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October 26, 2018
Alternate Income Forms Due October 31
Dear Parents/Guardians,

Under the new Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), a portion of state funding will be determined based on the demographics of student population, with higher funding on a per student basis for districts like ours that have large concentrations of low-income, English Language Learner and foster student populations. Therefore, we are required to establish and confirm the number of students that represent these categories by having families complete the official Alternate Income Form.

Our goal is to ensure that our schools receive the maximum amount of funds we are eligible to receive by encouraging district parents to complete the Alternate Income Form. To receive the maximum amount, we must have 100% of eligible students/families complete the form.

By completing the form and turning it in as soon as possible, you will help us reach our goal and enable us to better serve our students.

Please complete the application online at https://lcff.stocktonusd.net   by the October 31 deadline. Thank you.

Students Walk the Red Carpet for Premiere of "Inside the Filmmaker's Studio"
Fifty-five students with developmental delays from Stockton Unified, Lodi Unified, and the San Joaquin County Office of Education received the star treatment as they arrived at the Bob Hope Theatre in limousines for the red-carpet premiere of “Inside the Filmmaker’s Studio,” a collection of short films created by the students during filmmaker Joey Travolta’s Inclusion Films two-week summer film camp.

Hundreds of community members, relatives and paparazzi crowded around to cheer for students as they walked the red carpet and posed for photos. Students were pampered at the University Waterfront Hotel prior to the premiere with hair, makeup, and fittings for gowns and tuxedos- they looked and felt incredible!

"Creating memories is a priceless gift and the community of Stockton was very generous last night," said SUSD Special Education Program Specialist Steve Bartles. "Thank you to over 600 people who came out to support our students. What an amazing night!"

SUSD Cuts the Ribbon on New Head Start Center
Dozens of community members, staff, parents, and dignitaries joined the SUSD Early Childhood Education Department to cut the ribbon on the new Martin Luther King Jr. Head Start Center, located next to King Elementary School.

The new center includes three beautiful classrooms stocked with books, paint, blocks and everything else that will allow our youngest learners to explore, question and succeed at their own individual pace. The center is one of the ninety-three preschool programs available in the district. 

“We believe that the journey of lifelong learning, positivity, and civic responsibility begin with preschool and are thankful that so many in the Stockton community share in our vision of equitable access to high-quality early childhood education,” said SUSD Early Childhood Education Administrator Suzanne Devitt.

SUSD Superintendent John Deasy and Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs both spoke to the importance of early education during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Mayor Tubbs credited his time during Head Start to his later success as a Stanford graduate, White House intern, and Stockton mayor. 

Superintendent Deasy also spoke to the significance of the center's namesake before introducing King Elementary student Christopher Atkins to recite the famous "I Have A Dream" speech given by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963. 

SUSD Police Department Launches Law Enforcement Explorer Program
By: The SUSD Police Department
The Stockton Unified School District (SUSD) Police Department is excited to announce the start of the district’s very first Law Enforcement Explorer Program!
 
Law Enforcement Exploring is a volunteer career education program for young men and women, ages 14-20, interested in law enforcement. In partnership with the Stockton Unified School District Police Department, Explorers will receive training and education in various aspects of police work, such as criminal law, crime scene investigation, first aid, traffic enforcement, patrol procedures, and more!
 
Explorers will have first-hand opportunities to experience police work through a structured ride-along program, and participate in regular meetings consisting of a mix of classroom training and hands-on application of learned skills. Explorers will also have opportunities to provide community services during public events such as traffic control, search and rescue, and natural disaster response. Explorers may perform volunteer services at the department and participate as role-players in training exercises. Sworn Police Officers will supervise Explorers at all events. The Explorer Post will also organize social activities not related to law enforcement for fun and team development.
 
If you are interested in joining SUSD Police Department’s Law Enforcement Explorer Program, please attend an informational meeting on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 from 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. to learn more. The meeting will be held at our Police Department located at 640 North San Joaquin Street in Stockton, CA.  Any questions regarding the Program can be directed to Sergeant Rob Young or Lieutenant Richard Barries at 209-933-7085.
UC President Janet Napolitano Visits Franklin High School
University of California President Janet Napolitano joined community leaders at Franklin High School today to speak to students about how a UC education is within reach. In her first visit to the region as UC president, Napolitano discussed the expansion of the university’s Transcript Evaluation Service (TES), which provides students with personalized guides to college eligibility.

Napolitano began the visit by meeting with eighth-grade International Baccalaureate students and their parents to answer questions about preparing for college. Napolitano also spoke about the UC application process and the availability for financial aid through the UC’s Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan, which waives tuition costs for all students with families who earn less than $80,000 a year.

President Napolitano joined SUSD Superintendent John Deasy, U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney, Assembly member Susan Talamantes Eggman, Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs, and others for a rally with 500 Franklin students to discuss the lifelong benefits of a UC education and the availability of financial aid.
UC Davis staff also met with juniors and seniors throughout the day to provide advising sessions and administer workshops about financial aid and the UC application process.

