San Juan Scene - Dec. 2 2025

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San Juan Unified School District has opened its annual open enrollment period for the 2026-27 school year. Families have until 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, to apply for their student to attend a school other than their neighborhood school.

Families can log in to the Parent Portal to view their child’s assigned school for the 2026-27 school year. Both the current school and the next year’s assignment will be listed.

• Families satisfied with their child’s assignment do not need to take any further action.

• Families wishing to request a different school may submit an open enrollment lottery application.

Open enrollment is not first-come, first-served. Applications are entered into a computer-generated lottery system and may be submitted anytime during the enrollment window.

Enrollment for transitional kindergarten at neighborhood schools will open on Feb. 2. Families who wish to request a school other than their neighborhood school for transitional kindergarten should apply through the open enrollment process.

Mira Loma High School’s aviation showcase was a soaring success! On Nov. 7, visitors explored the school’s newly modernized aviation classroom, complete with flight simulators, drones and other cutting-edge technology. Students led engaging demonstrations, shared their projects and highlighted how hands-on learning is preparing them for future careers in aviation.

San Juan Unified is proud to support over 30 CTE programs, helping students reach new heights.

Since 2020, speech language pathologist Nadia Pella and trained facility dog Halo have worked together to boost students’ confidence in their communication skills. Throughout her journey, Pella has identified challenges that students face – language deprivation and a lack of confidence. Since joining Harry Dewey Fundamental Elementary School, the effect Halo has had on students who face these challenges has been noticed.

“The social interaction she provides gives students authentic reasons to communicate,” said Pella. “The fact that Halo responds to their communication reinforces that their words have power and meaning.”

John Barrett Middle School students explored a world of career possibilities at the Career Technical Education (CTE) Expo on Oct. 29, where hands-on demonstrations and conversations with high school students and staff helped connect classroom learning to real-world career paths.

The event was one of several mini CTE expos across the district, designed to introduce middle school students to career pathways offered at San Juan Unified high schools. Programs represented at the CTE Expo included construction, culinary arts, engineering, media and robotics.

“I hope that students just realize that there are a lot of opportunities out there for them,” said Nicole Latimer, principal at Sylvan Middle School, who helped bring the event to Barrett after organizing a similar one at her own campus. “Anything you’re interested in, you should pursue, and so just having the opportunity to have the exposure to the different options available to them.”

The classroom fell silent as English Language Development Teacher Allison Puerner read aloud the folktale Jabu and the Lion. Her tone was flat and steady, the words uncolored by emotion.

Then she looked up and asked, “Can a storyteller read like this and still be interesting?”

The students did not hesitate. “No!” they answered together, laughter filling the room.

For Puerner, that moment captured an essential truth about teaching English; it’s not just about grammar or vocabulary. It’s about rhythm, emotion and connection.

Puerner’s level 1 English Language Development (ELD) classroom buzzes with activity and sometimes music. Between lessons, she plays a few soft notes on her flute to refocus students.

San Juan Unified is seeking student, family and staff input on proposed instructional materials for a variety of subjects now through Dec. 17.

Feedback is crucial to making informed decisions about proposed instructional materials. Families, students, community members and staff play a crucial role in reviewing materials and providing input. The feedback gathered from these materials will guide each curriculum adoption committee to make the most informed recommendations.

There are many ways to get involved in the materials selection feedback process. Anyone can provide in-person feedback by scheduling an appointment or via the online form. Proposed instructional materials and full details on how to provide feedback are available on the curriculum webpage.

San Juan Unified teachers are learning how to make math figure-out-able, helping every student reason, notice patterns and make sense of numbers rather than memorize steps. Families can explore these same ideas through Pam Harris’s Math Is Figure-out-able podcast. Two family-focused episodes share practical ways to build number sense at home.

Episode 170: Tips for Parents (Part 1)

• Learn how to talk about math in positive ways and play quick, everyday games that grow reasoning

• Try Guess My Number, doubling/halving and “friendly tens” activities

• Discover how to ask curious questions instead of giving answers

• Build your child’s confidence that math makes sense!

Episode 171: Tips for Parents (Part 2)

• Find even more ways to support mathematical thinking without stress or flashcards

• Practice counting on and back from numbers other than 1

• Explore fractions using “landmarks” like ½ and ¼

• Learn when to pause, listen and let kids think for themselves

Tune in and see how small changes at home can help your child see that math truly is figure-out-able.