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SLUSD Update
Celebrating Love, Unity, and Community
February 3, 2025
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Dear San Leandro Unified Staff and Families,
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As we enter February, a month of love, unity, and community, I want to reaffirm our district’s commitment to creating safe and welcoming spaces for all students and families. In light of ongoing attacks on immigrant and transgender rights nationwide, SLUSD remains steadfast in its mission to protect and uplift our most vulnerable communities.
As a proud Sanctuary District, we continue to uphold the principles of Amended Board Resolution No. 17-07, ensuring that all district facilities are sanctuaries for those facing immigration enforcement threats. Additionally, we remain committed to policies that affirm and support our transgender students, safeguarding their dignity and identities, as noted in our board policy protecting students from discrimination and harassment. As always, we remain committed to partnering with our community to implement our board equity policy.
This month, let’s strengthen our collective efforts to build a community rooted in love, acceptance, and shared belonging. Together, we can ensure that every child feels safe, valued, and empowered to thrive.
Thank you for your partnership in this critical work.
With appreciation,
Dr. Michael McLaughlin
Superintendent, San Leandro Unified School District
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John Muir Middle School’s Superintendent Award Winner: Michele Cope
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At the January school board meeting, Michele Cope, a remarkable 8th-grade John Muir Middle School student, was recognized with the Superintendent's Award. As a sixth grader, Michele joined the Muir volleyball team after attending a highly competitive tryout with no prior experience. Her outstanding attitude, camaraderie, and leadership stood out, earning her a spot on the team where she excelled as an athlete and a team player.
Michele's contributions extend well beyond the volleyball court. In addition to her athletic achievements, she has consistently excelled academically, earning a spot on the honor roll every quarter. Michele is a talented musician who plays the viola in the Muir orchestra. Her commitment to student leadership shines through her active role in ASB, where she plays a key part in planning and organizing school events. Known for her kindness, maturity, and grace under pressure, Michele has earned the admiration and respect of her peers and teachers.
Congratulations, Michele, on this well-deserved recognition!
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Bancroft Middle School’s Superintendent Award Winner: Gabriela Quintero Lopez
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Gabriela (Gabby) Quintero Lopez, an exemplary 8th-grade student at Bancroft Middle School, was honored with the Superintendent's Award at the January school board meeting. Gabby is a straight-A student with a perfect 4.00 GPA throughout her academic career. Her enthusiastic involvement matches her dedication to academics in various school activities, including playing the clarinet and performing in theater productions.
Beyond her academic and extracurricular accomplishments, Gabby enjoys listening to music, drawing, and reading in her spare time. As she prepares to attend high school next year, her goals are clear: to continue enjoying her educational journey and maintain her impeccable GPA. Looking to the future, Gabby aspires to a career in cybersecurity and plans to become an entrepreneur, creating and selling her own innovative products.
Congratulations, Gabby! We can’t wait to see all you will accomplish in the years ahead.
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Garfield Gators enjoyed YARA: Myth, Music, and Dance, a dynamic theatrical performance showcasing the rich cultural influences of Afro-Venezuelan, Indigenous, and Spanish traditions. Through interactive music and dance, students experienced the powerful fusion of these cultures in a bilingual (Spanish and English) performance that encouraged youth voices to rise in community and song. |
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The Halkin Elementary Student Council organized a special "Celebrate Your Culture" Spirit Day, where our Dolphins proudly showcased their heritage with pride and love! It was a wonderful opportunity for students to celebrate diversity, share traditions, and honor the cultures that make our community so vibrant. |
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Jefferson Elementary celebrated 100 Days of School with a day full of fun and learning! Students and staff marked this milestone with creative activities, from dressing up as 100-year-olds to engaging in math and literacy challenges centered around the number 100. It was a fantastic way to reflect on how much we've grown and learned this year! |
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Our Madison community came together to ring in the Lunar New Year with vibrant traditions, delicious food, and lots of joy! As we welcome the Year of the Snake, we reflect on its symbolism of wisdom, resilience, and transformation. |
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McKinley students from TK through fifth grade had an incredible hands-on experience thanks to our partnership with Lawrence Hall of Science! Students became explorers, engineers, and creators, building roller coasters and engaging in interactive STEM activities that brought learning to life. A huge thank you to our amazing parent volunteers—this event wouldn’t have been possible without you! We’re grateful for the partnership with LEAD and appreciate the wonderful hosts from Lawrence Hall of Science for making this experience unforgettable. |
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Monroe hosted a successful PBL Sharing Morning, welcoming over 150 families to explore the incredible projects our students have been working on. The morning began in the MPR with donuts, coffee, and a brief introduction to Project-Based Learning (PBL). Families then visited classrooms, where students proudly presented their projects and shared what they’ve been learning. It was a fun and engaging way to celebrate student creativity and learning! |
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Roosevelt Elementary recently welcomed Out & About Bookshop, a mobile children’s bookstore dedicated to sharing diverse and inclusive stories. As part of its mission to connect kids and families with LGBTQ+ literature, the traveling book bus brought a wonderful selection of books that celebrate identity, belonging, and the power of storytelling.
