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January SLUSD Update: New Year Brings New Opportunities
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SLUSD Update
New Year Brings New Opportunities
January 6, 2025
CSUEB Signing
(Pictured: President Cathy Sandeen, Cal State East Bay, and Superintendent Mike McLaughlin, SLUSD, celebrating the signing of an agreement guaranteeing college admission for qualified SLUSD seniors.)
Dear San Leandro Unified Staff and Families,
Happy New Year! I hope you are feeling refreshed and excited for the opportunities ahead. I'm thrilled to share some fantastic news to kick off 2025: SLUSD has officially signed our agreement with Cal State East Bay, guaranteeing admission for our qualified 12th graders. This milestone, finalized just before the holiday break, represents a tremendous opportunity for our students' futures. Thank you to CSUEB President Cathy Sandeen, a proud SLHS alum, her dedicated team, and our incredible SLUSD staff for making this possible.

I'm looking forward to many more opportunities to grow, connect, and make progress together. Your partnership and dedication mean everything as we step into this next chapter with purpose and possibility.

With gratitude,
Dr. Michael McLaughlin
Superintendent
 
Student Spotlight
McKinley
Superintendent's Award
Alice Myint, a phenomenal 5th-grade student at McKinley Elementary, was chosen for the Superintendent’s Award at the December school board meeting for exemplifying the core values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage.

Alice has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement throughout the first trimester, particularly in Mathematics and English Language Arts. She earned top marks in areas such as Operations and Algebraic Thinking, Literature, and Foundational Skills. Her perfect attendance, outstanding work habits, and respectful peer interactions further showcase her dedication and responsibility.

Alice’s commitment to excellence and embodiment of these values make her a role model for her peers and a standout choice for this honor.
 
Schools Showcase
Garfield
Garfield Elementary
Congratulations to the graduates of the School Smarts Academy at Garfield Elementary! This inspiring program brought together dedicated parents and guardians to learn, collaborate, and grow as leaders in our school community. Thank you for your commitment to supporting student success and fostering a stronger partnership between families and our school. We are so proud of your accomplishment and look forward to the positive impact you will continue to make!
Halkin
Halkin Elementary
This week, Halkin’s 4th and 5th-grade musician-scholars in Choir and Instrumental Music (Orchestra and Band) performed a fabulous Winter Concert for their peers and families. Their dedication, from practicing during lunch, after school, and on weekends, is truly inspiring. Many former Halkin musicians now thrive in middle and high school programs like Jazz Band, Notables, and Marching Band, continuing to make us proud!
Jefferson
Jefferson Elementary
Thank you, SLED, for bringing the Lawrence Hall of Science Assembly to Jefferson Elementary! Our Jaguars had an engaging and educational experience learning all about wildfires. We appreciate your support in sparking curiosity and expanding our knowledge!

Madison Photo
Madison Elementary
Madison 5th graders in Ms. Pegram and Ms. Fong’s classes brought the community together and spread holiday cheer by hosting a special year-end luncheon for students and their families. The event was a heartwarming way to celebrate the season and close the year on a joyful note!
McKinley
McKinley Elementary
McKinley Elementary’s 2024 Holiday Sing-Along brought the entire school community together for a heartwarming celebration. Featuring performances from TK through 5th grade, along with a special showcase by the school’s chorus and instrumental music groups, this event was a wonderful and rare opportunity for students, families, and staff to unite and share in the holiday spirit.
Monroe
Monroe Elementary
Monroe's Family Winter Dinner Dance was a night to remember! The James Monroe community came together for an evening filled with delicious food, laughter, and plenty of dancing. These kids lit up the dance floor, making it a truly joyful celebration of family and fun!
Roosevelt
Roosevelt Elementary
Principal Kumamoto got into the spirit of celebration by dressing up as a “Hornet” to reward students for meeting their Read-a-Thon goal! His fun and enthusiastic gesture highlighted the importance of reading and encouraged students to keep striving for success.
Washington
Washington Elementary
The Washington Wildcats proudly celebrated their well-deserved perfect attendance with a fun and festive ice cream celebration! Students were recognized for their commitment to showing up every day, and the event was a sweet way to honor their dedication and hard work throughout the year.
BMS
Bancroft Middle School
Principal Sloane brought the community together by hosting a Drive-Thru Coffee Chat, offering a warm and welcoming opportunity for families to connect and engage. The event was made even more special with coffee generously donated by local business Zocalo, highlighting the strong partnerships between our schools and local community. Families enjoyed their morning coffee on the go while sharing ideas, asking questions, and strengthening connections with school leadership.
Muir photo
John Muir Middle School
This year, John Muir Middle School equipped every student with a binder featuring organizational supports inspired by AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination). We’re thrilled to see students using their binders daily and maintaining them with care! To support this effort, Muir occasionally hosts Binder Repair Days during lunch, where students can refresh their supplies with decorative tape and replacement materials.

