Superintendent Community Update

Dear Community,

As we celebrate Art Education Month, I want to take a moment to recognize and appreciate the profound impact of the arts in our schools. A high-quality arts education fosters creativity, critical thinking, communication skills, and social-emotional well-being—key elements that help our students succeed in all areas of life.

This past Wednesday night, we were thrilled to host a student artist reception at the District Office, where we had an incredible turnout to celebrate the creativity and talent of our students. Their artwork was nothing short of inspiring, and it was a joy to see their passion and hard work on display.

Since California passed Proposition 28, which provides approximately $11.6 million annually to support arts education in San Mateo County, we are proud to expand arts opportunities for students across our district, including:

🎨 Jefferson HS – Jewelry Making, Fashion, Mural Design
🎸 Oceana HS – Visual Arts for Certificate Program students, Rock Band
🎭 Terra Nova HS – Theater Summer Bootcamp, Full-time Music Teacher, Art Experts
🖌️ Thornton HS – Mural Design
📸 Westmoor HS – Photography, Theater Arts

A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated teachers who bring the arts into our students’ daily lives. Your work has a lasting impact—helping students express themselves, think critically, and explore new possibilities. And to our student artists, thank you for sharing your creativity and talent with us! Your work enriches our schools and our entire community.

Let’s continue to champion the arts and the incredible students and educators who make them shine!

Warm regards,

Toni Presta

Superintendent

@superintendent_tonipresta

A fun, competitive way for teachers and students to prepare for spring assessments. Let the games begin today! With prizes for teachers, students, and classrooms, plus teacher webinars to boost statewide test prep, this is an amazing opportunity to build excitement around learning and help your students succeed.

IMPORTANT DATES

• Challenge Begins: March 3rd
• Challenge Ends: April 4th
• Winners Announced: April 7th

Paper Login

Information for the District's 2025 Summer School Program is here!

We are proud to announce 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). The location is at Westmoor High School, and the first day of summer school is June 4, 2025.

Parents and Guardians, please note that:

• Students who are in need of meeting graduation requirements will be identified by the school counselors, and they will communicate with both students and you about enrolling into the summer school.

• Students can also complete the summer school registration process at Westmoor front office with the drop-in counseling during June 2 - June 6, 2025 from 8:30am to 1:30pm.

• Students who are interested in taking the acceleration/enrichment courses (Math course 3, Spanish 1, and a CTE class) will need to submit an application through this link.

Youth & Students/Seniors (65+): $10 (Youth/Students must show valid student ID upon entry)
General Admission: $20
For 3/17 - 3/24 only Barkada Presale Price:$15 (w/ the discount code: Kapwa)
Tickets available at bit.ly/islandfiesta2025

The Math Department in collaboration with other departments' teachers and students in clubs facilitated STEM-related activities during lunch for students to partake in. Additionally, the Math Department, along with members of TEDx Club, facilitated a guest speaker event for students, staff, and alumni to share their experiences in relation to this year's theme, "Math Belongingness".

Read more about Josephine Saunders in the Coastside News!

Terra Nova High School, through the Garden Club and AP Environmental Science (APES), is excited to participate in a fog harvesting research project led by a team from UC Santa Cruz. As part of the program, one fog collector garden bed will be installed to capture and utilize fog for sustainable gardening. Students and community members will collaborate with researchers over the next two years, providing fog measurements and gaining hands-on experience in innovative water conservation methods. Last Saturday, the research team, led by Professor Peter Weiss, installed the fog collector bed in the school garden. Garden Club President Ava Litz, her father Mr. Litz, and APES teacher Ms. Gutierrez were on-site to welcome the team and observe the installation. This initiative highlights the commitment of Terra Nova and JUHSD to sustainability and scientific research, offering a unique opportunity for students to contribute to real-world environmental solutions. Adviser of the Garden Club is Ms. Carew from the Counseling department.

Yesterday, Thornton High School welcomed seven accomplished speakers for Career Day, offering students valuable insights into diverse career paths. Among them was Thornton alumna Melinda Madrigal - Senior Director at PG&E (Class of 2021), Westmoor alumna Tatiana Rabon - Social Worker, JUHSD Board Member and attorney Sherrett Walker, Jessie Ruiz - Visual Effects Artist at ILM, Sharon Marenco - Entrepreneur and attended Skyline College Esthetician program, Erika Arvizo - Director of Project Management at Arveon, and Jamie Chan, Ed.D. - Executive Director at Planet Bee Foundation and Lecturer at SFSU.

Special thanks to Raising Cane's for generously donating lunch! This event was a fantastic opportunity for students to connect, learn, and be inspired for their future careers.

