As the start of the 2017-2018 school year approaches, the Castaic Union School District is excited to prepare for its traditional “Welcome Back Breakfast” and professional development day for the entire staff.

On August 8, our morning will begin bright and early at Castaic Middle School with breakfast provided in partnership with the Corner Bakery-Valencia, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union and California Credit Union.

Superintendent Steve Doyle will welcome our staff back from summer break, share our vision and goals for the new school year and introduce our many new teachers and support staff members.

Deputy Brian Rooney- Zone Leader, Castaic and Val Verde, Deputy Tobe Coe – School Resource Officer, Deputy Mike Sellers – Master Field Trainer, and Deputy Brian Harding – Tactical and Survival Trainer, of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will then conduct a two-hour Active Shooter training with our staff.

[Editor’s Note: The training in the school’s Multipurpose Room will NOT involve any gunfire or loud noises, contrary to previously published reports.]

While this is not something that we wish to think about happening in our community, we believe it is in the best interest of our students, staff and families to be aptly prepared, for their safety and protection. The day will continue with mandated, online training via Keenan SafeSchools and on-site professional development.

Important dates to remember:
Wednesday, August 9 – Back to School Night for our elementary schools
Thursday, August 10 – First day of school, this is a shortened day
Monday, August 14 – First day of Preschool (all sites)
Thursday, August 24 – Back to School Night at Castaic Middle School

In addition to a rigorous core curriculum, all Castaic Union School District elementary school students will have weekly music and P.E. instruction.

Our students have 1:1 Chromebooks in the 4th-6th grades and 1:3 Chromebooks in the Transitional Kindergarten through 3rd grades (and/or classroom sets available). Our focus will be on STEAM project-based learning with the inclusion of 3-D printers and classroom Makerspaces.

At Castaic Middle School, each core subject has a dedicated Chromebook cart as well as three dedicated computer lab/media centers available to their students. Additionally, we plan to expand our very popular Drone program and Culinary Arts program, as well as other Career Pathways opportunities.

We still have limited space available in our California State and Community Preschool programs, which will be at our Val Verde, Northlake Hills Elementary School and Castaic Middle School campuses. For more information, please contact Jacky Vasquez at (661) 257-4500, extension 1520.

We are so proud to announce that Erin Oxhorn-Gilpin (Northlake Hills Elementary School) is our Castaic Union School District Teacher of the Year and has been selected as one of 25 finalists in all of Los Angeles County.

The 16 County Teachers of the Year will be announced at a special luncheon on September 29, 2017.

We are also super excited to announce that our new website is now live! Please visit us at www.castaicusd.com. The new format is very user-friendly and easy to navigate. We will update material on a daily basis, so please visit often for the most current and up-to-date information.

Please follow us on Facebook @CastaicUnionSchoolDistrict, on Twitter @CastaicUSD and #MakeHopeHappenCUSD, as well as Instagram.