As we approach the Veterans Day holiday, let's take a moment to reflect on the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of the men and women who have served in our nation’s military. This day offers us an opportunity to honor our veterans and express gratitude for their unwavering commitment to protecting the freedoms we hold dear.

Ketchup Day - We are excited to share the results of our recent Ketchup Day event, held on Monday, October 28th, where a total of 848 students participated! The day provided an opportunity for students to catch up on assignments, improve their academic standing, and engage with their studies in a meaningful way.

We're thrilled to announce that 10% of participants—84 students—saw a positive impact on their grade point average as a result of their efforts on Ketchup Day! This is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our students.

As a fun reward for their participation, all students who took part in Ketchup Day were treated to a delicious lunch of hot dogs, chips, and a drink on Friday, November 8th. It was a great way to celebrate their commitment to improving their academic success.

A huge thank you goes out to the 24 teachers who played an essential role in providing this valuable opportunity for our students. We also want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to our On Track/Tier 1 team for their excellent work in organizing and planning this event. Your efforts are helping our students stay on track and thrive!

EDHS Band - Our EDHS Band earned a Silver Medal at the Orange Cover Band Invitational! Out of 13 bands in their division, our talented students placed 4th, showcasing incredible skill, dedication, and teamwork.

A huge congratulations to our students and band directors for this achievement! Their hard work and commitment to excellence continue to shine. We are so proud of their performance and can't wait to see what’s next as they prepare for the upcoming Regional Championships next week.

UC Application Workshop (11/12) - Students can attend the UC Application Workshop on Tuesday, November 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the library. This is a great opportunity for students to get assistance with their UC applications.

FAFSA Informational Session (11/12) - Parents and students are invited to an informational presentation on FAFSA on Tuesday, November 12, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the library. Learn all about the FAFSA process and how to maximize financial aid opportunities for college

Student Task Force Meeting (11/13) - Our Student Task Force will meet on Wednesday, November 13, during Homeroom. This is a valuable opportunity for students to provide feedback and share their ideas for improving our school.

School Climate Survey - As a part of our commitment to creating more positive and supportive learning environments, all students in Grades 5 through 12 will participate in a short survey intended to gather valuable student perception data on school climate. This fall, we will be asking all sites to administer the School Climate Survey. This voluntary survey will be administered to all students in Grades 5 through 12, Tuesday, November 12th and Friday, November, 15th.

Measuring school climate is critical for improving the practices and support staff provide to students to create a positive school climate and culture. This data allows the Visalia Unified School District to understand the perceptions of the students, staff, and parents in our schools across our district. This allows our district to monitor progress; make data-driven decisions; involve stakeholders; and adapt to shifting needs related to school climate.

The US Department of Education developed the ED School Climate Surveys (EDSCLS), which includes school climate surveys for students, instructional staff, non-instructional staff, and parents/guardians. Student and parent surveys are optional and can be completed either in English or Spanish.

A copy of the survey questions can be found here. Student Survey English, Student Survey Spanish

World Kindness Day (11/13) - This November 13th marks World Kindness Day, a day dedicated to reminding us of the power of kindness and its ability to make a positive impact in our communities and around the world. Whether big or small, acts of compassion, generosity, and understanding can transform lives and inspire others.

At EDHS, kindness is at the heart of everything we do. It strengthens our school community, promotes inclusivity, and helps create an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and respected.

In celebration of World Kindness Day, we invite all students and staff to participate in a Kindness Chain. Here’s how it works: Each student and staff member will write down an act of kindness they plan to do on a piece of paper. The papers will then be collected by ASB and linked together to create a kindness chain, which will be displayed on campus as a symbol of our collective commitment to kindness.

As we continue to strive for excellence in our educational practices, please take the time to examine the student data from Marking Period 2. This important data will help guide us as we evaluate and adjust our school policies, instructional strategies, and intervention plans to better support our students' learning and growth.

By analyzing trends and identifying areas for improvement, we can ensure that we are meeting the diverse needs of our students and providing the best possible educational experience.

I am incredibly proud of the dedicated efforts from our El Diamante staff and administration in creating dynamic college and vocational resources. Each week, our Student Services team hosts valuable college and career presentations, as well as workshops designed to help students explore their future opportunities. The commitment to providing our students with the tools and resources they need to succeed is truly inspiring. One highlight is our library's "Big Future" wall created by AVID, which serves as a visual reminder and inspiration for students to dream big and work toward their goals. It’s exciting to see our school fostering a culture of ambition and achievement!