am to 1 pm for official Willits Unified School District school photos! Please see flyer below for details and please let others
Socktober fundraising for WUSD students.
If You Want Your Taxes to Stay Local, Choose Measure I
Willits public schools are in desperate need of maintenance and repairs. Every single school in the Willits Unified School District leaks when it rains, and that’s just the beginning. The longer we defer maintenance, the more expensive repairs will become.
The question is how do we, as a community, raise funds to pay for those repairs? In the upcoming election, there is a statewide proposition and a local ballot measure that address school funding. California Proposition 15 would only guarantee an additional $15,000 per year for Willits schools (or $180,000 over 12 years). Measure I would allow Willits schools to raise $17 million over 12 years.
If Prop. 15 passes, California schools will get 40 percent of the revenue. Of that, community colleges will receive 11 percent. The remaining funds would be divvied up among K-12 schools statewide. Prop. 15 isn’t polling very well, so depending on it to fund local school repairs is a big risk, but even if it does pass, it only guarantees $100 per student per year, not nearly enough to pay for the upkeep required for Willits schools. It’s possible that more revenue could come our way, but there’s no guarantee.
On the other hand, if Measure I passes, 100 percent of revenue would remain local and go toward repairing and maintaining Willits public schools, including charter schools. Because the general obligation bond will be issued in four or more stages, the school board can reduce the burden on taxpayers should economic conditions change or other funding, such as Proposition 15, become available.
As a reminder, Measure I would cost property owners a maximum of $40 per $100,000 of assessed value (not market value) per year. Assessed value is determined by the Mendocino County Assessor and is listed on your property tax bill. If, for example, your house is assessed at $250,000, your overall annual bill would be $100 (that’s about $8 per month).
With these funds, public schools in Willits would have the funds to responsibly fix what is broken and keep school facilities in good repair. Willits Unified projects include replacing broken furniture at schools districtwide, repairing the roof at Blosser Lane Elementary, purchasing portable classrooms at Brookside Elementary and cafeteria tables at Baechtel Grove Middle School, paving parking lots at Willits High and the District Office, updating science classrooms at Baechtel Grove and Willits High, and similar projects.
Proposition 15 is a whole different deal. I’m not recommending a vote for or against Prop. 15; that’s a personal decision. I’m just letting you know that Prop. 15 is unlikely to provide the funds needed to maintain local schools. Please realize that a vote in favor of Proposition 15 does not replace the need for Measure I. With Measure I, you will be able to see your tax dollars at work here in Willits.
In the last election, 162 people skipped over the school bond—leaving it blank rather than voting yes or no—presumably because they didn’t feel they knew enough to make a good decision. My goal here is to provide information so voters feel comfortable taking a position one way or another. Please don’t leave it blank. If you need more information, I am happy to answer any questions you may have. You can reach me at the district office at 707-459-5314.
If You Want Your Taxes to Stay Local, Vote on Measure I
Willits public schools are in desperate need of maintenance and repairs. Every single school in the Willits Unified School District leaks when it rains, and that’s just the beginning. The longer we defer maintenance, the more expensive repairs will become.
The question is how do we, as a community, raise funds to pay for those repairs? In the upcoming election, there is a statewide proposition and a local ballot measure that address school funding. California Proposition 15 would only guarantee an additional $15,000 per year for Willits schools (or $180,000 over 12 years). Measure I would allow Willits schools to raise $17 million over 12 years.
If Prop. 15 passes, California schools will get 40 percent of the revenue. Of that, community colleges will receive 11 percent. The remaining funds would be divvied up among K-12 schools statewide. Prop. 15 isn’t polling very well, so depending on it to fund local school repairs is a big risk, but even if it does pass, it only guarantees $100 per student per year, not nearly enough to pay for the upkeep required for Willits schools. It’s possible that more revenue could come our way, but there’s no guarantee.
On the other hand, if Measure I passes, 100 percent of revenue would remain local and go toward repairing and maintaining Willits public schools, including charter schools. Because the general obligation bond will be issued in four or more stages, the school board can reduce the burden on taxpayers should economic conditions change or other funding, such as Proposition 15, become available.
As a reminder, Measure I would cost property owners a maximum of $40 per $100,000 of assessed value (not market value) per year. Assessed value is determined by the Mendocino County Assessor and is listed on your property tax bill. If, for example, your house is assessed at $250,000, your overall annual bill would be $100 (that’s about $8 per month).
