Once again, the summer has flown by and the first day of the 2022-23 school year in Washoe County starts next Monday, August 15. The Washoe County School District (WCSD) is holding a Back to School Expo this Saturday, August 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Reno Town Mall on 4001 S. Virginia Street where families can get more information about this year’s transportation options, school meals, services, and resources to prepare for the upcoming semester.
For instance, thanks to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, all WCSD students may receive free meals for the 2022/23 school year. The WCSD is continuing to work off the same COVID-19 mitigation plan that was approved on March 8, 2022, in case of a future outbreak.
This school year will also be welcoming new WCSD Superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield, who recently presented her entry plan titled, “A New Chapter for WCSD” to the Board of Trustees at a recent meeting. The purpose of the plan is to create an intentional process for the new superintendent as she transitions into her new role. It has three specific focuses on how to help the district succeed and how Dr. Enfield plans to create a supportive and resilient school system.
According to the presentation, Dr. Enfield has broken her plan out into three phases, first by engaging with the staff by regularly visiting their schools, hosting monthly “Soup with the Supe” lunchtime events, and having “Supe Sessions” with principals and assistant principals after school on a monthly basis. Informal monthly Community Coffee Chats with families, taking part in Student Advisory Council meetings, and hosting town hall meetings with trustees are also on her list for engaging with the school community. The following two phases include analyzing the results of those collaboration events and using them to start developing the district’s next strategic plan.
“As we write this new chapter in WCSD and focus on what matters most—educating our students—I am filled with tremendous hope and excitement for all we will accomplish together. We have a solid foundation to build upon thanks to the dedication of our staff and the support of our community. We also have the opportunity and responsibility to improve our school system, so all students graduate prepared for whatever path they choose for themselves. I promise to communicate with you on our progress, own our mistakes when we make them and always celebrate the successes of our students and staff.
“I am proud and grateful to be serving as your superintendent. WCSD is a district on the rise and the best is yet to come,” Dr. Enfield concludes.
However, the WCSD is also afflicted with the nationwide teaching staff shortage and has been trying to address ways that it can provide a quality education to students with so many open positions. Using its Talent Acquisition and Enhanced Compensation board policies as a launching point, its Human Resources department discussed ideas to help fill those certified positions and its recruiting efforts. As of August 8, 2022, there were 268 certified jobs and 239 Education Support Professionals/Classified open positions listed on its website.
To access the District’s Back to School resources, visit www.washoeschools.net.The last day of the 2022-23 school year is scheduled for June 9, 2023.
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