CONNECT:
SLUSD'S NEWSLETTER
February, 2019
Volume 4, Issue 6
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A Message from the Superintendent
Dear SLUSD Families,
We have enjoyed hearing from you at our Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) community forums. Every year we improve our schools by adhering to strategic action plans that drive our yearly budgeting. These community forums provide us with essential feedback for how our strategic plan is working for our community, and these discussions directly impact budgeting decisions. If you haven't joined us yet, this week provides three more opportunities to meet face to face about your children, your hopes and your sites.
See dates, times and locations below.
Last month, we shared our newly adopted Graduate Profile, which serves as a compass for our schools, TK-12th grade. Each quadrant holds a set of core competencies that are central to post secondary success. This month, we expand on what a
Critical Thinker
looks like in SLUSD.
Understanding the “why” is at the core of critical thinking. With the cognitive tools to identify underlying factors that contribute to problems, people succeed in complex 21st-century work environments and collegiate classrooms.
San Leandro Unified creates critical thinkers who:
- ANTICIPATE, PERSEVERE & REFLECT
Students confront challenges as opportunities to learn, reflect and grow.
They ask questions to better understand and collect, analyze and evaluate relevant information through
project-based learning
.
Our graduates identify problems and imagine new solutions. They adapt knowledge and skills to use in multiple, diverse settings.
As always, thank you for your ongoing support and I look forward to sharing more of our Graduate Profile with you in the months to come.
Sincerely,
Mike McLaughlin, Ed.D. Superintendent
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Have your voice heard this week!
Please join us at one of our last three Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) community forums to provide feedback on how the district builds the budget for 2019-2020!
These events provide substantial feedback regarding the current state of the district. In addition, parents ask questions and share concerns regarding district programs, site challenges, and strategic plan efforts. This is an incredible learning opportunity for the superintendent and district staff to connect with the community about our schools.
Translation, childcare, refreshments will be provided at all meetings. To learn more about the SLUSD LCAP, click
HERE.
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James Monroe Multipurpose Room
Feb. 26
6:30-8:00pm
(Chinese)
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Washington Elementary
Feb. 28
6:30-8:00pm
(
Spanish)
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March 2
9-10:30am
(English)
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Our Adult School Named as Leader in Education
Principal Bradley Frazier and Vice Principal Rachelle Parham received the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce Leaders in Education award on behalf of the San Leandro Unified school district's Adult School. Frazier and staff were recognized for their tireless commitment to their wide variety of students who are looking for life changing programs. “We ensure our programs are as diverse as our student body,” said Frazier, “We continue to build on our success as we celebrate 90 years in education."
In operation since 1926, the school offers career technical education (CTE) courses, English as a second language (ESL) classes, parent education/preschool opportunities, apprenticeship readiness training, and high school diploma programs. New this semester, a customized para educator test prep class is a welcome addition to the catalog, aligned to support job openings in SLUSD. “Our adult school programs perfectly position us to address the current hiring shortage in the Bay Area,” said District Superintendent Dr. Mike McLaughlin, “We better serve our students in all district schools if we maximize our existing strength for personalized learning pathways.”
To learn more about the SLUSD Adult School programs, visit their
website
.
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2018-19 Season of Service, Period of Peace Posters
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Season of Service, Period of Peace is a ten-week long non-violence SLUSD program. The SOSPOP program both empowers and transforms, as it gives students a forum for their voices and a stage for their actions.
These posters are created to celebrate each week's theme, and are the work of SLHS teacher Ms. Deborah Reneirio's Graphic Arts classes.
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Mobile Menus and More
Did you know you can check school menus from your phone! The menus also include valuable nutritional information. Printed menus will soon be a thing of the past, saving over 7,000 sheets of paper every month!
Bon Appetit!
For more information about our food services programs, contact:
Chef Clell
(510) 667-6242
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Elementary Science Leadership Team at Work
This group of teachers, administrators and district staff meets to plan the best way to move towards successful Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) implementation at our elementary schools. The teachers are all participating in the
Elementary Science Partnership
which is an in-depth training in NGSS. They learn from college professors and do lesson study to research their own practice and the way students are learning science. Read more about
the
TK-12 SLUSD Vision for Science here.
