Superintendent Community Update

Dear JUHSD Community,

As we approach Election Day, I want to recognize the importance of civic engagement and respectful dialogue. This election season has brought a variety of viewpoints and passionate conversations, and I encourage our community to continue these discussions with understanding and respect.

I also want to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of exercising your right to vote. Voting is a fundamental part of our democratic process, and each voice matters in shaping our future. Please remember to make a plan to vote, and encourage your family and friends to do the same.

Regardless of the outcome, there may be divided opinions and strong emotions among students as we elect a new president. Be assured that our staff will continue to foster constructive conversations and maintain a supportive environment in our classrooms and schools.

Thank you for being an engaged, respectful, and informed community. I appreciate that we work together to create a thriving space where every voice matters, and every vote counts.

Enjoy your weekend!

Warm regards,

Toni Presta

Superintendent

@superintendent_tonipresta

The Jefferson Union High School District’s Board of Trustees has placed Measure Z, a parcel

tax, on the November 5 th Presidential Election ballot. If approved by voters, Measure Z will raise

approximately $3.3 million per year for the next ten years to provide Jefferson Union High

School District with the financial resources to fund programs and services. Please read the

attached Frequently Asked Questions for important information about Measure Z.

We are pleased to invite all potential incoming students to the each school's Open House Fair, see flyer below for dates. The Open House's will feature a comprehensive overview of each campus and provide you an opportunity to learn more about academics, athletics, extracurricular activities, Career Technical Education, Advance Placement courses, and more. We encourage you to share this information with friends who have middle school students.

Happy Día de los Muertos! Families across the world gather to create altars with offerings called ofrendas; decorate homes with marigolds and papel picado; and make sugar skulls and other delicious foods. Today, we remember all of our loved ones who have passed on. Learn more about the history, recipes, and other traditions at dayofthedead.holiday.

Jefferson High School will be celebrating Día de los Muertos with an amazing and unforgettable Folklorico performance with dancers from the El Amor para Todos team and Jefferson High School Students in Jefferson' s Theater, see the flyer below for more information.

Oceana High School will be celebrating Día de los Muertos with a Trunk 'n Treat Community Event. This event is free and is located at Oceana High School, see the flyer below for more information.

Happy Halloween! A big shoutout to the amazing JUHSD students and staff for showing off their creative costumes yesterday! It's fantastic to see everyone embracing the spirit of the season.

The Daylight Saving Time Change will take place this Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 2:00 am. At this time, clocks will “fall back” one hour, giving us more daylight in the dark autumn and winter mornings. See details about the history of this change and why we still observe DST today, please click on this article link from The Old Farmer's Almanac website.

National Native American Heritage Month provides the opportunity for all in San Mateo County to learn about the Ramaytush Ohlone people, their role in history, and their efforts to keep their culture alive.

Join us in recognizing November as National Native American Heritage Month and the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day. Learn more and find other resources on the San Mateo County Office of Education’s website.

This National Gratitude Month, we share our gratitude for all our educators, school staff, and families who are working tirelessly to support students this year.

Showing gratitude is more than just saying “thank you.” Research has shown that practicing gratitude enhances our moods, decreases stress, and improves our health and well-being. Spend time this month sharing your gratitude by keeping a gratitude journal, writing thank you notes, or giving back to your community.

Our district office and schools will be closed on Monday, November 11, in honor of Veterans Day. We encourage all staff and families to remember and honor the more than 18 million veterans living across the country today. Their courage, dedication, and sacrifice inspire us every day.

Westmoor student YLI leaders and Social Justice Coalition invite all JUHSD students, families, community members to the 2024 Virtual Election Town Hall on Friday, November 1st from 4-6PM via Zoom.

This virtual event will include a discussion of the importance of voting. Candidates, campaigns, propositions on your ballot will be speaking at the virtual event. This event will also include a session where participants can talk to other community members about the importance of voting and about the issues that they feel that our community should be addressing and working for positive change.

We hope you will come join this virtual event and take part in civic participation! Email Adam Kubey, TOSA over Social Studies and Civic Engagement if you have questions akubey@jeffersonunion.net

TEDx is a student-run event that hosts student and adult speakers from all over Daly City to share their ideas. It will be held after-school in Westmoor High School's Schultz Theater, on January 16th, 2025 from 4:30PM - 7:00PM. You can find all the information to attend/register with our Linktree!

The AMC is a prestigious, nationwide math competition designed to promote problem-solving skills and challenge students to engage in higher-level mathematics. The benefits of participating in the AMC include fostering critical thinking, improving mathematical reasoning, and providing students with an opportunity to compete at a national level. Students can also gain recognition for their achievements and boost their academic profiles for future opportunities. Westmoor had successfully held this competition last year and we wanted to open it for all the students in our district this year to provide everyone an equal opportunity to learn and have exposure to higher level mathematics.

If you are interested, please complete AMC Participation Form 2024 by Tuesday, November 5. Please follow the instruction in the form, there's a required arrival time survey for non-Westmoor students to complete.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us at @Westmoor Math Club

• Youth Sustainability Awards Applications Due November 11. Learn More
• Daly City Youth Poet Laureate Program Applications Due Jan 31, 2025. Learn More
• Youth Unlimited (K-12 Students) Ongoing - SamTrans provides free bus travel for eligible students. Learn more.
• Congressional App Challenge (6-12 Grade Students) - Submissions due October 24, 9:00 a.m. -Learn more.
• Annual Women in Cardiology Career Development Event (9-12 Grade Students who identify as Women) - October 26, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Learn more.
• Environmental Youth Leadership Summit (6-12 Students) November 16, 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Register by November 16). Learn more.
• Creative Youth Awards (9-12 Grade Students) - Submissions Due December 11 - Learn more.
• Hats off to Art - Win a $500 Serramonte Shopping Spree - Due September 30th
• 2024-2025 Art Takes a Bus Ride Deadline 12/20 at 5 pm

• Post Election Discourse - November 19, 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm. Learn More

• Mama's Unidas - DCYHC Mother's support Group. Learn More

• Connections California - Parents helping Parents. Learn More

• Oral Health Resources - San Mateo County oral health resources for children and families. Learn More

• ODE Parent Project - The Parent Project is a 13 week class that gives parents, grandparents, and caregivers the tools to build strong and healthy families. Learn More

• San Mateo County Polar Plunge (TK-12 Students, Families, Educators, Community Members)

  November 2, 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Learn more.

• HIP Housing Information
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