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San Leandro USD

San Leandro USD

Tradition and Innovation
March District Update: See what's happening in SLUSD!
SLUSD Communications Thursday, Mar 2 at 3:00 PM San Leandro USD
 
SAN LEANDRO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
"Making Excellence Our Tradition"
March 2023
In this newsletter, scroll down to find:
  • Message from the Superintendent
  • Enroll Now: Dual Language Immersion Programs
  • Superintendent’s Award Winners
  • Art IS Education Month
  • Your Bond Dollars at Work
  • Family Learning Series for March
  • Black History Month Celebrations
  • Jefferson Elementary Makes the News!
  • Free March Events at the San Leandro Public Library

 
Message from the Superintendent


Dear SLUSD Community,

The recent weather has been perfect timing for curling up and reading a good book! What great timing for our annual celebration of Read Across America Week, which takes place in the first week of March. This celebration was started by the National Education Association (NEA) in 1998 to encourage reading and literacy. In SLUSD, our libraries invite San Leandro leaders in to read to our students, and I have been fortunate to share my favorite books with your children at several schools in our district. This joyful week is always one of my favorites of the school year!

I hope you find time to read with your children in the coming days while you help us build a community of lifelong readers!

Sincerely,

Dr. Mike McLaughlin
Superintendent

Enroll Now: Dual Language Immersion Programs

SLUSD is enrolling in our new Mandarin Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program at Madison Elementary! The Mandarin DLI program helps students learn grade-level content while developing proficiency and literacy in both Mandarin and English.

The program is launching with an inaugural kindergarten class that will expand yearly, eventually providing K-5th grade Mandarin DLI instruction. SLUSD also offers Spanish DLI programs at Halkin, Jefferson, and Washington Elementary schools. Bancroft Middle School will also launch a Spanish DLI program next year.

All programs are open to students within San Leandro Unified. More information about our DLI programs and all English Learner programs is available here.


Superintendent’s Award Winners

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Ana Liumeimoana Tupou, John Muir Middle School
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Braelin McCullough, Bancroft Middle School
John Muir Middle School’s Ana Liumeimoana Tupou and Bancroft Middle School’s Braelin McCullough were recognized with the Superintendent’s Award at the February school board meeting for their leadership and achievements.

Ana is an exemplary 8th-grade student, role model, and leader at John Muir. In addition to maintaining excellent grades, Ana works in the school office, where she already displays professionalism and maturity beyond her years. She is an exceptional leader on the varsity volleyball team, where her athletic, leadership, and empathy skills come together each week to support herself and all her teammates.

Braelin is an 8th-grade student who is a member of the Peer Advocates group, plays for the football team, volunteers to speak at district and school events, helps facilitate lunchtime activities for his peers, and is an active scholar in his classes. Some words the staff used to describe Braelin are big-hearted, supportive, loyal, passionate, and kind.  As a student, Braelin asks for help when he needs it, advocates for himself, and dares to admit and correct mistakes to push through challenges in class.  

Join us in congratulating Ana and Braelin!


Art IS Education Month

There are some exceptional opportunities to celebrate arts education throughout March:

In celebration of Art IS Education month, the San Leandro Public Library will display artwork from San Leandro Unified School District elementary school students. Student artwork from Garfield, Halkin, Jefferson, McKinley, Roosevelt, and Washington elementary schools will be displayed at the Main Library (300 Estudillo Ave), and the Manor Branch (1241 Manor Blvd) will display art from Monroe and Madison elementary schools.  SLUSD's Elementary Art Specialists will host a reception to showcase student art in the Main Library children's room on Thursday, March 2, from 6:30-7:30 pm. The public is warmly invited to attend!

Acrylic paintings from San Leandro High School’s Advanced Drawing & Painting students are part of the SKY exhibition at the Drawing Room Annex at 780 Valencia St. in San Francisco through March 26. The students' work was chosen from an applicant pool of over 200!

See the SLUSD School Board Resolution supporting Art IS Education month here.

