Superintendent Community Update

Dear JUHSD Community,

I hope that you've had a chance to attend some of the awesome events happening in our district recently. Today, I'd like to shine a spotlight on a selection of events from the past week.

Recognition of the Student Advisory Council

A special Board Meeting convened this Monday to pay tribute to the 23-24 Student Advisory Council. Our Student Trustees were presented with certificates of achievement and commendations by both the School Board and local dignitaries.

The Student Advisory Council serves as a vital conduit for student voice, ensuring that the Board of Trustees and District Administration receive invaluable ideas and feedback regarding our schools and District. Their commitment is showcased not only by attending Board Meetings but also in their bi-weekly collaborative sessions aimed at addressing school and district concerns. Meeting with these amazing students every other week is one of the best parts of my job!

Celebrating District Retirees

It was an honor for me, alongside the District's School Board and Executive Cabinet, to recognize 14 esteemed staff members retiring from the District this school year. They were honored for their remarkable dedication during a special reception in the District Office Galleria this past Tuesday afternoon. On behalf of the District, we extend heartfelt gratitude for their immeasurable contributions to the students and families of JUHSD. Here's to a well-deserved period of rest and relaxation. We hope they visit and keep in touch!

Board Meeting Highlights

During this Tuesday's May 14 Board Meeting, the Board of Trustees paid tribute to special District individuals and groups for their recent outstanding achievements and successes. Please scroll down to our "Board Meeting Highlights" section of today's Update to learn more about our amazing JUHSD leaders and programs!

Keep Scrolling

While my opening message today highlights only a handful of the events that unfolded in our District this week, I invite you to scroll below to view photos and details not only from these mentioned events, but also from other sites and community gatherings!

Two Weeks to Go

With just two weeks left in the school year, and graduation commencement ceremonies taking place this coming week and next, I wish you a restful weekend!

Warmly,

Toni Presta

Superintendent

@superintendent_tonipresta

During a special Board Meeting this past Monday, May 13, our JUHSD Student Advisory Council was honored for a year of hard work and dedication to the District. We thank these amazingly awesome student leaders for representing their schools and peers with passion and thoughtfulness. There are a few unfilled spots on next year's Student Advisory Council. If you are interested in joining, click here for application information!

Inset photo: Grade 12 Student Trustees, Juliana Woehl (OHS), Keith Guevarra (WHS), Sagar Rajan (OHS), and Caterina Sardo (TNHS), receive a special stole to wear during their upcoming graduation ceremonies; a first for the JUHSD Student Advisory Council!

JUHSD would like to congratulate the following staff members on their retirement from the District this school year, as they were honored for this great achievement during a special reception before the Board Meeting this past Tuesday, May 14:

Scott Carson, JHS

Teresa Daubert, JHS

Rondel Davis, ATP

Phrani Diksa, WHS

Lynn Hammel, WHS

Jill Hendricks, ASP

Phyllis Mendel, DO

Michael Nemeth, WHS

Helen Ogilvie, WHS

Michael O'Neill, ASP

Rita Peppers, TNHS

Rodel Saavedra, JHS

Abdulla Saleh, DO

Salie Stoner-Bennett, WHS

Miss this past Tuesday's JUHSD Board Meeting?

Scroll below to see a few highlights from the May 14 meeting!

Adult School student Angelina Cruz stands with Superintendent Toni Presta, the Board of Trustees, Adult School Principal Mark Beshirs, and her teachers after being named the District's Student of the Month for May. Scroll below to learn more about Angelina's journey to JUHSD.

The JUHSD Board of Trustees thanked students from Terra Nova High School's leadership class, cheerleading team, band program, and physical education class teacher assistants for their volunteering at this year's JUHSD Special Olympics held on the Terra Nova Bob Lotti Field on Thursday, April 25.

During this half-day event, these TNHS leaders hosted athletic games and activities for students taking part in the District's adaptive physical education program.

The District would like to also thank adaptive physical education teacher Eddie Arias for his dedicated planning and hosting of this annual event. We truly appreciate Mr. Arias, and these amazing students, for giving so much of their time and energy to this year's Special Olympics.

During Spring Break, Westmoor High School FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), under the leadership of WHS business teacher Ben Pham, competed in various Business, Finance, and Information Technology pathway events at a state conference held at the Anaheim Convention Center. 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.