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Washington students are bringing math to life through hands-on learning in Ms. Walker’s 5th grade class and Mr. Francisco’s 4th grade DLI class! Using LEGO Education robotics and coding, students are applying math concepts in creative and engaging ways—building, programming, and problem-solving while having fun. These interactive lessons make learning both exciting and meaningful! |
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A meeting of the minds! Teachers from Bancroft Middle School Broncos and John Muir Middle School Falcons came together for our first Middle School Summit in recent memory. While the fierce rivalry took a backseat, educators collaborated to share and align best practices to better support their students. 🐎🦅 |
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Muir recently honored students for their hard work and achievements! This celebration recognized students for earning Honor Roll, achieving Perfect or Outstanding Attendance, and making exceptional growth on their Renaissance test scores. We are so proud of our students' dedication and perseverance. Their commitment to learning and growth continues to inspire our entire school community! |
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San Leandro High School recently hosted a vibrant Lunar New Year celebration, organized by the Asian Student Association (ASA) Club. The event showcased cultural activities and traditions, bringing the community together to honor this important holiday. It was a joyful and memorable way to welcome the new year!
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This month, Lincoln students embarked on an exciting field trip to the Exploratorium, where they engaged in hands-on learning experiences that deepened their understanding of the world around them. The interactive exhibits sparked curiosity and brought science to life, creating unforgettable moments of discovery and exploration. |
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San Leandro Virtual Academy
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Secondary SLVA students came together to create inspiring vision boards. This activity allowed students to express their creativity, share their dreams, and connect with one another through art. It was a meaningful and collaborative way to start the new year! |
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SLUSD honors Black History Month by celebrating the achievements, contributions, and resilience of Black Americans. Schools will engage in learning experiences, discussions, and events that highlight Black excellence in history, culture, and activism. Join us in recognizing and uplifting Black history—not just this month, but all year long.
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San Leandro Unified School District Celebrates National School Counseling Week
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SLUSD is proud to recognize February 3-7, 2024, as National School Counseling Week. This week honors the vital contributions of our certified school counselors, who are highly skilled professionals who play a crucial role in addressing the diverse needs of our students. These dedicated individuals guide students in their academic and career aspirations and provide invaluable support for their personal growth. In celebration of this important week, the San Leandro Unified School District Board of Education and Superintendent extend their heartfelt gratitude and commendation to all school counselors for their exceptional dedication and positive influence in our schools. See School Board Resolution 25-02.
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Enhanced Classroom Audio Coming to All SLUSD Schools!
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SLUSD is excited to bring Audio Enhancement technology to every school, ensuring clear, consistent sound for all students. This system amplifies teachers' and students' voices evenly throughout the classroom, reducing strain and improving student engagement. With built-in microphones and speakers, every student—no matter where they sit—can hear lessons clearly. This upgrade supports accessibility, enhances learning, and fosters better communication in every classroom.
We’re proud to invest in tools that support equitable access to learning for all SLUSD students!
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Jefferson Elementary’s Carolina Ixta Wins Prestigious Literary Honors!
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We are thrilled to celebrate Jefferson Elementary 4th grade Dual Language Immersion teacher Carolina Ixta (and SLHS Class of 2014!), who has been recognized with the Pura Belpré Award and named a William C. Morris Award finalist for her debut novel, Shut Up This is Serious. The Pura Belpré Award honors outstanding Latinx authors who celebrate the Latinx experience, and the William C. Morris Award recognizes excellence in a debut young adult novel. Congratulations, Ms. Ixta! Your students, colleagues, and the entire SLUSD community are so proud! |
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Join Us for an Upcoming SLUSD Family Learning Series!
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African-American Family Landing Pad
Tuesday, February 4, 2025⋅6:00 – 7:00pm
TOPIC: Celebrating Blackness
SLUSD and Blaze Consulting host a supportive space for Black Families and Families Raising Black Children. Let’s acknowledge and celebrate the resilience of Black peoples and the people of the African Diaspora. In this session, we will acknowledge Black Excellence and acknowledge our hopes for our children. There will be a raffle for gift cards at the end of the session.
SLUSD Family Landing Pad
Wednesday, February 5, 2025⋅5:00 – 6:00pm
TOPIC: We Belong Here: Talking About Cultural Diversity
San Leandro schools are very diverse and it acknowledges the backgrounds of all students. In this session, we will talk about how parents/caregivers talk to their students about cultures, diversities, and other ways in which we differ and are the same. How do we teach our children to be curious and empathetic to students who do not come from the same background as they do? Come ready to share your strategies and hear others. The session is open to all San Leandro parents/caregivers with TK-12th grade students. Raffle Prizes! Spanish and Chinese translations will be provided.
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Learn More About Dual Language Immersion at Our Info Nights!
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Join us for a Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Information Night at one of our three Spanish DLI elementary schools! Families will learn how the program supports bilingualism, biliteracy, biculturalism, and academic achievement from transitional kindergarten through fifth grade.
Halkin Elementary, 1300 Williams Avenue
Tuesday, February 25 • 5:30 pm
Jefferson Elementary, 4300 Bancroft Avenue
Wednesday, March 19 • 5:30 pm
Washington Elementary, 250 Dutton Avenue
Monday, March 24 • 5:30 pm
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It’s time again for the party of the year!
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SLED depends upon our fundraising events to ensure funding for our many important and impactful programs that directly benefit over 8,000 local public school students. But as always, you can expect fun, friends, and a festive party – for an amazing cause. Click here to learn more.
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San Leandro Unified School District
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