Join our new Sewing Class and learn all the sewing basics to create useful projects! This class is perfect for beginners and anyone eager to enhance their sewing skills.

Spring Semester 2025: Session 2 - March 20, 2025 to May 15, 2025

• In-Person Class: Thursdays only
• Time: 6:00-9:00 pm
• Location: Room 516, Main Building, Westmoor High School
• Instructor: Terri Cabarle
• Cost: $95.00 [ payable at first day of class by cash or check ]
• Register Here

Educators from Jefferson Union High School District and Skyline College joined with IBEW 617 electricians and staff from Peninsula Clean Energy Authority (PCEA) to visit the Proterra electric battery testing site in Burlingame to learn about career opportunities in electric vehicle-adjacent fields.

• JUHSD March 18, 2025 Board agenda
• Watch the recorded meeting through the JUHSD YouTube Channel

March 18th Board Meeting Highlights

• Westmoor Student of the Year - Noiva Cloy
• Victor Zou Appointed Westmoor High School Principal
• The Bridge Program Presentation
• Librarian Position Presentation
• Public Comment on Librarian Position
• Second Interim 2024/25 Budget Report Presentation
• Budget Approved as presented

Additional Information and Upcoming Board meetings

The next regularly scheduled Board Meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Public open session begins at 7:00 pm (unless otherwise noted) on the JUHSD YouTube channel and in person at the New District Office, 123 Edgemont Drive, Daly City.

• JUHSD Governance Calendar
  
• Board Agendas Online
  
• Meet Our Trustees

In Memoriam

JUHSD has a longstanding tradition of honoring members of our beloved community who have passed. In order to ensure that we are informed, we ask that you follow a new process. If you would like a community member's passing to be acknowledged at a Board meeting, please complete the form and submit it by the Wednesday prior to that Board meeting.

Great news: college financial aid applications are now being accepted! Apply today to maximize your financial aid opportunities and see if you qualify for free money to attend a California college, university, or vocational school – regardless of your documentation status. This year, students have through April 2nd to submit their applications. Even if you think you don’t qualify, many college scholarships require you to apply for financial aid. Learn more at www.smcoe.org/financialaid and https://www.csac.ca.gov/

Jefferson Union School District is cordially invited to join Canada College as strategic partners by bringing JUHSD students and parents to participate in the 13th Annual OYE Latinx Youth Conference on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at Cañada College. Last year, more than 500 youth and parents participated, exploring ideas and engaging in meaningful conversations about culture, identity, community challenges, and future possibilities. The conference included interactive workshops, inspiring keynote speakers, resource and networking sessions.

• Burlingame CEC Film Festival Deadline March 23
• JETAANC Scholarship (Graduating Seniors) New! Due March 28 by 5:00 p.m. Learn more.
• SMC Crop Report Art Contest Deadline March 28
• OCAP Kids’ Art Contest Deadline April 9th
• San Mateo County Association of Grand Jurors Scholarship (Graduating Seniors, College Students) New! Application due Friday, April 25 Learn more

• Win Tickets to NHRA Sonoma Nationals - Register by July 23, 3:00 p.m. Learn more.

• Summer Interns and Big Lift Summer Learning Facilitators

• Youth Unlimited (K-12 Students) Ongoing - SamTrans provides free bus travel for eligible students. Learn more.
• Take Space to Pause

• Parent Project class start dates have been postponed from March 4th and 5th to March 18th (virtual English class), March 19th, (first virtual Spanish), March 20th, (second virtual Spanish class ,this class has been added!)

• San Mateo County Health Coverage Enrollment Assistance

• HIP Housing Information

• Transition to Adulthood: Connections California | Transición a la Edad Adulta: Connections California

• Silicon Valley Reads
• Preventing Underage Drinking

• Public Health Resources Learn more.

• San Mateo County Health Information

• SMC Mobile Clinic Schedule
• Health Coverage Enrollment Assistance for Low- to Mid-income Residents or San Mateo Medical Center Patients (in English and Spanish)

• San Mateo County Health Vaccine Guidance (English | Spanish).

• Mama's Unidas (Spanish Speaking) - DCYHC Mother's support Group. Learn More

• Mama's United (English Speaking) - DCYHC Mother's support Group. Learn More

• Connections California - Parents helping Parents. Learn More

• Oral Health Resources - San Mateo County oral health resources for children and families. Learn More

• Daly City/Colma Chamber of Commerce Events Calendar

• Science Instructional Leaders Community of Practice - Beginning March 25, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Learn more.

• Noe Music “The Living Earth” - April 12th at 12 pm