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,

As we approach the upcoming Fall Recess, I want to take a moment to extend warm wishes to you. It is with great pleasure and gratitude that I have the privilege of serving our incredible school district!

I appreciate our students for their hard work, enthusiasm, and dedication to their studies and school activities and I am proud of their kindness toward others. Parents and guardians, thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in your child's education. Your involvement and encouragement play a vital role in creating a nurturing and enriching environment for our students and we are thankful for your support.

And, finally, I am grateful for the incredible team we have assembled. From teachers who ignite the flame of knowledge in our students, to support staff who ensure the smooth functioning of our daily operations, and administrators and trustees who provide guidance and vision – each role contributes significantly to our shared goal of ensuring access, opportunity, inclusion and belonging for every one of our students.

As we all take a well-deserved break, I encourage you to embrace the opportunity for relaxation and quality time with family and friends. Whether you plan to get outside in nature, engage in hobbies, have fun with your family and friends, or simply get some sleep, I hope you have a great week!

I look forward to welcoming everyone back reenergized and ready to finish the semester strong!

With gratitude,

Toni Presta

Superintendent

@superintendent_tonipresta

In observance of our District's fall recess, all school sites will be closed Monday, November 20 through Friday, November 24 with school resuming on Monday, November 27.

The District Office will be open to the public during the following hours next week:

• Monday: 8:00 am-4:00 pm
• Tuesday: 8:00 am-4:00 pm
• Wednesday: 8:00 am-12:00 pm
• Thursday & Friday: Closed

The completion of the Serramonte Del Rey Neighborhood Project will be a win-win for our District and the City of Daly City, generating badly needed revenue for the School District's educational programs, while creating much needed housing for the community. We are very close to getting the approvals needed by the city of Daly City, but WE NEED YOUR HELP TO GET THIS TO THE FINISH LINE!

Please show your support for this innovative project by doing one, or ALL, of the following:

• Attend the Daly City Planning Commission Meeting on Tuesday, December 5 @ 7:00 pm
• Attend the Daly City Council Meeting on Monday, January 22 @ 7:00 pm
• Write a letter in support of the project to the Daly City Planning Commission or Daly City Council. Those letters can be emailed to cityclerk@dalycity.org with the subject, “Public Comment.”

Planning Commission and City Council Meeting Location

City Hall

333 90th Street

Daly City

Please sign up to get links to form letters and reminders for meetings by CLICKING HERE!

If you have any questions, please contact Tina at tvanr@jeffersonunion.net or (650) 550-7954.

Westmoor High School Cross Country runner Ericka Dorn (12) will compete on Saturday, November 25, at the State Meet at Woodward Park in Fresno. When asked about this accomplishment, Ericka said, "I feel great knowing I made it to State! I am super excited to race in Fresno." She gives a special shout-out to Cross County Coaches DiMaggio and Park for supporting her with training, along with her family and teammates for their encouragement. WHS and JUHSD wishes Ericka the very best as she represents our district during this exciting event. Way to go, Ericka! #juhsdproud

This past Monday, November 13, former Congresswoman Jackie Speier visited Oceana High School to speak with the senior class. As students are studying about the Legislative Branch in Humanities, they had opportunity to ask questions about the Congresswoman's experience in the House of Representatives. Students Maya Austin and Chloe May greeted the Ms. Speier and shared tidbits about OHS with her. Kevin Vera Cruz introduced Ms. Speier to the students and Sagar Rajan, Isaac Adams and Leila Hakimi moderated a Q and A with questions generated by the senior class prior to this visit. Ms. Speier talked about polarization and structural barriers hindering the effectiveness of Congress today. She also addressed the importance of young people's involvement in everything from voting to running for office. To learn more about Ms. Speier, click here.

Various Westmoor High departments embraced the month of November with special events hosted and honored in the school's library. Ms. Graciela Eulate's art classes kicked off the month with a Dia De Los Muertos event where students could place childhood memories, along with written reflections, on an Ofrenda created in the library. Students from Madame Alex Mullin's French classes honored Toussaint Day by drawing remembrance flowers on the glass of the library's courtyard, along with creating paper flowers, as flowers are an important part of this tradition. Way to go, Rams!

Hosting cool and exciting events at your site? We want to hear about it! Share your school events with communication@jeffersonunion.net today!

This past week, Westmoor High 9th grade English teachers Paige Tagliafico and Maria Elena Urquico hosted the school's first-ever Freshmen Film Fest. Held in the WHS Schultz Theater on November 9, 9th graders from seven cohorts gathered together to watch a screening of "In the Heights" where they were then encouraged to mingle with each other and explore connections between the film and Sandra Cisneros' The House on Mango Street. Along with exploring common themes between the two pieces of work, critical disclosure and interactive discussions were had, too.

Teachers! Do you have a school event or project you'd like to see featured in the Friday Superintendent Updates? If so, email communication@jeffersonunion.net.

This past Wednesday, November 15, representatives from The Experiment in International Living, along with JUHSD students who recently participated in this program, held an assembly for Westmoor High School language class students in which they shared valuable insights into the transformative experiences that await participants in their study abroad programs, three to four week's long during the month of July.

The Experiment invites sophomores and juniors from the Jefferson Union High School District to apply for partial scholarships from the Woodlawn Foundation. Each scholarship can cover between $1,000 and $7,000 depending on need and program placement.

