Superintendent's Friday Update

December 9, 2022

From the Desk of Dr. Smith

40 Developmental Assets


Have you heard about the Search Institute? They are a nonprofit organization that studies and works to strengthen youth success in schools, coalitions, youth and family organizations, and the faith community. One of the most famous and well-utilized study conducted by Search Institute is known as the 40 Developmental Framework. In this study, Search Institute identified 40 research-based positive supports and strengths that young people need to succeed. Half of the assets focus on the relationships and opportunities they need in their families, schools and communities. These are known as External Assets. The remaining assets focus on the social-emotional strengths, values, and commitments that are nurtured within young people, and are referred to the Internal Assets.


Over time, studies of more than 5 million young people consistently show that the more assets that young people have, the less likely they are to engage in a wide range of high-risk behaviors and the more likely they are to thrive.


The research shows that youth with the most assets are more likely to:


  • Do well in school
  • Be civically engaged
  • Value diversity


The research also shows that youth with the most assets are least likely to have problems with :


  • Alcohol use
  • Violence
  • Illicit drug use
  • Sexual activity


The major findings from years of research collection are that young people need to be surrounded by people who love, care for, appreciate, and accept them. They also need to feel valued and valuable. This happens when youth feel safe and respected. Young people need clear rules, consistent consequences for breaking rules, and encouragement to do their best. Furthermore, young people need opportunities, outside of school, to learn and develop new skills and interests with other youth and adults.


On one level, the 40 Developmental Assets represent common wisdom about the kinds of positive supports and strengths young people need, but extensive research also reveals that assets can have a powerful influence on adolescent behavior. By juxtaposing the challenge of reducing risky behaviors with the positive model of the Developmental Asset framework, Search Institute offers communities a hopeful vision for addressing the challenges in part through building strengths and resilience in young people’s lives.


Reducing Risks—the Protective Power of Assets: In addition to measuring Developmental Assets, the Attitudes and Behaviors Survey also measures levels of high-risk behaviors, including the use of tobacco, alcohol, other drugs, violence, and early sexual involvement. Youth with low asset levels (0-10 assets) engage, on average, in 7.7 of 24 risk behaviors, compared to 0.7 risk behaviors among youth who experience 31-40 assets!


Promoting Thriving: The survey also measures young people’s engagement in a wide range of thriving attitudes and behaviors, including succeeding in school, valuing diversity, helping others, and overcoming adversity. Youth with 0-10 assets engage in 2.7 of the 8 thriving indicators measured, compared to 6.1 thriving indicators among those experiencing 31-40 assets.


Are you curious to learn which of the 40 Developmental Assets the youth in your life are experiencing? Attached for your review are lists of the 40 Developmental Assets by age group:


Ages 3-5

Ages 5-9

Ages 8-12

Ages 12-18Search Institute has identified 40 positive

Upcoming District Events

  • Wednesday, December 14 - Board of Trustees Meeting, 6:00 pm at the District Support Center
  • Thursday, December 22 - Modified Day
  • Friday, December 23 - Friday, January 6 - Winter Recess
  • Monday, January 9 - Students Return
  • Monday, January 16 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Non- School Day)
Great Things Happening At Our Schools

Hermosa Elementary School

From Principal Michele Rachielles:

Our PTA Board is an amazing group of parents who throw amazing parties and put on all the fun! This week the board has been preparing for the huge annual Winter Wonderland party this Friday. Families will enjoy food and music, crafts and games, and even a visit from Santa! 


This week the PTA also provided breakfast and Bingo for the classes who won the door decorating contest during Red Ribbon Week. We had donuts and milk and some very energetic rounds of Bingo, to be sure!

Victoria Groves Elementary School

From Principal Kristy Johnson:

We are so proud of the amazing work our Grizzlies do each and every day. This year, we have implemented a new program, Positive Pass to the Principal.  Teachers have the opportunity to celebrate their students for their growth in academics, behavior, and  character. Students come up to visit Mrs. Johnson or Mrs. Peralta and together make a positive phone call home. These positive calls are the highlight of our day.  Positive Passes to the Principal have been a great way to celebrate the amazing students at Victoria Groves!  

Vineyard Junior High School

From Principal Sandy Rose:

The Vineyard talent we witnessed during our theater performance, The Untold Story of Rose Red, was astounding Thursday night! Our 49-member Theater Club had 39 members perform, while 10 others joined the stage crew to assist in running the show. This show was about Snow White’s sister, Red Riding Hood, and her acts of heroism. With lots of plot turns and charming moments, the students held a captive audience and warmed the hearts of those watching. A special thank you goes out to our amazing Director Jenna Vandegrift. After this performance, we can’t wait to see the Theater Club perform Peter Pan Jr. in the spring as Mr. Evans teams up with Mrs. Vandegrift as the Musical Director.

Our soccer season is well underway. We are incredibly proud of our students for their hard work and sportsmanship. A special shout out goes to our amazing coaches: Mrs. Steely, Mrs. Jansen, Mr. Alcala, and Mr. Ontiveros.

Banyan Elementary School

From Principal Dolly Bentley:

Banyan student leaders offered hot apple cider to students as a fundraiser during recess last week. It is great to see our student senate advertising, sharing at Bulldog assemblies, and volunteering their time to be leaders on our campus. A big thank you to Mrs. Carlson-Montemayor and Mr. Guerrero for their hard work and the amazing job they are doing providing our students with the skills to be leaders!

A huge thank you also goes out to our amazing PTA for fostering the love of reading at Banyan! 

Thank you for continuing the tradition of the monthly Birthday Book Club giveaways. 

Our students love being able to pick out a new book! We appreciate all of the effort you put in to make this happen each month!

From Principal Jenny Rice:

This year at Deer Canyon we have implemented a new incentive to our PBIS strategies to recognize students who are showing the traits of the SOARing Eagle. What does this mean? Well, it means Deer Canyon Eagles are Safe, Organized, Achieving excellence and Respecting themselves and others. 


Teachers are recognizing their SOARing eagles by giving them a “Positive Pass to Principal.” It is such a joy to welcome these students into my office, praise them for all of their hard work, and call their parents to share how proud we are of their children. Each student leaves with a little prize and I feel blessed to take the time each week to recognize some of our students who are working so hard each day. #EaglePride

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