Superintendent Community Update

Translation: Para ver este boletín en español: 1) ubique el ícono que ve a la derecha de este artículo ( la figura de palo en un círculo) ... está en la parte superior derecha de su pantalla. 2) Haga clic en la imagen. 3) seleccione "Traducir" en la parte superior derecha de su pantalla (computadora). 4) Seleccione Spanish/Español.​

Dear JUHSD Community,

Welcome back, students, from a well-deserved spring break! I hope you were able to enjoy some fun with family and friends, along with taking care of the many responsibilities that I know you have.

This time of year gets hectic, but is also filled with many exciting culminating events. I encourage you to stay present and continue to do your best. Keep your head in the game so that you finish strong. Here's to a fantastic final month and a half of the school year!

Enjoy your weekend and know that my door is always open.

Warmly,

Toni Presta

Superintendent

@superintendent_tonipresta

On Friday, April 19, former Congresswoman Jackie Speier chatted with Westmoor High School students and staff during a special presentation in the school's library. Hosted by WHS College and Career technician Grace Moevao, Congresswoman Speier shared life experiences with a captive audience, including highlights from here career as a politician.

Following her presentation, students were able to ask thought-provoking questions of the Congresswoman, along with taking photos with her and having friendly conversations. WHS and JUHSD thanks Congresswoman Speier for taking time out of her schedule to visit the RAMily. Learn more about Congresswoman Speier's amazing career by clicking here and on Instagram @jackiespeier.

"The more times you lose, the more you're setting yourself up to win." -Congresswoman Jackie Speier's advice on how we should approach life's obstacles, shared while speaking to the students of Westmoor High School, April 19, 2024.

Do you want to make JUHSD a better place in which to be? Do you have thoughts and opinions that would serve the better could of this district community? If so, you should join the JUHSD Student Advisory Council! During monthly Board of Trustee meetings, Student Advisory Council members and trustees share their thoughts on ways to improve the quality of education and student life for their specific school site and district as a whole. We'll present more information about the District's Student Advisory Council in next Friday's Superintendent Update! Learn more about this amazing opportunity for current JUHSD students and how to apply by clicking here.

Photo: Members from the 2023-2024 Student Advisory Council attend a state conference in San Francisco this past December.

On Thursday, April 25, students from across the District will take place in JUHSD Special Olympics, traditionally held towards the end of the school year. Sponsored by the JUHSD Adapted Physical Educational Department, with support from the Terra Nova High School Leadership Class, this half-day event will host student Olympians who will compete in a host of events including mini-hurdles, dis golf, balance beams, bowling, soccer, and a 50 meter dash! Participating students will receive stamps in a special passport, ribbons, and medals. Check out the below flier for more info!

Photo: Terra Nova's 2022-2023 ASB President Alana Heusser applies a temporary spirit tattoo one of the Olympians during the May 2023 event.

The Terra Nova High Drama Department will present the widely popular Shrek the Musical! on the school's state-of-the-art theater, April 26-May 5. Bring the whole family out to see this heartwarming story of a lonely ogre who makes friends with a clownish donkey and saves a princess in the hopes of finding true love.

Tickets can be purchased before the show from the theater box office, and also online by visiting tntheatrearts.org. Adult tickets are $15, with students and senior tickets at $7. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:00 pm with Sunday matinees taking place at 2:00 pm. This is one show you don't want to miss!

During this past week's Spring Break, Westmoor High School FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) competed in various Business, Finance, and Information Technology pathway events at a state conference held at the Anaheim Convention Center. From Wednesday, April 10 to Sunday, April 14, WHS FBLA students work diligently to prepare for this competition while competing against 45 schools other schools from across California with 3,000+ members in attendance.

At the end of this competition, WHS students earned 12 different award titles, with 5 students now qualifying to attend the National Leadership Conference in Orlando Florida and Ryan Chou winning the title of 1st Place State Champion for the Introduction to Programming competition. To see a full list of conference competition results, click here.

In honor of Earth Day, the Oceana High School Conservation Club, now in its fourth year, will take part in this year's Whale Fest, an event hosted by the Pacific Beach Coalition, Saturday, April 20. To find out more about this event and how you can volunteer, scroll below to see the event flier.

The OHS Conservation Club, run by student leaders Juliana Woehl and Arwyn Clancy Oarast, plan and organize beach clean-up days, promote sustainability practices throughout the school, and host lectures from local climate activists. This club meets twice a month and is always seeking new membership from OHS students and staff. Learn more about this club by following them @ohsoceanconservation2023.

Photo: Leaders from the OHS Conservation Club host an informational table during lunch in the school's courtyard on April 16.

Congratulations to Jefferson High School's Ty Hayes for being featured in this past weekend's Oakland Post! As mentioned in this article, "Tysha Hayes, a Reach student, works as a bus driver for Jefferson Union High School District and part-time in the classroom as a part of her degree program. She entered the university in fall 2023 and is hoping to graduate by 2027. Hayes shared that the non-traditional learning aspect of Reach is what drew her to enroll, as she herself has had an unconventional journey from being a bus driver for 27 years to pursuing a career in education." To read more from this article written by Post reporter Magaly Munoz, click here. To learn more about the Reach University teacher education programs, click here. Great job, Ty Hayes!