This summer, the Experiment offers high school summer abroad programs on four continents that empower young people to step off the beaten path, experience the world as a classroom, immerse themselves fully in another culture, and build the knowledge and skills needed to confront critical global issues. To learn more about this lifechanging program and how to apply, click here. For additional information, please contact WHS Foreign Language Department Chair Alex Mullin, amullin@jeffersonunion.net.

Inset photo: Ethan Wong, Program Donor Sue West, Linh Nguyen, Shannon Mercado, Ethan Towle, Adrin Tuason, Program CEO Carol Jenkins. (Photo credit: Alex Mullin)

During halftime of the November 3rd varsity football game vs. Half Moon Bay, athletes from Terra Nova High's 1988 varsity football team were honored for their wining the Central Coast Section Championship game during the end of that year's season. To read more about this special 35th anniversary event, click out this past Wednesday's online feature from the Pacifica Tribune.

Photo credit: Horace Hinshaw, Pacifica Tribune

This week, we promoted love, diversity, and inclusivity as part of United Against Hate Week, November 13-17. Acts of hate and implicit bias threaten efforts to create safe spaces for students to learn and grow. Join us in our continued efforts of embracing diversity and building inclusive and equitable communities across JUHSD and San Mateo County. Find resources for children, teens, and parents at unitedagainsthateweek.org.

This week, November 13-17, we acknowledge American Public Education Week by thanking all who work in our district to provide a high quality education for our students. The District is immensely proud of our schools and staff who go above and beyond the call of duty to make JUHSD the best place in which to be! To learn more about this week, click here.

On Friday, November 17, we honor National Substitute Educators Day, a day dedicated to acknowledging the invaluable role played by substitute educators. These professionals serve as a vital link in the education of public schoolchildren, seamlessly stepping in to ensure the continuity of quality education during the temporary absence of regular classroom educators. Their dedication and contribution play a crucial part in maintaining a seamless and uninterrupted learning experience for students. To the current guest teachers of JUHSD, we thank you! Learn how you can become a guest teacher by checking out JUHSD's current job openings here!

Monday, November 20, is National Transgender Remembrance Day, a time for the LGBTQ+ community to honor, celebrate, and uplift the trans community. With anti-trans rhetoric and legislation at all-time highs, now more than ever, we need to listen to our trans community about our experiences. To learn more about ways in which you can honor and support this week, including resources and guides, please visit the Human Rights Campaign's website.

As stewards of our school district's identity, we would like to remind you that the unauthorized usage of district and school logos, names, and insignia is not only a violation of our guidelines, but also undermines the integrity of our educational community. We take great pride in our identity, and it is crucial that we maintain a consistent and positive representation.

Therefore, we want to emphasize that any misuse of district and school logos, names, and insignia without proper authorization is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, the creation of fake accounts on social media platforms.

Please be aware that we actively monitor online platforms, and instances of unauthorized use will be reported. It is our responsibility to ensure that the representation of our school district remains accurate and respectful.

We encourage you to reach out to us by emailing communication@jeffersonunion.net if you have any questions, or if you seek permission for the appropriate use of our logos and insignia. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in upholding the standards that make our educational community strong and united.

The Daly City Youth Health Center is proud to announce the start of their Muslim American Women's Group. This purpose of this group is for young adult women, in their late teens to mid-twenties, to hold space in exploring major topics in developing their identity and religious affiliation to Islam. The group will address various conversations around Islam, American societal norms, healthy relationships, and expectations of women in both cultures. The group's first gathering will take place on December 1, 5:00 pm, Daly City Youth Health Center, 350 90th Street, Third Floor, Daly City. Please see the flier and contact Shaista Khanoon, c_skhanoon@smcgov.org, for additional information.

Needing to move? HIP Housing, a non-profit, affordable housing organization in San Mateo County, is here to help! If you have a spare room in your home that you're wanting to rent, or are looking for a room to rent, check out this month's Home Sharing Program fliers by clicking on this link: Home Sharing Program Fliers in English and Spanish. For more information on this program, contact HIP Housing at (650) 348-6660.

The Jobs for Youth Al Teglia Scholarship program provides 20 youth with $2,000 each. Scholars are selected for financial and personal need, and all Scholars demonstrate a clear desire to succeed. The program is open to Jobs for Youth Members ages 16-21 who reside in San Mateo County. Applicants must be at least a junior in high school and have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.

The Al Teglia Scholarship program can help you on your journey toward earning an Associate degree, Bachelor’s degree, or vocational training certificate, with the goal to help enroll students in their next semester of classes and to increase your likelihood of graduating. If you have any questions or concerns about your eligibility, please contact us at jobsforyouth@smcgov.org. Students, click here to apply.

At Tri Counties Bank, their mission is to improve the financial success and well-being of the people living throughout Northern and Central California. One way they fulfill this mission is through our investment in community-minded and intellectually-gifted students.

In partnership with the Community Foundation of the North State, Tri Counties Bank awards scholarships totaling $110,000 to students attending community colleges, trade schools, and four year colleges/universities.

Scholarships are awarded to high school seniors — especially, though not exclusively, to those who are economically disadvantaged — who demonstrate interest in public service, community engagement and business entrepreneurship.

Learn more about their scholarship opportunities by clicking here.

Raise your hand if your students could use help after-hours! JUHSD teachers and students have free access to PAPER’s professional tutors, 24/7! Log in by clicking HERE or check out paper.co for more information.

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.

Follow us on Instagram @juhsd1 and use the hashtag #juhsdproud

Email: communication@jeffersonunion.net
Website: www.juhsd.net
Location: 699 Serramonte Boulevard, Daly City, CA, Suite 100
Phone: (650) 550-7900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JUHSD1