SUSD Updates Regarding COVID-19
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The District is committed to keeping our students, families and staff updated regarding our service changes during the pandemic. Please visit our District website at www.stocktonusd.net/COVID to view the latest updates. Please ensure your child's school also has your most up-to-date phone number and email address, and that you have downloaded the SUSD Mobile App to receive immediate updates via push notifications.
For direct information, please click on the following links:
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SUSD 2020-2021 Pre K - 6th Grade
Reopening Schools Survey III
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Stockton Unified School District Interim Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Biedermann, announces that SUSD classes will remain canceled through fall break in accordance with state and local guidance.
We continue to work with the San Joaquin County Office of Education and San Joaquin County Public Health to pursue a distance learning model until we receive guidance that it is safe to return to in-person learning. We are committed to doing our part to stop the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The District is working towards opening small cohorts of students in the next few weeks to provide support with distance learning and intervention. The action follows the September 4th recommendation from California Governor Gavin Newsom that was supported by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond; this guidance can be viewed on the California Department of Public Health website at cdph.ca.gov.
“I appreciate and fully support the guidance we have received from our Governor, Public Health Officials, and State Superintendent of Education,” Brian Biedermann said. “While I am beyond eager to bring our students back for in-person learning, the health and safety of our school communities is our number one priority.”
In the coming days and weeks, our District and schools will provide students and families with information regarding the parameters for a safe in-person return. In order to receive this important information, please ensure that your child’s school has your most up-to-date email address and telephone number on file.
We ask for patience and understanding as we continue to provide a high-quality Distance Learning experience to mitigate the health and safety impacts of COVID-19. Working together, we can and will meet this challenge. Your support and partnership in ensuring students are participating in distance learning is greatly appreciated. Please take a moment to complete our Return to School Survey III: http://bit.ly/SUSDRETURNS.
Thank you,
Brian Biedermann
Interim Superintendent of Schools
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SUSD Cuts the Ribbon at Newest K-8 School,
Flora Arca Mata Elementary School
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The District hosted a small, physically-distanced Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for its newest K-8 school, Flora Arca Mata Elementary School. The new school is named after Flora Arca Mata, the first Filipina teacher in California and Stockton Unified School District. Mata’s work as California’s first Filipina teacher is credited to have paved the way for other Asian Americans in education. The SUSD Board of Education chose Mata as the new school's namesake during its December 18, 2019 meeting.
The event began with a land acknowledgement ceremony by Gina Lopez, Program Specialist in the SUSD Native American Indian Center. Several members of the Mata family (pictured below) joined SUSD Board Trustees, Interim Superintendent Brian Biedermann, and Mata Elementary School administrators to officially cut the ribbon for the new school.
The program continued in the multipurpose room with remarks from:
- Henry Phillips, Mata Elementary Principal
- Brian Biedermann, Interim Superintendent
- Aaron Mata and the Mata family
- Kathy Garcia, Board President
- Candelaria Vargas, Board Trustee
- Lange Luntao, Board Trustee
- Dillon Delvo, Executive Director and Co-founder of Little Manila Rising
- Juanita Valenzuela, Mata Elementary Assistant Principal
- Connor Sloan, SUSD Director of LCAP
“My grandmother believed deeply in the benefits of having an education, and truly loved being an educator,” said Aaron Mata, Principal of SUSD’s Health Careers Academy and grandson to Flora Mata. “Every time you had a conversation with her, she would remind you that graduating from high school and college would provide an opportunity for a positive bright future."
“This moment in time will demonstrate that the Flora Arca Mata School is special. Special- not because we are going to occupy a brand-new building, but because our school is going to overcome adversity, just like our namesake, to deliver a high-quality education to your scholar,” said Henry Phillips, Principal of Mata Elementary School. “We are going to prove that a school is not a building. A school is a group of people coming together to fulfill the mission of preparing Stockton’s youth to be leaders in our global community.”
Thank you to everyone who attended the event and celebrated the opening of this incredible facility! The school will be host a larger event in the future for students, families, staff, and the community.
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Please join us for a transparent community dialogue to address institutionalized racism that impacts educational equity.
Date: October 1, 2020
Time: 6PM - 8PM
Moderator:
- Nicole Anderson | SUSD Educational Equity Consultant
Panelists:
- Ilesha N. Graham | Director Educational Services
- Sharon Barnes | Director Educational Equity
- Jillian Glende | School Counselor Program Specialist
- Bruce Roberson | NAACP Education Committee
- Angie Andrews | SUSD Police Officer
- Lisa Reece | Assistant Principal
- Karie Nelson | EL Instructional Coach
- Monica Hernandez | Instructional Coach
- Gamal Salama | Principal
- SUSD Students
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Seniors and Parents of High School Seniors:
The 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) Forms Open Today, October 1st!
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Today, October 1, is the first day that the Class of 2021 will be able to submit their California State University college applications and the first day that seniors can submit their financial aid applications. In our quest to have all of our students college, career and community ready, we have embarked on a RACE to Complete initiative.
For the 2020-2021 school year our efforts are also including many of our local leaders, community partners, teachers, administrators, instructional coaches, parents and our school counselors to assist and support our students and families. Stockton Unified is in its second year of our “Race to Complete” initiative and we are committed to assisting our Class of 2021 complete their financial aid applications.
