Berryessa Community, 

This February, please join me in celebrating African American History Month, Lunar Year and Presidents' Day. These commemorations reaffirm our commitment to inclusivity, respect, and understanding, recognizing that our differences contribute to a more vibrant and equitable society. 

These observances also provide a valuable opportunity for our students to engage in meaningful dialogue and learning in our classrooms. Students and staff will recognize and honor the achievements, contributions, and rich cultural heritage of African Americans, reflecting on the struggles, triumphs, and resilience of individuals who shaped our nation. 

During Lunar New Year, students will gain knowledge about the traditional Chinese calendar—a time for festivity, reflection, and renewal, symbolizing the welcoming of a new year filled with prosperity, good fortune, and unity. 

Presidents' Day offers a chance for reflection on the leadership and contributions of those who have held the highest office, fostering an appreciation for the values and principles guiding our nation and inspiring a sense of civic responsibility among our students. 

Let us embrace this opportunity for meaningful conversations, learn from one another, and build connections that strengthen our school community. 

Thank you for your continued support in creating an inclusive and vibrant learning environment.

Sincerely,

Dr. Roxane Fuentes

Superintendent

The Great Kindness Challenge (GKC) took place January 22-26, offering students an opportunity to build empathy, receive support and thrive under the theme “Create Kindness” for its 13th annual week. The GKC is a global campaign that promotes kindness, social-emotional health and bullying prevention in prekindergarten through grade twelve. 

During this powerful and uplifting week, students embraced the challenge of completing as many acts of kindness as possible. Through the GKC, students model kindness and develop social-emotional skills that are vital for school and life success. Last year, more than 4 million California students participated, representing more than 7,450 schools across 71 school districts, collectively sharing over 204 million acts of kindness! Beyond the conclusion of the Great Kindness Challenge, you are encouraged to practice kindness every day! 

Let’s continue to spread awareness on the importance of slowing down, especially near school zones. As you recall, the Slow Down, San José campaign aims to make our streets safer for drivers, people walking, and for those riding bikes. It emphasizes the importance of being alert, obeying the speed limit, and planning ahead to avoid rushing to your destination. 

Supporting this campaign, the office of San Jose Councilmember David Cohen has generously donated brand new safety patrol vests to all of our schools! BUSD is incredibly grateful for this kind gesture, ensuring our students can carry out their safety duties with pride and enhanced visibility. Thank you, Councilmember Cohen, for your unwavering support in keeping our schools safe and our children protected!

On January 10, 2024, Governor Newsom released his 2024-25 budget proposal. The state is projecting a budget deficit of $38 billion for 2024-25. While there are no significant reductions proposed for K-12 education at the state level, the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) projection has been reduced from 3.94% to 0.76%. For BUSD, this translates into revenue reductions of approximately $2.2M in 2024-25 and an additional $2.2M in 2025-26. The district's budget stabilization plan and First Interim Budget update that was adopted at the December 13, 2023 board meeting included $3.7M in ongoing expenditure reductions. The news of the 0.76% COLA means that the District must identify an additional $2.2M in reductions and/or increased revenues in 2024-25 to remain fiscally solvent.   

If the state experiences an economic downturn (the Governor's 2024-25 budget proposal does not forecast a recession) or faces other financial challenges, there could be a situation where education funding declines leading to a funding cliff. A funding cliff can severely affect school districts. It may result in further budget cuts, layoffs of teachers and other staff, reductions in educational programs, and larger class sizes. Such disruptions can negatively affect the quality of education provided to students. Advocates for education in California have been working to address the potential funding cliff issue. This includes ensuring the state's budget priorities and policies support ongoing investments in K-12 education. Advocates also seek to build public awareness of the importance of stable and equitable education funding.

As we look at these budget challenges for education, we all have a role to play in advocating for our students and our schools. Let’s continue to work together to ensure our students have the best opportunities available. You can contact your local officials to make sure they prioritize and support our children's education.

We are pleased to share that our Enrollment Portal is now open for new student registration. As we gear up for the upcoming school year, please help us share this valuable information with fellow parents about enrolling in BUSD schools. 

Your experiences and insights are crucial for families considering our schools. Whether it's highlighting our diverse community, exceptional education programs, or the positive impact on your child's growth, your input can make a significant difference. 

Thank you for being an essential part of our school community, and for helping to make a positive impact on the lives of prospective students and their families. 

If you have any questions about enrollment, please contact Educational Services at (408) 923-1828. 

Our schools will be closed during Presidents’ Week from February 19th to February 23rd, 2024. 

Our next Board meeting will be on February 14, 2024.       

To better serve you, board meetings are now being live streamed! You can stay informed and watch these meetings from the comfort of your home. Please note that to participate in the meeting or make comments, you must attend in person. 

For more information about the BUSD Board Meetings, please click here.