Thank you to President Napolitano and all dignitaries who joined us for this incredible visit!

SUSD Unites Against Bullying
Stockton Unified schools took a stand against bullying by celebrating Unity Day, the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month. To participate in Unity Day, faculty, staff, and students wore orange to show support for students who have been bullied.

Students at Hong Kingston Elementary attended their annual Unity Day march around the playground, complete with orange banners and students chanting, “No more bullying.” Students then attended a special play of "Giraffes Can't Dance" presented by PLUS students.

Many more across the district were led by students in the PLUS program, a youth-facilitated program that utilizes social leadership qualities to connect all students on a campus.

Unity Day is part of PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Month. For information and resources, visit  PACER.org/bullying .

Parent Tip: Talk About Making Decisions
Provided by the SUSD Parent/Community Empowerment Department
As kids grow older, they have to learn how to make good choices, both in school and at home. Help your child learn by making her aware of the decisions she makes every day. Some decisions are trivial. Some are very important. Help your child think about what makes a decision responsible, such as how it affects others, and whether it helps your child achieve a goal or meet an expectation. Assure her that she can make responsible decisions every day. Talk with your child about important decisions you have made. Discuss things like buying a car or choosing a career. Help her understand some of the things you considered while making the decision.
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Photo Galleries
Nine Inducted Into the
Edison Hall of Fame

On Saturday, October 20, nine individuals were inducted into the Edison High School Hall of Fame. The EHS Hall of Fame was founded in 1988 by Veto Ramirez to recognize outstanding graduates of Edison High School who serve as an inspiration for students. Congratulations to the Edison High School Hall of Fame Inductees of 2018:

  • Lillian Galedo
  • Patsy Gomez
  • Harrison Hon Lee
  • Peter Juarez
  • Coach Richie Lynch
  • Tanisha Denise Manning, PhD
  • Kenneth Natsuhara, DDS
  • Erlinda Luciani Selga
  • Clyde Wong, MD

Victory Elementary Holds
Pet Rock Contest

Victory Elementary teachers and students participated in the school's first-ever pet rock contest this month! Throughout the day, classrooms filed out to the playground to choose a rock and paint it based on their theme! The theme for students was "Critters of my environment," while the theme for teachers was "My Dream Garden." Rocks and supplies were donated by Elementary Landscape Materials.

Jennifer Newsom and Anna Nti-Asare-Tubbs Visit Chavez

Jennifer Newsom and Anna Nti-Asare-Tubbs visited Chavez High School to discuss about combating gender stereotypes.

College Motivation Day
at Monroe Elementary

Students at Monroe Elementary welcomed representatives and mascots from University of the Pacific and the Stockton Heat to their school rally focused on attending college. Representatives from Pacific's Beyond Our Gates presented the school with rewards for their excellent participation in the September Every Day Counts Attendance Challenge.

International Ombuds Day

In honor of International Ombuds Day on October 11, 2018, we'd like to introduce our District Ombudsperson, Fhanysha Gaddis! Our Ombuds Office serves as a neutral intermediary to help students, parents, employees and the community express concerns, resolve disputes, manage conflict and learn productive ways of communicating. The office is confidential, impartial, informal and independent. 

Learn more about the SUSD Ombuds Office on our website at: www.stocktonusd.net/ombuds .
Walton Thanks SUSD Maintenance and Operations Department

The Walton Special Center held a 'Donuts and Coffee Appreciation Drive Thru' for the SUSD Maintenance and Operations Department for their hard work and commitment to students.

Johns Hopkins University Professor Leads SUSD Family Engagement Workshop

The Stockton Unified School District (SUSD) Parent/Community Empowerment Department will host a two-day “Family Engagement & Partnership Workshop” with guest speaker Dr. Joyce Epstein of Johns Hopkins University.  

The workshop will focus on building awareness to enhance district and school programs and partnerships with families. Community partners will learn the components of research-based programs for school, family, and community partnerships. Other topics of discussion include: Parenting, communication, volunteering, learning at home, decision making, and collaboration with community.
 
“I’m ecstatic to create more opportunities for families to support the educational success of his or her children,” said the SUSD Parent/ Community Empowerment Coordinator Kennetha Stevens. “Working with Dr. Epstein has allowed the Parent/Community Empowerment Department to create more sustainability within our family engagement work.”

SUSD Police Department Holds Fall Open House and
Trunk-or-Treat

Hundreds of Stockton youth filed through the doors of the SUSD Police Department to tour the facility and participate in their trunk-or-treat. Event activities included a ring toss, face painting, a bean bag toss, a trivia spin and more! Children posed for photos with SUSD K9 Officer Luke atop hay bails and collected candy from SUSD police officers and students from the Stockton Public Safety Academy. Thank you to all who participated in the event!

STAY CONNECTED
SUSD Communications Department
(209) 933-7025

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