Superintendent's Message
I trust this message finds you well as we approach the end of another productive week. I am pleased to share some exciting news with you regarding the progress of the Serramonte Del Rey Neighborhood Project.
This past Wednesday, the Daly City Planning Commission unanimously granted approval for the District's request to advance the development of the aforementioned project. This milestone sets the stage for our next crucial steps, including seeking final approval from the Daly City Council in January. Thank you to all who wrote letters and / or attended the Planning Commission meeting this Tuesday. You made a difference!
As we embark on the journey towards potential implementation, support from both our community remains vitally important. I extend a sincere invitation to residents, parents, students, employees, and stakeholders to join us in this momentous venture. Your support is more critical than ever as we strive to bring this transformative project to fruition.
To express your support for this innovative initiative, please consider the following:
- Attend the Daly City Council Meeting on Monday, January 22, at 7:00 pm.
- Write a letter endorsing the project by filling out this user-friendly form found here.
Finally, I extend a heartfelt thanks to our Board of Trustees for their unwavering support of this project. Additionally, Deputy Superintendent Tina Van Raaphorst deserves special recognition for her steadfast commitment to the success of this endeavor. Please scroll below to view a few photos from this past Wednesday's meeting, along with being able to watch it through YouTube here.
I wish you a restful weekend and remember that my door is always open.
With gratitude,
Toni Presta
Superintendent
@superintendent_tonipresta
Student Shares
TNHS 9th grader Maxwell Yakhnich shares his thoughts on the SDR Project and how it will benefit JUHSD, the lowest funded high school district in San Mateo County.
Trustee Testimonial
JHS 11th grader and District Student Trustee Eden Magbilang shows support of the project through personal story and future aspirations of becoming a teacher.
District DELT Training
Yesterday, December 7, Courageous Conversation's Dr. Kehaulani Haupu facilitated an afternoon training for the District's Equity Leadership Team (DELT) in the District Office Galleria. JUHSD DELT was established with a focused mission—to spearhead the planning, facilitation, and oversight of the continuous equity initiatives within the Jefferson Union High School District.
This dedicated team, consisting of administrators, teachers, and support staff, serves as a crucial force driving the integration of equity principles across all facets of the district. Tasked with fostering an inclusive and supportive educational environment, DELT plays a pivotal role in engaging faculty, staff, and students in the comprehensive equity work undertaken by JUHSD. To learn more about Courageous Conversation. and their support the District's equity work, visit their website here.
Immigrant Resource Night A Success
This past Wednesday, the District held its annual Immigrant Resource Night in the Serramonte Del Rey Galleria. Hosted by school site social workers and our wellness staff, over 30 community organizations, that provide housing, medical, mental health, educational, work, food and essential needs, and legal services, were present at this worthwhile event, sharing valuable information, resources, and materials to the hundreds in attendance. JUHSD thanks everyone involved for their never-ending support of our academic community and beyond!
Above photo: Jefferson Elementary School District Superintendent Sandy Mikulik, Community Schools Coordinator Luisa Santos, District Wellness Coordinator Melissa Ambrose, and Student Services Program Director Stephanie Martinez receive certificates of appreciation for their planning of this event from Daly City Vice Mayor Juslyn Manalo.
Service With A Smile From ATP
On December 6, the Daly City/Colma Chamber of Commerce held its annual gala at the Lake Merced Golf Club, with the District's Adult Transition Program (ATP) students were asked to participate in this special event. The invitation for our ATP students to contribute to this event was a tremendous privilege.
ATP students were assigned the roles of official guest greeter, monitoring the check-ins and table assignments for the guests, distributing ornaments to the attendees, and efficiently managing the coat check department. Together, this dedicated team represented our District's Transition Services Program with exceptional professionalism and enthusiasm. Awesome job, ATP!
JHS Visits Pie Ranch
On Thursday, December 7, students from Jefferson High School's CTE Food and Nutrition class embarked on an enriching field trip to Pie Ranch in Pescadero. This outing provided the CTE students with a unique opportunity to forge cross-curricular connections, aiming to deepen their comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted impact of the food we consume.
The visit to Pie Ranch served as a dynamic educational experience, allowing students to witness firsthand the intricate web of factors influencing our food system. By exploring Pie Ranch's educational programs, students gained valuable insights into sustainable farm-to-table practices. To learn more about Pie Ranch's Food Education Program, click here.
Calling JHS Alumni
Do you know any Jefferson High School alumni who are in college, or just graduated from college, that might be interested in talking about their college experience to current JHS students during Alumni Day?
Jefferson High School will be hosting the second annual Jefferson Grizzlies Alumni Day for its current high school students on Wednesday, December 20, 2023.
Any Jefferson High School alumni currently in college, junior college, vocational program, or in the military, that would like to visit and talk to students about you college and major, military or trade school, please reach out to Vice Principal Adam Kubey (akubey@jeffersonunion.net) or College and Career Coordinator Shane Nichols (shane.nichols@jeffersonunion.net).
Please fill out this survey so JHS can contact you and give you the details to join us for this awesome event!
Above photo: Jefferson High's first-ever Alumni Day event, December 2022.
WHS Creates a Gratitude Tree
This past week, the Westmoor High Student Government class created a gratitude tree in the school's main hallway where anyone passing by could write on a paper leaf something in which they're truly thankful for. The response from the student body was overwhelmingly positive, as the tree quickly adorned with a colorful array of heartfelt expressions of gratitude.
Students, teachers, and staff alike found inspiration in reading the messages displayed on the leaves, fostering a sense of unity and appreciation within the school. The gratitude tree not only added a touch of warmth to the hallway but also served as a powerful reminder of the collective strength that comes from acknowledging and celebrating the positive aspects of our lives. Way to go, Rams!
Poetry Out Loud Competition
San Mateo County's Poetry Out Loud (POL) inspires in high school students and teens the confidence to make themselves heard, using one of the most powerful tools at their disposal—poetry. It encourages teens to learn about poetry through memorization, performance, and competition. Participants master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life. Click here, or check out the flier below, to learn more about this very cool completion and how you can be a sponsor a group of students from your school. Deadline to sign up is TODAY, December 8.
Become a teacher through Reach University!
Reach University, an accredited nonprofit university dedicated to advancing job-embedded degrees and credentials based out of Oakland, has announced an indefinite tuition reduction for its Intern Teacher Credential and Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree program. In lessening the financial hurdle for a greater number of bachelor’s degree holders to become credentialed teachers, the two-year program, formerly priced at $9,450 per year, will now be offered at $7,500 per year, marking a 21% decrease in cost. To learn more about Reach University's support to get you into the classroom, click here.
JUHSD's Equity Statement
Contact JUHSD: communication@jeffersonunion.net