3-2-1 by Heather Topacio

2025-08-22 16:13:00 UTC

1)ATM retreat - full engagement from departments; 2)DLT - Clear goals from Superintendent will increase clarity and alignment with our work; 3) PL Days - overall positive feedback and extensive support from all departments.

Time

2025-08-22 16:13:04 UTC

“This time of year always brings high demands, which can put pressure on timelines.

1 win

htopacio1 — 2025-08-22 16:13:31 UTC

All/most students (I think) ended up at the right school on Monday!

2025-08-22 16:13:34 UTC

Enrollment in TK is up, which gives kids a big boost in academic exposure and success

Our two new principals have been very visible and engaged with their students and families

DO staff has been very present and supportive at sites

2 Win

htopacio1 — 2025-08-22 16:14:26 UTC

Confirmed enrollment seemed to go more smoothly! The team deployed to support and make adjustments.

1 Risk

htopacio1 — 2025-08-22 16:14:40 UTC

Vacant positions can erode trust if not addressed quickly.

2025-08-22 16:15:08 UTC

We've moved away from the Watch and Master Calendar and have gone back to overwhelming principals and office managers with communications and meetings

Concern over social media criticism and response-responding to parent complaints without referring them back to the site first

2025-08-22 16:15:24 UTC

1) Not adhering to timelines

2) Poor follow up

2025-08-22 16:15:38 UTC

Responsive communication when feedback is needed

1)Teacher Leaders: the redesign will allow for a more focus and alignment across our district 2)DLT/August: Clarity around our priorities as school leaders 3)Think VCUSD first is trending a positive way

2025-08-22 16:16:07 UTC

2025-08-22 16:16:26 UTC

1) Finding subs (teachers and paras) to support students in Gen Ed and Special Ed; 2) Materials have not been delivered to SWLA and are currently at LVESA -- may impact Williams.

1 Risk

htopacio1 — 2025-08-22 16:16:41 UTC

Ongoing transfer requests are drawing away important time resources from multiple staff persons.

Wins

2025-08-22 16:17:07 UTC

1) LCAP plan was reviewed by the SCOE team and forwarded to SCOE Superintendent for review/approval.

2) VCUSD now has four strong Bilingual Liaisons in place (appreciating Heather and Juli).

3) District Testing team is in place to provide initial assessments - increase in Kinder students and many who have had TK in 24-25.

3 Wins - Winnie

2025-08-22 16:17:08 UTC

#1. Being present at the sites to serve and assist.

#2. An increase and open communication between departments. It's a lot better than before or in prior years. Especially around this time at the start of the school year.

#3. I believe we're all trying to move in the same direction as a district. That's a huge win!

2025-08-22 16:18:37 UTC

Ideas to utilize Notebook LM and method to provide additional resources that might be missing from the data base.

2025-08-22 16:18:37 UTC

1) Collaboration with SPED on procedure to handle certain records requests

2) Planning for data monitoring

3) Introduction to EWS

1 Ask

htopacio1 — 2025-08-22 16:19:17 UTC

Be reliable partners for each other, check in regularly.

Risks..

2025-08-22 16:20:07 UTC

#1. Having to change a system or make a change based on lack of funding.

#2. Making a decision that effects the district because of the cost.

(1)Ignoring: things in our systems that are not working early rather than later (2) Filling our vacanies; but even in August/September be intentional

2025-08-22 16:20:19 UTC

3 Wins

2025-08-22 16:20:30 UTC

VAPA Staffing with exception of Cave .4 Visual Art. 2. Expansion of VAPA Disciplines - aligning with State Standards. 3. PL onboarding of VAPA Chairs and scaffolded learning for new teachers.

2025-08-22 16:20:43 UTC

Updated communication norms for our new team

continue regular check-ins; and the support to reset or reschedule

2025-08-22 16:22:31 UTC

Risks

2025-08-22 16:22:47 UTC

1) Budget instabilities could consume energy to focus on opportunities for enhancements.

2) Without implementation of clear roles and responsibilities, effectiveness of LCAP actions will be impacted.

My Needs

2025-08-22 16:22:47 UTC

#1. Please continue to provide our weekly check ins. Those meetings mean a lot and are my therapy sessions.

Risk of derailing efforts

2025-08-22 16:24:14 UTC

VAPA Schedules for High School Students are not always chosen by the student, which is creating significant stress on emerging programming. 2. Equity funding in AMS baseline.

Need

2025-08-22 16:24:55 UTC

Confirm that you have funding needed (requisitions in place) for restricted funding actions.

3 Wins

2025-08-22 16:28:05 UTC

Recruiting an amazing Assistant Director and new Program Manager who have jumped in with both feet and have been in close communication with families and have been present on sites. New in person staff (psychs, OTs, RBTs, BCBAs) have jumped in and supported in high needs classrooms
The commitment and skill of the the special ed office staff to create systems to respond over summer to all of the projection challenges - students ended up where they were supposed to!
Met the board's goal of having all contracts to them for approval before the start of the year (save 3) (almost made it!)

2 Risks

2025-08-22 16:33:27 UTC

Vacancies in early grades creating safety risks for students and staff - no experienced and permanent staff on the horizon
challenges with new system for assigning paras to programs and students - create efficient and effective system to update the sites with staff and hold the reduction in staffing on sites

One thing I need

2025-08-22 16:36:45 UTC

consistent messaging to all stakeholders when these issues come up about the long term plan and the "why"? And sharing concerns you are hearing to inform me