Photo credit: Reach University and the Oakland Post.

Congratulations to Westmoor High School 11th grader Chloe Chou for being named as a finalist for this year's California Youth Poet Laureate competition held online this Saturday, April 20. Chloe will compete against 11 other poet laureates from the State during this prestigious event. Chloe recently represented San Mateo County at the 2024 California Arts Council Poetry Out Loud Competition and for winning runner-up in the Poetry Ourselves Competition! Chloe also holds the title of Daly City's 2022-2023 Youth Poet Laureate. JUHSD wishes you the best of luck, Chloe!

Photo: Chloe Chou stands with JUHSD Superintendent Toni Presta after her taking part in the District's Centennial Celebration, May 2022.

This coming week, April 22-26, is KQED Television's annual KQED's Youth Takeover Program. Through this program, Bay Area students apply to share their story about life as a teen in this constantly changing world.

During the school year, the KQED Youth Media team works with select Bay Area high schools to help students produce stories reflecting their experiences and those of their communities, including San Mateo County. JHS and JUHSD congratulate 12th grader Carlos Escala for taking part in next week's event. Read more about Carlos' involvement with the KQED Youth Takeover Program by reading this week's Student Shout Out.

To watch all of this year's student submissions, which will go live next week, check out the KQED Youth Takeover page by clicking here.

JUHSD would like to give a special shout-out to Jefferson High School 12th grader Carlos Escala for serving as a member on the KQED's Youth Advisory Board! Throughout this year, student members of this board have been coached and mentored by KQED's Youth Media Team. As mentioned in the above feature, the KQED Youth Take Over Program shares the voices of local high school students through their usage of digital arts and technology. As part of their Youth Advisory Board's Political Breakdown, Carlos' work will be featured as part of a segment this coming Thursday, April 24. To watch this on Thursday, click here. To learn more about the KQED Youth Advisory Board, click here. Way to go, Carlos!

JUHSD Students! Are you wanting to serve your school community at the State level? The California Board of Education is seeking student trustees who play a crucial role in representing the perspectives and interests of students across California in important policy discussions and decisions. This position offers a unique opportunity for a dedicated student to actively contribute to shaping the future of education in our state.

Along with serving a one-year term from August 1, 2025, through July 31, 2026, student board members will have their voices heard and vote on educational policies vital to California students and schools, along with receiving a $100 stipend for each day’s service on approved official business. To learn more about the application process, click here. Applications are due by Friday, September 20, 2024, 5:00 pm.

Though prom season is a few short months away, it's not too early to visit The Princess Project's free prom dress closet, open to all genders. To reserve your spot for receiving a free dress, along with finding out more about this amazing project, click here! Please note that students under the age of 18 must have their guardian sign a waiver.

The California Association of Student Councils (CASC) is one of California’s most impactful student advocacy platforms. Our organization is a 501c3 nonprofit and empowers student leaders from across the state of California. As a member of the Region 4 Cabinet, students will play a meaningful role in implementing CASC’s programs at the local level, which include our annual Fall and Spring Leadership Conferences. There are a diverse range of roles available and no prior CASC experience is required. Learn more. Applications due April 30.

Help support Midpeninsula Regional Open Space connect with tomorrow’s land stewards, people in underserved communities, and upcoming generations who are exploring their interests and purpose in life as a Community Connections Volunteer! Volunteers provide support at community outreach events, with some opportunities to assist in the preserves or other areas of connection building and communications. Volunteers must be 18 years or older. Sign-ups will take place on May 11, 9:30-11:30 am. Learn more.

Throughout April, we have the wonderful opportunity to recognize and celebrate Americans who can trace their roots to countries in Northern Africa, the Middle East, and other Arab countries as part of Arab American and Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) Heritage Month.

The Arab and MENA American community is not a monolith – it is made up of an estimated 3.7 million people who are diverse in many areas, such as their race and religion, yet similar in their strong family values, work ethic, and dedication to education and the greater community. Those with Arab, Middle Eastern, and North African ancestry have made valuable and substantial contributions to every facet of American life and yet have been repeatedly misrepresented in the media, particularly after the 9/11 terrorist attack, leading to stereotypes and prejudices that challenge our efforts to create an inclusive environment and community.

Public Schools Month calls attention to the excellent work and success of California’s public schools and the need to recognize their important role in our communities and state. Public schools educate 9 out of 10 students and provide key resources to families and community members.

Help us celebrate Public Schools Month by thanking your teachers and school administrators for creating safe and inclusive school communities where students can thrive and reach their full potential!

Autism Acceptance Month is celebrated every April to increase understanding, acceptance, and inclusive programs for people living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the family members, educators, and other professionals who teach and care for them.

Thanks to improved early intervention tools, more students are being diagnosed with ASD – allowing them to receive the intervention and treatments they need. Learn the signs, symptoms, and realities of ASD and promote acceptance and inclusion in everyday life for those living with ASD.

As a district, we embrace inclusion, value diversity, and educate ourselves in order to confront and dismantle systemic inequities to bring about a more just society. JUHSD commits to engaging, educating, and empowering ALL students, with an intentional focus on those under-served, inadequately served, or disenfranchised by educational institutions and systems, eliminating disparities in educational outcomes.