Superintendent Community Update

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Dear JUHSD Community,

I hope this message finds you well!

I am writing to share some exciting news about our recent participation in the 2023 National Summit for Courageous Conversation© in Austin, Texas. Along with dedicated members of our District's Equity Teams (E Teams) and other educators from across the nation, I had the privilege of attending this transformative event. Summit brought together leaders, policy makers, educators, students, and community members, all united in our commitment to racial equity and social justice in education.

For this event, our JUHSD team, consisting of John Harrigan, Michelle Silva, Maritza Torres, Lillian Bussell, Megan Carey, Mika Sasaki, Angela Dodson, Michelle Fortunado-Kewin, Kalimah Salahuddin, and myself joined forces with over 1,000 change agents from various sectors, including policy makers, business and government leaders, higher education faculty and administration, and families, to discuss, embrace, and celebrate the importance of racial equity in education. Together, we engaged in meaningful sessions and workshops aimed at transforming our school systems and organizations into inclusive environments that recognize and nurture the unlimited potential of every individual.

I am immensely proud of the commitment our district has shown in providing equitable access to learning for all our students. Summit reaffirmed our dedication to creating positive, inclusive learning environments that empower every student in our academic community. Our goal is to foster a supportive network where ideas thrive, knowledge is shared, and all students are valued.

I want to express my gratitude to our staff, students, parents, and community members for your continued support. Together, we are making significant strides toward building a brighter and more inclusive future for all our learners. As we continue this important work, I encourage you to engage with us, share your thoughts, and be a part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the educational experience for every child in our district.

Wishing you and your family a restful three-day weekend. Thank you for your partnership and commitment to our shared vision of equity and excellence in education.

All my best,

Toni Presta

Superintendent

@superintendent_tonipresta

In observance of Veterans Day, all district sites will be closed on Friday, November 10. Veterans Day is a U.S. legal holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars, of which there are more than 18 million living across the country today. JUHSD thanks the veterans of our community for their service to this country.

This past Tuesday, Hollywood actor and Westmoor High alum (Class of 2000) Vincent Rodriguez III made a special visit to his alma mater. During his time at WHS, he was given a tour of the school's new state of the art theater and woodshop complex, along with visiting the school's band and guitar classes. He spent the remainder of his afternoon at WHS teaching choreography to students from the school's drama department.

Vincent Rodriguez III is famously known for his role as Josh Chan on TV's Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015-2019), along with an impressive resume of additional television and film credits. To learn more about this talented performer, visit his IMDB page here.

Westmoor thanks Vincent for taking time out of his busy schedule to share his craft with the students and staff of WHS! (Photo credit: Shirley Cruz and Alex Mullin)

This past Wednesday, November 8, was National Signing Day, a day for high school seniors to sign letters of intent to play for division one and two collegiate sports. As part of this, Terra Nova High School 12th grader Madison Donati signed her letter of acceptance to play division 1 soccer at the University of New Hampshire after graduating from TNHS. Congratulations, Madison!

Photo: 12th grader Madison Donati sits takes a photo with her parents, Nick and Tessa Donati, before signing her official letter of acceptance to the University of New Hampshire in the TNHS gym on November 8.

This past Tuesday, the Pacifica Tribune highlighted a feature on Terra Nova High School's 1983 volleyball team and their winning the Northern California championship title during the culmination of that season.

During the start of the October 24, 2023 TNHS volleyball game, current volleyball coach Kawaan Summerville introduced then coach Tonia Moe, and players Kari Trainor, Mia Tomola, Yolanda (Quintanilla) Pranza, and Doreen (Lotti) Basuino.

When Coach Tonia Moe was asked about the team winning that year's championship game, she shared that key to their successful season was that the players had common goals of respect for each other, practiced hard, had fun playing together, and shared a dedication to winning. The team played together for all four years; that certainly helped.

Click here to read the full Pacifica Tribune article. If you have a great alumni story to share, email District Director of Communication Austin Worden, aworden@jeffersonunion.net.

Photo credit: Horace Hinshaw, Pacifica Tribune

Westmoor High School Cross Country runners Ericka Dorn (12) and Jasmine Anne Combes (9) will compete this Saturday, November 11, at the Crystal Springs CCS (Central Coast Section) Division IV Championships in Belmont. Depending on their finish, both runners will have a chance to compete in the State Meet at Woodward Park in Fresno the following weekend. WHS and JUHSD wishes these two scholar athletes the very best as they represent our district this coming weekend. Run like the wind, Ericka and Jasmine!

Photo credit: Shirley Cruz

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 that 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 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