East Side Connect - January 2024
Message from the Superintendent
Hello East Side,
As we wrap up January and look back on those first semester grades, I hope they serve as motivation for the coming semester. Seniors are right now likely to finish the year strong and prepare for college. Part of that preparation is finding out how to pay for college. There are monies and support that do just that. Please look to and apply to the New FAFSA and new CADAA applications which helps students find cash for college. Our district, jointly with our community partners celebrated the launch of the new applications and highlighted our free one to one workshops available for all families and students. You learn more about the new FAFSA and new CADAA and find links to apply on our Cash for College Webpage.
At the latest Board Meeting, our Trustees voted to explore a potential Parcel Tax measure for the November 2024 ballot. Our district has always been a strong fiscal steward and has stretched every dollar to support students in their learning. In the 10 years from 2012-2022, ESUHSD saved voters nearly $62 million through bond refinancing. A Parcel Tax may bring in about $6 million to support students and will positively impact our students’ learning.
Looking ahead, we have exciting events coming up over the next few months that I invite you to join including our STEMpalooza! and our ESUHSD Family Engagement Conference. Read more about each of them below. Thank you for your continued partnership for East Side students.
Sincerely,
Glenn Vander Zee
Among the business discussed during the Board Meeting on January 11, 2024, the Board of Trustees:
Received a presentation from the Silicon Valley Career Technical Education (SVCTE) Superintendent Alyssa Lynch
Heard Presentations on School Site Progress from Principals of Andrew Hill and Evergreen Valley High School
View the Full Board Agenda for January 11, 2024
Among the business discussed during the Board Meeting on January 25, 2024, the Board of Trustees:
Recognized ESUHSD’s Technology Team
Discussed Conducting Outreach to Voters for Potential Parcel Tax Measure Amidst Bond Refinancing Savings
Heard Presentations on School Site Progress from Principals of Foothill and Mt. Pleasant High School
Board Hears Presentation from Silicon Valley Career Technical Education’s Alyssa Lynch, Superintendent, MetroED
The Board of Trustees received a presentation from Alyssa Lynch, Superintendent of MetroEd that also manages the Silicon Valley Career Technical Education (SVCTE). This program offers students career and technical education training at the SVCTE. Among the highlights from the presentation are:
87% of SVCTE students go on to a 2 or 4 year college
610 ESUHSD students are currently enrolled in SVCTE
SVCTE opened an Electric Vehicle-Auto Services course and offers Extended Learning Opportunities
Speak with your student’s counselor today if you would like to enroll your student in a SVCTE course.
Principals provide presentations on school site progress
Andrew Hill High School
Principal Jose Hernandez of Andrew Hill High School provided an overview of the programs and progress on student achievement. Among the highlights, Andrew Hill is improving student success through:
School wide focus on academic engagement of students using guidelines from the California Standards for the Teaching Profession
Intervention programs like the Freshman Transition Program
Additional outreach to students with only 1 D or F
Evergreen Valley High School
Principal Kyle Kleckner of Evergreen Valley High School provided an overview of the programs and progress on student achievement. Among the highlights, Evergreen Valley is improving student success through:
Focusing on research-based instructional strategies for students including inclusion and SDAIE strategies
Targeted Intervention Programs including Project 180 Degrees and a Targeted Math Intervention Program
“Rising Cougars” program to support students with only 1 or 2 D’s which includes targeted meetings and follow-ups as well as a CARE team to support students
Mt. Pleasant High School
Principal Dr. Adriana Rangel of Mt. Pleasant High School provided an overview of their programs and progress on student achievement. Among the highlights, Mt. Pleasant is improving student success through:
Progress Monitoring that is paired with extensive professional development with teachers focusing on appropriate and actionable feedback for students
Freshman Transition Program, Credit Recovery, Summer School, and Cyber High Class options for students
Parent engagement that includes one-on-one with students, notification to parents, and PIQE Meetings
Foothill High School
Principal Noemi Ramirez of Foothill High School provided an overview of the programs and progress on student achievement. Among the highlights, Foothill is improving student success through:
Individualized Graduation Plans and relationship building in class with Mustang Awards and bold tickets
Increasing Credit Earning Opportunities, “CEO’s” for all students
Individual family sessions for attendance improvement paired with phone calls and home visits for re-engagement
Board of Trustees Recognize ESUHSD’s Technology Team
The Board of Trustees recognized the Informational Technology Department at ESUHSD for their work in seamlessly supporting students, staff, and families. Their work behind the scenes helps make connectivity easy. They support everything from student email accounts, parent portals, WiFi across the district, classroom technology, along with the many other technology needs across ESUHSD. Congratulations to the team!
Board of Trustees Hear Update on Governor’s Budget Impact on Education
On January 10, 2024, Governor Newsom released his 2024-25 Budget Proposal. This proposal is the start of the next budget cycle and used by the District to develop the 2024-25 adopt budget. Michele Huntoon, Associate Superintendent of Business Services presented information related to the Governor's proposal.
The Governor’s initial budget projected a $68 billion deficit; the revised budget has a $38 billion budget deficit
To alleviate the budget deficit, California plans to give K-12 institutions less money than normal - only providing schools a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 0.76% to meet rising costs (for reference, in 2022 and 2023, inflation was 7% and 3% respectively)
Because of less state funding as a factor, ESUHSD projects its own budget deficit in 2025-2026
Amidst the state budget deficit, ESUHSD is exploring solutions that will continue to meet the needs of students. However, ESUHSD is facing the burden of the financial implications brought on by state decisions.