With these funds, public schools in Willits would have the funds to responsibly fix what is broken and keep school facilities in good repair. Willits Unified projects include replacing broken furniture at schools districtwide, repairing the roof at Blosser Lane Elementary, purchasing portable classrooms at Brookside Elementary and cafeteria tables at Baechtel Grove Middle School, paving parking lots at Willits High and the District Office, updating science classrooms at Baechtel Grove and Willits High, and similar projects.
Proposition 15 is a whole different deal. I’m not recommending a vote for or against Prop. 15; that’s a personal decision. I’m just letting you know that Prop. 15 is unlikely to provide the funds needed to maintain local schools. Please realize that a vote in favor of Proposition 15 does replace the need for Measure I. With Measure I, you will be able to see your tax dollars at work here in Willits.
In the last election, 162 people skipped over the school bond—leaving it blank rather than voting yes or no—presumably because they didn’t feel they knew enough to make a good decision. My goal here is to provide information so voters feel comfortable taking a position one way or another. Please don’t leave it blank. If you need more information, I am happy to answer any questions you may have. You can reach me at the district office at 707-459-5314.
The Class of 2021 and their parents are invited to Senior Overview Night on Tuesday October 13th from 6:00-7:00 p.m with the WHS Counselors! We will be discussing all pertinent events to look forward to this school year and will try our best to answer any questions you might have about what to expect. A google calendar invite was sent to all seniors through their Willits Unified emails with the zoom log-in details. See you on Tuesday 10/13!
Hello parents and seniors! The Counselors have published the list of Important Dates for Seniors to help you with planning for this school year. It was emailed to all senior students Willits Unified email accounts. Please review it and mark your calendars for all of the exciting events to look forward to this year!
Virtual College & Career Fair Tuesday October 6th from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Open to all students in grades 9-12 in Mendocino County. Hosted by Ukiah High School. Go here to register: https://rb.gy/bepsp3
This is an excellent opportunity for students to learn about options in higher education across all systems, as well as, have the direct opportunity to talk with many community members who represent diverse career paths including the medical field, law enforcement, Cal Fire, city government, business sector, sustainable living and technology, military and many more!
Seniors! The FAFSA/Dream Act Application window is now open! If you are planning to go to a 4-year college, community college, or technical/trade school after high school, fill out the FAFSA or Dream Act application! Go to FAFSA.gov to start working on your application. An email was sent to all seniors with more information including how to request an FSA I.D. We will be hosting a virtual Financial Aid Information Night on Tuesday 11/17 at 6:00 p.m. and another one at 7:20 p.m. for Spanish speaking families. Mark your calendars and join us as we learn more about financial aid from the experts!
Congratulations to the following certified staff, you have attained permanent status with WUSD! We greatly appreciate your dedication to the students and district.
Lucas Brown, District School Psychologist
Melissa Coughlin, Teacher at Brookside
Katrina Hall, Teacher at High School
Trisa Hall, Teacher at Brookside
Patrick Keough, Teacher at BGMS
Kirsten Myers, Teacher at Brookside Speech and Language
All of Brooktrails has been reopened with the exception of third gate.
Due to fire conditions WUSD schools will be closed on Tuesday Sept. 8th.
Today was the last day to request a schedule change. If your student is in a dual enrollment Mendocino College class (CSC-201, ENG-200, or SCT-164), please submit the required paperwork as soon as possible. Students may contact their teacher or counselor to request the forms.
First day of school 2020.
Wi-Fi Bus locations and times.
Freshmen Orientation is Fri 8/28! It will be done on Zoom between 9:00-12:00 p.m. Students have been sent a zoom link to their Willits Unified email. This is a student only event so please make sure your student has access to the internet and a private space to fully participate.
HOTSPOT at home
For people who have cell service this is how you make your iphone a hotspot so your chromebook can connect to it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NToTQfrdNHg
This is how you turn your Android phone into a hotspot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-Y1HS4j8SU
This would work for people who have good phone service but don't pay for home internet service. This is how you can check to see if a hotspot will work in your location. The hotspot is simply just like the phone for access to the internet.
WUSD will have 4 buses parked around the district for student wi-fi access during distance learning. The district will also have additional vehicles able to do this and they will be moved to accommodate students needs.