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SLUSD Equitable Grading Work Featured on KQED News
Secondary educators in San Leandro Unified were highlighted for their fair and accurate grading practices, refined by professional development provided by the district over the past several years. In particular, SLHS teacher Nick Sigmon was highlighted for his deep dive into his grading practices, and the shifts he has been able to make in assuring his grades reflect what his students know, and not how they play the points game. Read more about his experience
HERE
and kudos to Mr. Sigmon for building a culture of grading excellence in his classroom.
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IMPORTANT NOTICE
SLUSD is experiencing an increase in enrollment. If you are planning to enroll for the 2019-2020 school year, online registration is now open and continues through April 1. Late registration will begin April 2nd. To hold a spot at your home school you must enroll by April 1st, 2019. Start the enrollment process
HERE
.
Starting in March, the enrollment advertisement above will be featured on AC Transit buses for the Oakland and Hayward lines. More cost efficient than direct mail, the district is exploring more effective ways to celebrate the many achievements happening in our schools. The culture of creative excellence continues to build!
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Incoming 9th Grade Information Night this Wednesday
San Leandro High School will host an Incoming 9th Grade Information Night on Wednesday, February 27 from 6:00-7:00 in the AEC Theater. If you would like to take a tour of the campus, meet at 5:00 in front of the theater. The last tour will leave at 5:30. SLHS will provide important information about programming for next year and answer your questions. Families should review the
2019-2020 Course Catalog
for more detailed information about our course offerings and programs. This evening is for families who are new to the district as well as for families from Muir and Bancroft middle schools.
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Read Across America this Friday
Join our SLUSD School Board and district superintendents this Friday as we celebrate the annual Read Across America day on Friday, March 1. Motivating children to read is an important factor in student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers. Research has shown that children who are motivated and spend more time reading do better in school. Read the SLUSD School Board resolution
here
and find resources to celebrate reading at the NEA website
here
.
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Elementary Art Reception March 12
Join us at the second annual Elementary Art Reception, hosted at the San Leandro Main Library on Estudillo Avenue on March 12 from 6:30 to 8 pm. The event is organized in support of Alameda County’s
Art IS Education Month
, marking its 19th year anniversary of advancing all art forms as an essential part of a high quality and equitable education. The Art IS Education 2019 theme is “Creativity is Not Optional!”
SLUSD art teacher David Patusco is an organizer of this event, which developed out of a need to publicize the importance of art education in elementary classrooms. "
I think art is important in elementary because it is about exploring, taking risks and trusting one’s decisions" said Patusco, "They are learning to trust their own decisions and I believe art helps to boost their overall confidence."
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Book and Blanket Night at Wilson Elementary was a huge success, bringing parents, teachers and students together to celebrate the joy of reading.
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Kindness projects at Roosevelt Elementary included notes of inspiration and gratitude that were displayed throughout the campus.
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Kindness Sprinkling at Bancroft Middle School happens monthly, thanks to BMS teacher Mr. Phil Smotherman and his students.
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New magazine format for the SLHS Cargo, a student-produced monthly publication and supported by a generous grant from SLED. See more about SLED's mission at
www.sledfund.org.
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Important District Dates to Note:
- Feb. 26 - LCAP Community Forum at James Monroe Elementary 6:30-8pm (Chinese)
- Feb. 27 - 9th Grade Information Night @ SLHS
- Feb. 28 - LCAP Community Forum at Washington Elementary 6:30-8pm (Spanish)
- March 2 - Read Across America
- March 7 - Middle School Open House
- March 12 - Elementary Art Reception
- March 21 - Career Day at SLHS
- March 21 - Latino Achievement Night #1
- March 27 - Free SAT at SLHS
- March 28 - San Leandro Scholarship Foundation Dinner
- April 11 - Latino Achievement Night #2
- April 25 - African American Achievement Night
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San Leandro Unified School District | communications@slusd.us | www.slusd.us
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