Board Asks to Conduct Outreach to Voters On a Parcel Tax
While no action was taken to put a parcel tax on the ballot, the Board of Trustees held a discussion around a potential Parcel Tax measure for the November 2024 Election. A new Parcel Tax could provide over $6 million annually. The Board of Trustees voted to conduct outreach to community members and explore the possibility of placing a Parcel Tax measure on the ballot.
Trustees Receive Update Presentation on Ethnic Studies Implementation
California’s Assembly Bill 101, approved in October 2021, required the completion of an ethnic studies course for all students starting with the graduating class of 2030. The bill explicitly requires that the Ethnic Studies course rely on ethnic studies as the primary content to teach a subject.
In the presentation, Martha Guerrero, ESUHSD’s Director of Instruction and Susan Jay, Subject Area Coordinator for Social Sciences, provided an update on the district's plan to meet the requirements. Among the content presented was:
The research-based benefits of Ethnic Studies courses
State mandates for the content needed to be included in an Ethnic Studies course
ESUHSD has 7 schools where Ethnic Studies is taught, giving the district a competitive advantage over others.
ESUHSD has a Residency Partnership with SJSU to support student teachers learning the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum
Next, ESUHSD will gather feedback from community members on the graduation requirement and bring together a teacher work group to further develop and implement the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum districtwide.
ESUHSD Presents: STEMpalooza!
Our Annual STEMpalooza! will be taking place February 10th from 11 AM - 3 PM at Independence High School. STEMpalooza! is an annual science fair where students get to showcase their ingenuity, design skills, and passion for science. You’ll get to see students present their projects and also demonstrate experiments! It’s a fun and family-friendly event open to all!
STEMpalooza!
Independence High School - Gym
619 N. Jackson Avenue
San Jose, CA 95133
February 10, 2024
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
We are also looking for judges to speak with students and rate their presentations - if you’re over 18 and would like to serve as a judge, you can sign up using our sign-up form.
RSVP to the Family and Community Engagement Conference
On March 2nd at 8:30 AM ESUHSD will be hosting the Family Engagement Conference at Yerba Buena High School. We will have workshops and resource fairs aimed at supporting family involvement in children’s education in one central place. We invite you to join us! There will be prizes, food, and dedicated workshops in Spanish and Vietnamese!
ESUHSD Family & Community Engagement Conference
Saturday, March 2, 2024
8:30 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.
Yerba Buena High School
1855 Lucretia Ave, San Jose
Get Cash for College! FAFSA and CADAA Applications Now Open!
Both the Free Application for Financial Aid and California Dream Act Application are now open, and students can begin applying for financial aid for the 2024-25 academic year. The state priority deadline in California is April 2, 2024. Some colleges may have earlier deadlines and students should check with to make sure they are meeting those deadlines.
If you need support completing your FAFSA or CADAA application, you could attend a FREE Cash for College Workshop offered throughout San Jose. These are organized by the California Student Aid Commision (CSAC) whose mission is to help low-income and first generation college-goers complete the application process so they can access financial aid for education and career/technical training beyond high school.
Explore free Cash for College Workshops near you!
ESUHSD’s LCAP Community Forums
You are invited to attend the 2024-25 LCAP (Local Control and Accountability Plan) Community Forums! The LCAP is a three-year plan that describes the goals, actions, services, and expenditures to support positive student outcomes that address state and local priorities. At the Community Forum we share information about the LCAP and gather and collect your input and feedback as to how we respond to the following question:
What are the system responses needed to ensure ALL students achieve at high levels and how do we ensure those system responses are prioritized with funding and resources including the LCAP funding ($20M) allocated for our target populations (Foster Youth, Homeless Youth, ELL, Low-Income)?
You can find more information and all Community Forum Dates on ESUHSD’s Website.
Join ESUHSD's Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee
The East Side Union High School District (ESUHSD) is recruiting applicants to serve on the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC). The Committee meets four times a year and members have the opportunity to tour recently completed projects and project sites in construction. Committee members receive information and updates on bond-funded projects in progress throughout the District. For more information on the roles and responsibilities of the CBOC and to download the application, please visit The Bond Website.
2023-2024 César E. Chávez & Dolores Huerta Education Awards Program
The César E. Chávez and Dolores Huerta Awards provides recognition for educators and their students who demonstrate an understanding of the vision and guiding principles embraced by César E. Chávez and Dolores Huerta.
This year, the California Teachers’ Association (CTA) will be hosting awards for Written Essays and Visual Arts. Students could prepare artwork and essays aligned to the contest criteria and submit their work directly to their teacher by February 13, 2024.
Get Three Years of Free College Prep with Minds Matter of Bay Area
Minds Matter of Bay Area (MMBay) is offering high-achieving, low-income students in San Jose three years of free college prep resources and access to pre-college summer programs starting sophomore year. They also provide dedicated mentors and test-prep instructors who want to help students get into top colleges in the US. Learn more and apply at the Minds Matter Website.
Community Leaders Highlight Support Available to Families to Complete FAFSA or CADAA Amidst Challenges
We’re Hiring!
Share your stories with us! Email mediarelations@esuhsd.org