East Side Connect - March 2024

Hello East Side,

I wanted to take a moment to share some news from East Side as we’re in full swing of the second semester. I know many are looking forward to enjoying Spring Break next week so I’ll make it quick!

First, I’d like to share some student successes. Almost 1,800 students were accepted to SJSU through the Spartan East Side Promise Program this year! I was honored to join a reception earlier this month where we celebrated their accomplishments. My hope is that this serves as motivation for the next class of students applying! Congratulations!

I’d like to ask you to take a few minutes to share your voice on our District by taking the 2024 Spring Family Climate Survey. This survey asks for your input on how well your school:

• Communicates important information

• Provides opportunities for your participation

• Involves you in decision-making

• Offers appropriate student supports

Participate by April 30th at bit.ly/ESUHSD2024SFS

Finally, at the latest Board of Trustees meeting, the Board approved a comprehensive School Safety and Security Audit with WestEd, an independent research organization. The audit will take place between April 2024 and December 2024 and will further develop recommendations on the priority topics shaped by ESUHSD’s Positive School Climate and Safety Task Force (more details on additional work we’ve undertaken with those priority topics below).

I look forward to continuing to update you on our work moving forward. I hope you enjoy the well-deserved break.

Sincerely,

Glenn Vander Zee

The Board of Trustees recognized ESUHSD student athletes who competed and won championships this last fall. Congratulations to all winners! Below is the list of those recognized:

The Spartan East Side Promise Program (SESP) is San Jose State University’s (SJSU) dedicated support service for ESUHSD students from the time of college exploration through college graduation. Current ESUHSD Seniors who meet eligibility criteria are guaranteed admission to SJSU!

Thanks to the collaboration with SESP and the outreach they have helped conduct to our families, 1,839 ESUHSD Seniors in the Class of 2024 applied for admission!

Thank you to the SESP program!

Learn More about the Spartan East Side Promise Program

The Board Received an update regarding the work of the Safety and Positive School Climate Task Force. Among the highlights are that:

• ESUHSD has held conversations with SJPD about available resources and on-campus safety officers. SJPD has shared that they are currently understaffed and would be unable to provide on-campus officers.

• ESUHSD has held 42 LCAP Community meetings where the community has weighed in on proactive and preventative approaches to school discipline

• ESUHSD is conducting a single point of access analysis to find solutions to multiple entryways and establishing temporary fencing until long-term solutions are possible

• ESUHSD will be conducting comprehensive site-based Safety Audits with the items identified by task force - including the de-escalating verbal and physical disturbances and discipline practices that result

• ESUHSD will continue to focus improved engagement with students where every adult on campus is an opportunity to help students feel welcome
  
  

View the Full Presentation

Aligned with a recommendation by the Safety and Positive School Climate Task Force, the Board of Trustees approved an independent school safety and security audit which will be conducted by WestEd, an independent third-party consultant.

The audit will include the development of an audit tool for onsite audits, conducting onsite audits at 16 campus sites pre-identified by the District, an audit of the District Office, developing district-wide procedural alignment checklists, and developing and presenting a final audit report.

The work of the audit will take place from April 2024 to December 2024.

Michele Huntoon, Ed.D., Associate Superintendent of Business Services provided the Second Interim report to the Governing Board for the 2023-24 fiscal year. Due to less state funding as a factor, as of Second Interim, the District is projecting a deficit of $16.8 million in 2023-24, $56.8 million deficit in 2024- 25, and $61.4 million deficit in 2025-26. Based on the District's Second Interim report and multi-year projections as of January 31, 2024, the Board approved a qualified certification to meet financial obligations to the Santa Clara County Office of Education.

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.

Read the Full Report

Both the Free Application for Financial Aid and California Dream Act Application have extended their deadlines for financial aid for the 2024-25 academic year. The state priority deadline in California is now May 2, 2024.

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 Commission (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!

• Cash for College Workshop

Additional Details on ESUHSD’s Website

Created by the State of California, CalKIDS provides up to $1,500 in free money for eligible school-aged children to help kickstart their savings for future college and career training expenses.*

Your child may already have an account established in their name. Claiming your child’s college savings account is quick and easy! Visit CalKIDS.org and have the information listed below handy.

See your transcript or speak with a counselor to find your Statewide Student Identifier (SSID) (This will be different from your ESUHSD Student Number).

Visit the CalKIDS Website for Details

The East Side Union High School District awards the "Go For It" Scholarships each year to students who are continuing to higher education. There are 17 awards in total - one, $2000 for each high school.

Scholarship recipients are selected based on the following criteria:

• Financial need

• Academic achievement - GPA above 2.5

• Participation in extracurricular activities

• Service to school/community
  
  

Go For It! Application