JUHSD congratulations these students on representing the District at the state level. Great job!

Superintendent Presta and the Board of Trustees stand with the newly named The Certificated Employees Martha Meade Educator of the Year award.

Superintendent Presta and the Board of Trustees stand with the newly named The Sue Cook Classified Employees of the Year award.

Superintendent Presta and the Board of Trustees stand with Westmoor High School Principal Brock Ahrens after being honored with The Mike Crilly Administrator of the Year award.

JUHSD is pleased to announce that at the May 14, 2024 regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees, Jose Campos was appointed to the position of Vice Principal I of Oceana High School effective July 1, 2024. Mr. Campos is an experienced educational leader with a passion for connecting with students. He comes to JUHSD with experience of teaching Social Sciences, Spanish Immersion, and education administration. As a graduate of Oceana High School, he is excited to return to the district that shaped his passion for serving students in the field of education. Welcome back to JUHSD, VP Campos!

JUHSD is pleased to announce that at the May 14, 2024 regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees, Jonathan Ho was appointed to the position of Vice Principal I of Jefferson High School. Mr. Ho is an experienced, tri-lingual education leader with an Economics and Finance background. He is skilled at forging partnerships across the public and private sector and in rallying diverse stakeholders toward a common goal. Welcome to JUHSD, VP Ho!

Adult School Principal Mark Beshirs shared highlights from both the Adult School and Adult Transition Program. Click on the below button to view the full presentation.

Teacher on Special Assignment, Asra Ziauddin, along with Oceana High School Humanities teacher Dan Arzaga, shared updates on the implementation and success of the District's Ethnic Studies Program that was rolled out in classrooms throughout JUHSD this past school year.

JUHSD gives a special SHOUT OUT to Jefferson High School 11th grader Jeaneen Manzana and Oceana High School 9th grader Edwin Duarte Guerra for sharing their perspectives as students in the Ethnic Studies classes during the May 14 Board Meeting. Great job, Jeaneen and Edwin!

Next JUHSD Board Meeting

Tuesday, June 4, 2024, 7:00 pm

District Office Board Room 223

699 Serramonte Boulevard, Daly City

Each year, JUHSD actively engages with our community stakeholders to help refine our District's Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP). Your insights are pivotal in this process and we invite you to take a moment to review the LCAP actions and metrics summary and share your feedback with us by filling out this Google Feedback Form. We thank you for sharing your thoughts with us!

Dr. Sterling He, a current Vice Principal at Westmoor High School, will serve again as this year's Summer School Principal, working closely with Thornton High School Principal Dr. Dennie Marenco and District Deputy Superintendent of Educational Services Ms. Kareen Baca.

This summer, the District is proud to offer a number of learning pathways to support your students and their learning experiences here at JUHSD. To learn more about course offerings, and the summer school registration process, please take a look here (Spanish Version, and Tagalog Version). Summer School 2024 will be held on the Westmoor High School campus, with the first day of school taking place on Wednesday, June 5, 2024.

Parents and Guardians are asked to note that students can also complete the summer school registration process through the Westmoor High School Main Office and that drop-in counseling will take place between June 3-7, 2024, 8:30 am to 2:00 pm. To schedule a time for this, please complete this request form.

Please contact Dr. Sterling He, (650) 550-7472, with any summer school-related questions or concerns.

Returning this summer, Monday through Friday, June 5 to July 12 (excluding June 19 and July 4), the District Food Services Department will serve a free meal to current JUHSD students, one meal per student, from the Westmoor High School Cafeteria, Edgemont Drive side of the campus, 10:30-11:00 am. For additional information, please contact District Director of Food Services Danielle Sweeters, (650) 550-7961.

This past Monday, May 13, students from Terra Nova High School science teacher Charlotte Schroeder's biology class received an introduction to biotechnology creatively using micropipettes to create art while gaining hands-on experiences in this fascinating field. The blend of this technical skill and creative expression reinforces students' understanding of precise measurement while allowing them to explore the intersection of science and art at the same time. This micropipettes lesson is just one of many that the TNHS Science Department from the BABEC (Bay Area Bioscience Education Community) and support by the District.

