

Superintendent Community Update
March 15, 2024

Superintendent's Message
Dear JUHSD Community,
If you sent me an email this week, you may have noticed that you received an automatic response. I have rearranged my calendar in order to spend more time in our schools and classrooms and will strive to respond to emails within 24 hours.
As superintendent, I am the instructional leader of the District. It is my responsibility to ensure high quality and equitable learning in our schools and to foster student engagement and achievement. I am focused on providing access and opportunity for our students so that all students achieve at their highest potential and feel a sense of belonging in their school community. In order to do that, I must be present in our schools and classrooms.
To do this important work, I must step away from my computer and get into classrooms. When you receive my automatic response, know that my assistant is monitoring my emails and will ensure that I receive messages that require immediate responses in a timely manner.
Thanks for your understanding!
I hope that you get out and enjoy a great weekend!
Warmly,
Toni Presta
Superintendent
@superintendent_tonipresta
SDR Ordinance Signing Ceremony
This past Monday, March 11, District, community and local union leaders convened in the office of Daly City Mayor Juslyn Manalo as she signed the official ordinance for the Serramonte Del Rey Neighborhood project. Thanks to all who have supported our district in this process!
🎶 GREASE Opens Tonight at Westmoor 🎶
This large-scale production in the school's new theater is the one that you want!
Springfest TONIGHT at Oceana High School
A Free Community Event!
THS Visit Levi's Stadium for STEAM Event
This past Wednesday, March 13, students from Thornton High School attended the San Francisco 49ers Foundation for Success event held at Levi's Stadium. During this presentation, THS joined other local students from neighboring school districts to learn about STEAM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) career paths from leading companies in the Bay Area.
The 49ers Foundation harnesses football to educate and empower Bay Area youth through collective and innovative community-focused strategies. From award-winning STEAM education and nationally recognized youth football programs, to impactful community partnerships with leading nonprofits, the 49ers Foundation is tirelessly dedicated to inspiring the confidence and collaboration youth need to tackle what is possible. To learn more about this amazing program, click here. THS and JUHSD thanks the San Francisco 49ers for providing this opportunity to our students!
Inset photo: Microsoft Director of Strategic Partnerships James Bernstrom chats with THS about careers in STEAM while checking out a vintage 49ers helmet during the March 13 event.
No School for Students on March 20
Staff Development Day This Wednesday
Please note that students will have the day off this coming Wednesday, as all sites will be closed on March 20 for a districtwide staff development workday. All sites will reopen on Thursday, March 21.
To see remaining days off for this school year, including the Spring Break recess April 8-12, click here.
📣 JUHSD Staff Shout Out 📣
Martine Kelsch, Jefferson High School
JUHSD gives a special shout-out to Jefferson High School Activities Director Martine Kelsch for receiving the Outstanding Service Award this past weekend at the state CADA (California Association of Directors of Activities) Conference held in Reno!
Selected by her state counterparts, Ms. Kelsch was named the recipient of this award for her exemplifying the leadership that improves the quality of student activities at JHS, along with the consistent level of commitment and care she gives to the JHS community.
Criteria for receiving this award includes:
- Participation in CADA as a member of an area council and as a presenter at a state or area conference, along with involvement in the CADA Summer Leadership Camp Program.
- Providing positive leadership to the receipt's own school activities program.
- Serving as a mentor for others involved in student activities.
- Understanding the role student activities play in helping develop a positive school climate.
Our site activities directors work hard to create campus environments that are inclusive, safe, and fun; this is something Ms. Kelsch does extremely well. Congrats on this honor, Ms. Kelsch! To learn more about CADA, click here.
An event for 12th graders planning to attend SFSU!
Free Dresses for Prom
Free Tax Help from United Way Bay Area
The United Way Bay Area has partnered with Free Tax Help Bay Area, a coalition of organizations providing free tax help for low to moderate income working individuals and families, the elderly, and disabled. Through this program, secure tax services are provided for free by trained IRS-certified volunteers. To learn more about this program, please click here.
Get Housing Support from HIP
Extended Deadline - April 1!
Save the Date: OYE Latinx Youth Conference
Latino youth (ages 12-22), and their guardians who live in San Mateo County, are invited to attend the return of the annual OYE Conference, an in-person event Saturday, March 23, 2024.
At this conference, held in person at Cañada College in Redwood City, youth and their guardians will explore ideas and discussion on culture, identity, obstacles their communities face, and opportunities for the future through interactive workshops, keynote speakers, performers and community networking.
To register for this event, please call (650) 834-3038. To view highlights from OYE’s 2023 event, please click here: OYE Conference 2023. For additional information, please click on the below flier or visit Facebook and Instagram pages.
Essay and Visual Arts Scholarships Available
The California Armenian Legislative Caucus Foundation is holding two scholarship contests for the 2024 commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. High school students in ninth through twelfth grades are invited to participate in an essay contest and/or a visual arts contest to increase awareness of the Armenian Genocide. The submission deadline for both contests is on Friday, March 29, 2024, 11:59 pm. Learn more here.
Safe Routes to School Parent/Caregiver Survey
An Internship Opportunity for Recent Graduates
Scholarship Opportunity For Hard of Hearing 12th Graders from HLAA - Info Below
Click on the attached application to apply!
Scholarship Opportunity for Seniors from San Mateo County Grand Jurors Assoc.
Click on the attached application to apply!
Arts Education Month
A high-quality arts education is an essential part of a student's journey. Engaging in art fosters creativity and innovation, promotes critical thinking, enhances communication skills, builds cultural awareness, boosts academic performance, and nurtures students' social and emotional well-being – in essence, arts education helps students achieve personal and academic success.
California has come a long way to ensure all students have equitable access to the arts with the passage of Proposition 28, which will bring approximately $11.6 million annually to San Mateo County. Thank you to all of our teachers who help bring the arts into our students’ daily lives!
Women's History Month Continues
As March is Women's History Month, we'll continue to honor women who have positively transformed and impacted the landscape of our society. Today, we share with you the untold history of women in science and technology.
From scienceworld.ca, learn about ten women in the fields of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, and math) who changed the world through their life-changing and groundbreaking discoveries and accomplishments.
Image: Mae Jemison, the first Black woman to travel into space in 1992.
JUHSD's Equity Statement
Contact JUHSD: communication@jeffersonunion.net