SLHS
San Leandro High School
San Leandro High School staff recently participated in a secret spirit week, surprising students with coordinated themes and creative outfits throughout the week. The event brought an extra dose of fun and camaraderie to campus, showcasing the staff’s school spirit and commitment to fostering a lively and engaging atmosphere for the school community.

Lincoln
Lincoln High School
Twenty Lincoln High School students had an incredible opportunity to visit the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, where they explored engaging, interactive exhibits and discovered the wonders of science in a dynamic, hands-on environment. The trip provided a memorable and enriching experience, sparking curiosity and excitement for learning beyond the classroom.
SLVA
San Leandro Virtual Academy (SLVA)
Before the winter break, SLVA hosted a festive Hot Cocoa Social where students came together to enjoy delicious food, fun games, creative arts and crafts, and plenty of time to socialize. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the season, build connections, and wrap up the year on a high note!
 
MLK
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
Join us at the Oratorical Festival and Poetry Slam as part of the City of San Leandro’s annual celebration honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

📅 Date: Saturday, January 18, 2025
🕥 Time: 10:30 AM
📍 Location: Marina Community Center, 15301 Wicks Blvd.

This free community event will also include:
  • Live entertainment
  • Crafts for kids
  • Refreshments

Learn more at sanleandro.org. Don’t miss this chance to honor the powerful legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.!
 
Care Solace
Support your Family's Wellbeing
When you or your child needs support, finding the right help can feel overwhelming. To make it easier, we partner with Care Solace, a central hub for mental health and substance use services.

Care Solace connects you with over 560,000 providers, available 24/7/365, at no cost to you. They’ll match you with care options that accept all insurance types, including Medicaid, Medicare, or sliding scale fees for those without insurance.

How to access Care Solace:
  • Call 888-515-0595 anytime for 24/7 multilingual support. A Care Companion will guide you through every step, from researching providers to scheduling appointments.
  • Search anonymously at caresolace.com to explore care options.
  • Contact your school health professional to request a referral.

Remember, help is available, and hope is possible.

For life-threatening emergencies, call 9-1-1 or reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8. Care Solace is not an emergency response or mental health provider.
 
Family Learning Series
Join Us for an Upcoming SLUSD Family Learning Series!
SLUSD offers online parent and community educational support sessions that provide essential information and strategies for parents/caregivers to support their child’s growth and development. Here are the upcoming sessions:

SLUSD Family Landing Pad
Wednesday, January 8, 2025⋅5:00 – 6:00pm
Topic: New Year, New Routines
Let’s come together and trade our ‘New Year’s resolutions’ for ‘New Year INTENTIONS. When you set clear intentions and a realistic, achievable goal you are more likely to accomplish it. Take a moment for yourself, with other parents and guardians to explore and chat about the newness of the year. Reflect on what you want for you and your crew as 2025 takes off. The session is open to all San Leandro parents/caregivers with TK-12th grade students. Raffle Prizes! Spanish and Chinese translations will be provided.
 
Parent Learning Series: Special Needs Family Landing Pad 2024-2025
Wednesday, January 15, 2025⋅5:00 – 6:00pm
The Special Needs Family Landing Pad is a welcoming space dedicated to supporting families of students with special needs. It offers resources, guidance, and a sense of community to help navigate the unique challenges and celebrate the achievements of their children. Whether you’re seeking information, connections, or a place to share experiences, the Landing Pad is here to provide a foundation of support and understanding for our families.
 
SLUSD Single/Co-Parenting Family Landing Pad
Tuesday, January 21, 2025⋅5:30 – 6:30pm
New Year Intentions
Let’s take a moment to reflect together on what you want for this new year. Whether life feels terrific or you want to put your head under a pillow, this time is for you. This session will support single and co-parent families with TK-12th grade students. Raffle Prizes! Spanish and Chinese interpretation provided.
 
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