Local students and community members are needed to help decorate for this year's Pacifica Pride Festival, held at Ingrid B. Lacy Middle School in Pacifica, on May 31, 3:00-5:00 pm and again on June 1, 9:00-10:30 am. If interested, please reach out to Pacifica Pride Committee Member Mary Bier, mbier@jeffersonunion.net.

The San Mateo County Behavioral Health Commission Youth Committee's Youth Action Board is seeking student members, especially from JUHSD!

This board believes that young leaders, like those in our schools, are essential in addressing the mental health needs of our community. Their unique insights and enthusiasm can drive positive change and create a more supportive environment for all.

If you are passionate about mental health advocacy, then this is the board in which to apply. The deadline to apply is June 1 and interested individuals can learn more and apply by clicking here.

The Minerva Scholarship program was established in 2015 by Women in California Leadership to support the advancement of postsecondary education for women. The scholarship offers female students financial assistance to meet educational expenses by annually awarding over one hundred scholarships of $3,000 each and one $10,000 Golden Minerva Scholarship. Requirements to be eligible for a Minerva Scholarship:

• Applicants must be enrolled full-time, in good academic standing at an accredited California college or university OR

• Applicants must be a graduating senior from a California high school with written proof of acceptance at an accredited institution of higher learning.

• Eligible students must identify as female.

• Have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5.

• Submit a completed online application with all required supplementary documents by the application deadline.

Please note: Applications and all supplementary documents must be submitted together online. Submissions will not be accepted via mail, in-person delivery, or through legislative offices. The deadline to apply is May 31, 2024. Learn more here.

Breaking Barriers is designed to help women successfully pursue and complete education or training in a STEM field. For 2024, Breaking Barriers will provide 5 multi-year awards of $3,000 to $5,000 per year for female students enrolled in certification, apprenticeship, or other STEM-specific job training programs, or who are pursuing a STEM degree at an accredited institution of higher learning. Requirements to be eligible for Breaking Barriers:

• Applicants must be enrolled in good standing apprenticeship, certification, or other program that provides job training for a STEM field, or supply written proof of acceptance for an apprenticeship, certification, or other program that provides job training for a STEM field; OR

• Be a student in good standing with written proof that their degree program is in a STEM-related field at an accredited college or university, with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.8.

• Eligible students must identify as female.

• Submit a completed online application with all required supplementary documents by the application deadline.

Please note: Applications and all supplementary documents must be submitted together online. Submissions will not be accepted via mail, in-person delivery, or through legislative offices. Complete requirements and details for the Breaking Barriers (including the application) are now available on the Women in California Leadership Foundation’s website

Every May, we celebrate the historical and cultural contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) – a group that includes more than 24 million Americans across the country, with 6.7 million in California alone.

The AANHPI community has made lasting contributions to our nation’s economic prosperity, technological advancements, and social/political change while navigating significant cultural and systemic barriers. Learn more through the National Endowment for the Humanities, which provides resources centering around the experiences, achievements, and perspectives of the AANHPI community. Learn more here.

Jewish American Heritage Month provides an opportunity for all to celebrate and draw inspiration from Jewish Americans’ many contributions to our nation’s history and culture.

Jewish Americans have faced discrimination and adversity, with many continuing to be impacted by antisemitism. This year, we recognize May as Jewish American Heritage Month and encourage all to celebrate Jewish Americans and work to erase antisemitism in our communities and nation. Learn more here.

Mental health is essential to our overall well-being, yet schools across San Mateo County are reporting increasing numbers of students are experiencing mental health challenges.

School-based mental health services help address barriers to learning and provide appropriate student and family support. As we enter Mental Health Awareness Month, we encourage all educators, students, and families to prioritize their mental health and support others in receiving the help they need. Needing extra support? Visit the District's Wellness Page for more!

Tomorrow is National Speech Pathologist Day and JUHSD would like to recognize the exceptional contribution made by our District Speech-Language Pathologist (SLPs). Our JUHSD SLPs play a critical role in our education system, employing their experiences to help students overcome various communication barriers.

The work of an SLP is essential in upholding our District's commitment to providing high-quality, inclusive education for every student. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to these professionals for their unwavering commitment and profound impact on the lives of our students. Learn more about this day by clicking here.