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SLUSD Update
Building Strong Habits for a Successful Year
September 4, 2024
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Dear San Leandro Unified Staff and Families,
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As we welcome September, I want to emphasize the importance of being present in our classrooms and school communities. Our shared commitment to showing up for one another strengthens the bonds that make our district special. Every day of attendance supports both individual student success and contributes to our schools' collective growth and unity.
I want to invite our families to be part of this journey. Your involvement is invaluable, whether attending Back to School Night, participating in parent leadership opportunities, or volunteering in any way you can. When families and schools come together, it’s good for our kids and the entire community.
Let’s build a supportive, engaged community where every student feels connected and valued. Together, we can create an environment where everyone belongs.
Thank you for your dedication and partnership!
Dr. Mike McLaughlin
Superintendent
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San Leandro High School Gym is Almost Ready!
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Exciting news—San Leandro High School’s new gym is getting closer to opening! The floor is being painted, and the bleachers are on their way. SLUSD is eagerly preparing for the grand opening this fall and can't wait to welcome the community to see this fantastic new space. Stay tuned for more details on the big event coming soon! See more about the SLUSD construction projects here, and thank you, San Leandro voters, for approving our bond measures!
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Garfield is back to school, and the love for learning is blossoming. Literacy is the name of the game this year, and these first graders are loving their new phonics lessons. Here’s to a new, bright, and beautiful year!
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Halkin held PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) assemblies to teach students to manage their emotions and stay calm in challenging situations. Peacemaker leaders modeled restorative interactions, which help their peers solve conflicts and problems using conflict resolution strategies. We're proud of our students for embracing these strategies for a peaceful, focused learning atmosphere!
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Mr. Siedman led an arts integration community builder at Jefferson Elementary's Welcome Back Staff PD. Our teachers learned some watercolor skills and painted their own "Moment from Summer"
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Madison's Attendance Matters Friday Fun Game Day celebrates students who show up and participate. Every Friday morning, Madison has exciting games and activities to reward excellent attendance and strengthen the school community. Madison makes every day count!
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At McKinley Elementary, Principal Campbell and Eddie the Eagle teamed up to show everyone how Eagles soar! Together, they brought to life the core values that make McKinley a special place to learn and grow. With Principal Campbell's leadership and Eddie's enthusiastic spirit, McKinley Eagles reach new heights every day!
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Monroe's entire Instructional Leadership Team attended the Lead by Learning Network kickoff event at the beautiful Mills College campus. The team is energized and ready for a productive, impactful year of leadership and learning!
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Our kindergarten and first-grade students are diving into early literacy through focused phonics instruction during their ELA time. This foundational approach is helping our youngest learners build strong reading skills, setting them up for future success. By mastering phonics early, our students are gaining the tools they need to become confident, proficient readers.
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The Washington Elementary library is already open for business and bustling with activity! Students are eagerly diving into a world of books, exploring new adventures, and expanding their knowledge. The library offers a welcoming space for young readers to discover a variety of genres and engage in fun, educational experiences. Whether it’s browsing the latest titles, participating in interactive reading sessions, or finding a quiet corner to get lost in a story, the library is ready to serve its enthusiastic customers.
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Bancroft Middle School was excited to host our English Learner Family Welcome Meeting! This gathering provided a special opportunity for families of English Learners to connect with our staff, learn about the programs and resources available, and receive tips on how to support their child’s academic journey. We were thrilled to welcome everyone and work together to ensure a successful school year for all our students. It was a wonderful event that helped build a strong, supportive community for our EL families!
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To kick off the new school year, all John Muir Middle School students are receiving brand-new AVID binders, complete with planners designed to help them stay organized and on track. AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a program focused on closing the achievement gap by preparing all students for college and career success. These binders are more than just organizational tools—they’re essential for building strong time management skills, setting goals, and developing healthy study habits. We're excited to see how students will use their AVID binders to maximize their academic journey this year!
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The new Family Resource Center at San Leandro High School is now open and ready to serve our community! Led by parent facilitator Evelyn Afusia—a proud SLHS graduate and current parent—the Family Center is a welcoming space dedicated to fostering strong connections between families, students, and the school. Evelyn brings her deep ties to the San Leandro community and her passion for supporting families to this new role. The center offers a range of resources, workshops, and support services to help families engage more fully in their children's education. Visit the Family Center and connect with Evelyn to learn more about how you can get involved and make the most of the opportunities available!
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Lincoln is excited to announce the launch of Dual Enrollment for its students! Recruitment is now underway for the Student Leadership and African American Experience class. A former Lincoln student, Justin, who is currently enrolled at Chabot College, is pictured here. His academic journey at Lincoln left a strong impression on the instructors at Chabot, which led to a valuable connection with the Umoja community. This partnership has opened the door for Lincoln to bring this exciting opportunity to its students, further enhancing their academic experiences.
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San Leandro Virtual Academy
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The San Leandro Virtual Academy team recently dedicated time to both learning and bonding as they prepared to welcome our students and families. Our SLVA Sharks are fortunate to have some of the best teachers around! Stay tuned for more exciting activities from SLVA in the coming weeks!
