SPECIAL EVENT ANNOUNCMENT!

We are very excited to announce that starting Sunday, October 2, 2022, 16 branch libraries will open on Sundays, expanding hours of operation to 7-days per week! This unprecedented hours expansion in San Jose would not have been possible without your support and advocacy!

The San Jose Public Library Foundation will be sponsoring an event for the community to celebrate together. Visit one of the participating libraries on October 2nd for a free sundae in recognition of the new Sunday hours! See the schedule above.

In The Wake of the Week

Home Town Heroes

Chris Mosley - Principal at Piedmont Middle School 

Can you tell us about yourself? What made you decide to be an educator; and what do you enjoy most about being a principal? 

I was born and raised in Oakland, CA. Married for 28 years with three children. This is my 21st year in Berryessa as an Administrator. I've been the principal of Noble, Morrill & Sierramont during that period. I volunteered as a tutor while in college and the kids would ask me if I could be their teacher. This led me to my first job as a kindergarten aide at Zion Prep Academy in Seattle.

As for my current role, principals are immediate problem solvers. Its also about the team build within the school that makes everything work and the kids safe. These kids keep you on your toes and active.

What impact do you think distance learning due to COVID had on students?

The impact of distance learning took a toll on teachers, and on students in the classroom. During distance learning, there wasn't as much communication and collaboration as in a typical classroom. Kids lost their way on how to interact with each other and their teachers.

What are the biggest challenges you see for staff and students since this is the first year of normalcy in a while?

Classroom engagement is a big challenge for staff. Students can't stay off their phones long enough to stay engaged in a lesson. Teachers have to be more hands on and relevant with the times. Students have lost their ways on collaborating with one another in the classroom and can hide their true feelings behind someone else on the internet. 

Do students seem glad to all be in person again? Are there things they have expressed they missed during the years of distance learning and COVID restrictions?

I think parents are more happy to have their kids back in school than the students. Students have missed all the extra-curricular activities we offered and just hanging out with one another. In fact, this past year we had 130 students come out for the track team. The most ever.

If you could give parents one piece of advice regarding their kids’ education, what would that be?

Monitor their child's social media and phone usage. It's starting to get out of hand and its affecting the classroom. Place you children in more activities outside of academics, keep our students active.

What are you looking forward to during this school year?

I look forward to our students being able to express themselves more in and out of the classroom. Students are able to work together in person and actually communicate. Also our students engage in more extra-curricular activities. I missed the after-school sports program and the competition it brought amongst the schools.

Supporting Our Foster Youth

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re partnering with Child Advocates of Silicon Valley to talk about Diego. Diego is a 10-year old Hispanic child that entered #fostercare through no fault of his own. Currently, over 63% of the children in the Santa Clara County foster care system are Hispanic.

Working with children in foster care can be tough and demanding but it's also very impactful. As an Advocate Volunteer, you have the ability to help a foster child overcome the effects of having experienced abuse, neglect and/or abandonment. This can completely alter the life trajectory of a child.

SHOW UP for a Hispanic foster child! Learn how you can make a difference in a foster child's life like Diego by attending a virtual volunteer info session.

Recognizing Linda Locke

Last week at Mayor Liccardo's State of the City, we honored Linda Locke for her exemplary service to the community and life-long commitment to education. For over half a century, Linda has passionately served her community, making an extraordinary contribution to the residents of Berryessa.

As a teacher and principal, she was an inspiration to her students at Piedmont Middle School. Linda served as a Neighborhood Commissioner and is the current president of the Berryessa Citizens Advisory Council.

Under her leadership, BCAC has worked to revitalize Penitencia Creek Park and restored the mural at the Berryessa Community Center.

Sincerely,

• WATER CONSERVATION EFFORTS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
• REPLACE-AT-BURNOUT STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS
• NEW LIBRARY HOURS
• FALL INTO FICTION WRITING CONTEST BEGINS

EMERGENCY HOUSING UPDATE

As a result of your advocacy and the efforts of my staff, plans to utilize the Robert Gross Perculation Ponds/Noble Park have been canceled. As part of the process, the City of San José collected suggestions for alternative locations in District 4. In the spirit of full transparency, the City published the entire list of suggestions they received. City staff is currently vetting the locations on the list and will share a revised list when it is available. We will update the Emergency Housing Page as new information becomes available.

EMERGENCY HOUSING UPDATE

Here's your eco-friendly reminder that plastic bags are NOT recyclable. Please place them in the garbage or drop off clean plastic bags at your nearest drop-off location. Find out what goes where at SanJoseRecycles.org.

THANK YOU FROM VALLEY WATER

Thanks for making a difference in your community by saying yes to saving water!

Santa Clara County saved enough water in July 2022 to surpass our monthly water conservation goal. Let’s keep up the good work! Find water conservation tools, tips, and rebates at watersavings.org.

REPLACE-ON-BURNOUT ORDINANCE WEBINARS

Based on Council direction for Climate Smart San José staff to conduct stakeholder engagement on the prospect of a “Replace-on-Burnout Ordinance,” City staff will be hosting webinars this fall to: 

• Provide a background of the City’s efforts to date to decarbonize buildings

• Discuss the different forms that a Replace-on-Burnout policy could take, barriers and solutions for upgrades, what other cities are doing to electrify their buildings, and potential greenhouse gas emissions reductions

• Gather questions, concerns, and insights from stakeholders   

Staff will be hosting five webinars the week of October 3^rd for the diverse group of stakeholders noted:

• 10/3 @ 6 p.m.: Contractors & Developers   
• 10/4 @ noon: Residents (homeowners & renters), including mobile park communities   
• 10/4 @ 6 p.m.: Residents (homeowners & renters), including mobile park communities   
• 10/5 @ 6 p.m.: Landlords, HOAs & property managers   
• 10/6 @ 6 p.m.: Community-based organizations  

COVID 19 UPDATE

Omicron specific booster shots are available for everyone who has had the two initial vaccinations. Reservations can be found at sccfreevax.org.

How to Protect Yourself and Others From COVID-19: With COVID-19 cases on the rise, it is important to follow CDC guidelines to prevent illness. Most importantly, stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines, wear a well-fitting mask, avoid poorly ventilated areas and crowds, and take precautions when you travel.

Free Masks Available: Each adult can get three free N95 masks at pharmacies and community health centers. For help finding a location, call 800-232-0233.

Resident Resources: The City of San José’s Virtual Local Assistance Center is a one-stop for information on Food Assistance, Housing, Employment, Health & Wellness, Utilities, and Immigrant Resources.

Current Vaccination/Booster Sites: The full list of vaccine sites, and testing sites are available on the County of Santa Clara COVID-19 website. Please note that vaccination sites are a combination of drop-in and by appointment only. Residents are encouraged to make an appointment, where possible. All sites have boosters available.