Federal Student aid applications submission and completion rates by our high school seniors has risen each year. While we have an opportunity for growth we know that this year it will take a comprehensive and collaborative approach to ensure that our students are supported in completing their financial aid applications. As we strive to get 100% of our seniors to complete their financial aid applications, we will continue to offer workshops, class lessons, parent workshops to assist our students and our families.
The priority deadline to complete your FAFSA/CADAA applications for financial aid is March 2, 2021. The FAFSA can be submitted online at fafsa.gov or through the myStudentAid mobile app; the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) can be completed at dream.csac.ca.gov. College Board’s Get FAFSA Help Chatbot www.getfafsahelp.org.
High School Counselors are able to assist students and their families with completing their FAFSA/CADAA applications. Students and families be on the lookout for Financial Aid Fridays Fun Facts.
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2020-2021 Learning Continuity & Attendance Plan
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Stockton USD greatly appreciates all of the stakeholder input from students, staff, families, and community members that helped to develop the District's Learning Continuity & Attendance Plan. The Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan's purpose is to describe how the District is and will address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and maintain continuity of student learning in the 2020-2021 school year. Stockton USD values stakeholder voice and input and will keep the Learning Continuity & Attendance Plan feedback survey open to provide ongoing opportunities for stakeholder input and feedback. The Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan was presented in a public hearing at the September 15th board meeting and the final draft was presented for adoption at the September 22nd board meeting.
2020-2021 Learning Continuity & Attendance Plan (LCP) Written Input
Here is the Stockton USD Learning Continuity & Attendance Plan:
If you have any feedback or input you would like to share in support of ongoing collaborative ways to address student learning continuity and attendance needs, please share your comments and thoughts using the link below (you can also drop off or mail written feedback to 701 North Madison Street, Stockton, CA, 95202)/
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Training Opportunity: Supporting our LGBTQ+ Kids
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Please join the Mental Health & Behavior Support Services Department for a training designed to help provide safe and welcoming environments for our LGBTQ+ students.
Register for our LIVE webinar (English & Spanish):
This training is designed to help support our LGBTQ + kids at school, and in the classroom. There are many LGBTQ+ kids in all classrooms in our schools who are often uncomfortable being out and open about their sexuality or gender identity due to fears of being unsafe, unwelcomed or not included. It makes a huge difference to their mental health wellbeing when LGBTQ+ kids perceive their school and home safe environments, knowing that there are parents, teachers, administrators, and other adults who they can trust. This is why it is extremely important for schools, homes, and other environments learn how to be welcoming places for all LGBTQ+ kids.
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Accessing Free E-Books and Audiobooks from Home
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District Librarian Mary Ann Pafford created a homemade video for families, students and teachers teaching them how to access e-books and audiobooks through SORA from home.
The SORA collection is an extension of our physical libraries, only it’s online with 24/7 access to ebooks and audiobooks. It’s convenient for students to check out titles at home with no worry about misplacing a book or running up late fees – these digital titles automatically return at the end of the lending period!
Digital books are compatible with smartphones, tablets, eReaders, and computers. All you need to get started is an internet connection and your SUSD Google account. Access SORA in your browser by visiting soraapp.com/library/stocktonca or download the Sora app and use the setup code stocktonca. Note: Students must be logged into their District Google account to access SORA.
We encourage all students to visit our digital library to become familiar with how it works and browse our current catalog. Please contact Mary Ann Pafford, District Librarian at mpafford@stocktonusd.net with questions.
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Resources for Talking about Race
& Injustice with Your Family
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Many families are finding themselves engaging in difficult conversations around issues of racial injustices, oppression, and implicit bias. For some families this may be a common dialogue and for others this may be a very uncomfortable topic. Stockton Unified has gathered a variety of resources to help you and your family.
Please see below:
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Click event for more information
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Successful 'Cram the Cruiser' Supply Drive for the SUSD Police Department
Thank you everyone that participated or helped with our “Cram the Cruiser” School Supply Drive. Our community came together and showed love and support for our students.
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Taft Elementary Drive Thru Kindergarten Promotion
Taft Elementary Kindergarten teachers held a festive drive thru promotion ceremony for their 2019-2020 students! Families, teachers, and students alike smiled ear-to-ear as they reconnected with one another and celebrated the milestone in our young scholars' lives. Congratulations to all!
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Native American Indian Center Drive Thru Ceremony
On September 12, the NAIC hosted the 2020 Native American graduate drive up ceremony in the Edison High School parking lot. This yearly event for seniors saw 100 graduates to celebrate. Each student was presented with a ceremonial feather that represents strength, wisdom, power, honor, and freedom. These were hand-beaded by Maria Moyses who is an Elder. Maria beaded each feather to match the school colors and carry the school initials. Native Warriors were awarded a feather when they won a battle. Birds are very special, when a feather falls from a bird it is seen as a vessel of energy that has been carried away. It is seen as a gift from the sky bearing spiritual purpose.
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Submit your stories for the next SUSD Connects!
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SUSD Community Relations Department
701 N. Madison Street
Stockton, CA 95202
(209) 933-7025
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