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San Leandro Adult & Career Education Center
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The San Leandro Adult Career and Education Center is proud to showcase a significant achievement—this photo captures the 1st graduating cohort from their Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) program. These hardworking students have successfully completed the program and are now ready to pursue careers in healthcare. Congratulations to all the CNA graduates on reaching this important milestone!
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Effects of Social Media on Mental Health
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Social media connects us with the world, allowing us to keep up with friends, learn about different cultures, and share our thoughts. However, it can also harm our community by distracting students, disrupting sleep, and exposing them to bullying and unrealistic beauty standards.
To help protect students from these effects, consider the following tips:
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Set Boundaries: Establish a phone use routine to prevent interference with sleep, homework, or responsibilities.
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Have Open Discussions: Talk with your child about their social media use, its risks, and how it makes them feel.
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Teach Social Media Etiquette: Encourage appropriate online behavior and ensure they apply their core values in virtual interactions.
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Set Social Media Rules: Make accounts private, limit friend requests to known individuals, and set content restrictions.
For more information, visit:
At San Leandro Unified School District, we are committed to fostering a healthy, thriving community. If your child is struggling with the effects of social media, please seek help. Care Solace offers mental health care coordination and can connect you with a provider. Call 888-515-0595 or visit Care Solace to get started.
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Student Safety and Emergency Preparedness
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Your child's safety is our top priority, and we are committed to keeping you informed about our emergency protocols. We have a comprehensive plan in place to ensure a safe and secure environment for all students. Learn more about our safety measures and how you can stay informed here.
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Attendance Matters: Small Absences Add Up!
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Did you know that missing just two days of school each month can add up to nearly a full month of missed learning each year? Over time, these absences can significantly impact your child’s academic progress and social connections. Consistent attendance is the foundation of academic success, and we are here to help! Contact your school for support.
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Finish Data Confirmation by October 1
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If you have not finished the data confirmation process for your student, you are missing out on financial benefits for you and your school! Benefits include:
- Reduced price internet options via the Affordable Connectivity Program.
- SAT and College Application Fee waivers.
- Some free Child Care and Afterschool Programs.
- School Funding - Every successful application generates additional funding for your school.
- SUN Bucks - $120 EBT card for your student to pay for groceries over the summer.
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Back to School Nights are HERE!
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You are warmly invited to celebrate with us throughout September on the following dates. These sessions are essential for connecting with your child's teachers and schools. Look for more specific information in your school's ParentSquare posts.
- Elementary - Thursday, September 5
- Middle Schools - Thursday, September 12
- San Leandro High School - Thursday, September 19
- Lincoln High School - Thursday, September 26
- San Leandro Virtual Academy - Thursday, September 26
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Your Involvement Makes All the Difference
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Parents and caregivers are the backbone of a thriving school community. Your engagement in your child's education—whether through working, volunteering, or participating in school leadership groups—profoundly impacts their success. When families are involved, students perform better, feel more supported, and are more connected to their school environment.
We invite you to take an active role in our schools. Your involvement is invaluable, whether you're interested in joining our team, volunteering your time, or contributing to decision-making through leadership groups. Together, we can create a stronger, more vibrant learning community for all our students.
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Join Us for an Upcoming SLUSD Family Learning Series!
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Wednesday, September 11⋅5:00 – 6:00pm
TOPIC: Parent Guilt
Parents and caregivers face many demands—managing housework, jobs, homework, and self-care. A single critical comment can spark parental guilt, leading to self-doubt. In this interactive session, we’ll explore parental guilt and how to counter the shame from constant self-criticism. Open to all San Leandro parents/caregivers with TK-12 students. Raffle prizes available! Spanish and Chinese translations provided.
Single/Co-Parenting Family Landing Pad Series
Tuesday, September 24⋅5:30 – 6:30pm
The Family Landing Pad is a virtual space for SLUSD families to share their experiences of balancing mental, emotional, physical, and financial responsibilities. Blaze Consulting will lead sessions to reframe stress into opportunities, helping families thrive. It is open to single and co-parenting families with TK-12 students. Raffle prizes are available! Spanish and Chinese translations are provided.
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SLED's Fall Cornhole Tournament - Register Today
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SLED had such a great time hosting our first cornhole tournament back in April, we are doing it AGAIN! On October 6, cornhole players of all skill levels will convene to support local education while having a super fun time. The professionally run tournament will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bayfair Mall Rooftop Parking area. Prizes for the top finishers, food and beverages to purchase, and free kids' activities thanks to our community partner Juniper Corner and SLHS volunteers to keep the younger ones occupied while the 13 and over crowd plays are all part of this fun, family-friendly day.
This is a fantastic opportunity for you to support students at an approachable level PLUS have a great time doing it. Not only does participating in the tournament as a team or as a sponsor give you community visibility, but it can be a great team-building opportunity for your organization as well.
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Get fast access to the resources you need here:
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San Leandro Unified School District
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