Family Learning Series for March

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SLUSD’s online parent sessions provide strategies for parents/caregivers to support their child’s growth and development. Join us at an upcoming session:

Wednesday, March 8, from 5:00 – 6:00 pm • Topic: Celebrating Diversity
BRB, TYSM, Emoticons, Avatars. There is a whole world online where we have zero experience as parents. But this world entirely exists and is REAL. During this Interactive Session, Blaze Consulting will use the Family Landing Pad, a virtual space for SLUSD parents and caregivers to talk about their experiences caring for children and teens. How do we guide our children and teens through the worlds of gaming and social media? What is internet etiquette, and how is it different from what we are used to?  In this session, we will invite some young people to offer insight into the real world they are navigating today.  The session is open to all San Leandro parents/caregivers with TK-12th grade students. Raffle Prizes! Spanish and Chinese translations will be provided.
Join Zoom meeting here: https://slusd-us.zoom.us/j/85905351811?pwd=eXozbHNmaThTaUNzV2NEL0xteGxiZz09

Tuesday, March 14, from 5:30 – 6:30 pm • Topic: Finding Strength and Encouragement
Do you ever get tired of being told to stay positive when you are trying the best you can in life? Some days we need others' support and encouragement to help us focus and choose a positive and grateful mindset, so our mental health gets a boost. Connections to others are a great way to overcome isolation, stress, and other emotions that don't benefit our children or us. Join the single and co-parent Family Landing Pad virtual space for SLUSD families to talk about their own experiences caring for their children. During the session, we identify two strategies to increase our connection to the community and each other. This session will support single and co-parent families with TK-12th grade students. Raffle Prizes! Spanish and Chinese translations will be provided. Join Zoom meeting here:
https://slusd-us.zoom.us/j/84708667763?pwd=VVo3bjNXMDJ4VE1NczlMQUg4Z0ZHQT09

Wednesday, March 29, from 5:00 – 6:00 pm • Topic: Special Families
Join us for a time to connect, reflect, release, and renew. This landing pad is a space for you to connect with other parents and families to share experiences, share strategies, and tips, find support and celebrate yourself and your beautiful family. These sessions will be interactive.
We are here to support you and learn from one another. What will the spring season bring for you?  What are you hoping to grow or renew this season?  Raffle Prizes! Spanish and Chinese translations will be provided.
Join Zoom Meeting here: https://slusd-us.zoom.us/j/82540636538

Your Bond Dollars at Work

Thanks to the voters of San Leandro, electronic marquees are installed (or coming soon) at the following schools:
  • Garfield Elementary
  • Halkin Elementary
  • Jefferson Elementary
  • Madison Elementary
  • McKinley Elementary
  • Monroe Elementary
  • Roosevelt Elementary
  • Washington Elementary
  • Bancroft Middle School
  • John Muir Middle School
  • Lincoln High School
  • San Leandro Adult School
To see more transformative facilities improvements across SLUSD, including the live webcam for the San Leandro High School gymnasium, visit our construction site here.

Black History Month Celebrations

Bancroft Middle School students celebrated Black History Month with an incredible door decorating contest. Their doors, posters, and banners honored Black history and culture with pure love and pride. See the slideshow here!

Here are photos from a few more special events:

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Madison Elementary filled the house with its Black History Month celebration.
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The SLHS Social Justice Academy hosted a Black hxstory month block party.

Jefferson Elementary Makes the News!

We are pleased to share a beautiful story on inclusive classrooms featured on Univision, highlighting Jefferson Elementary Kindergarten Dual Language Immersion Teacher Reena Valvani and two of the parents in the class about creating classrooms that reflect the diversity of students’ identities through library collections, toys, and materials. Take a look here: Por qué es importante que los niños de color se vean reflejados en los libros y juguetes que usan

Free March Events at the San Leandro Public Library

For Elementary School Students

Art is Education Month Student Art Display
Display: March 1-March 31
Reception: March 2 at 6:30 pm, Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave.
Enjoy artwork from SLUSD elementary school students on display at the San Leandro Library! Student artwork from Garfield, Halkin, Jefferson, McKinley, Roosevelt, and Washington elementary schools will be displayed at the Main Library, and the Manor Branch will display art from Monroe and Madison elementary schools.  The District's Art Specialists will host a reception to showcase student art in the Main Library children's room on Thursday, March 2, from 6:30-7:30 pm.

BOOKMARK DESIGN CONTEST - Open to All Ages
Design a bookmark for Art is Education Month. Three winners will be chosen to receive a prize and have their design mass printed. Pick up a submission form at the San Leandro Main Library or Manor Branch Library by Mar. 22 to be entered for a chance to win.

Celebrate Persian New Year
Saturday, March 11, at 2:00 pm
Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave.
Watch Beshkan Dance perform traditional dances at this Nowruz Celebration, listen to Persian New Year stories, and then learn a dance. All ages are welcome.

Irish Dance Performance
Tuesday, March 14, 6:30 pm-7:30 pm
Manor Branch Library, 1241 Manor Blvd.
 Join us for a special St. Patrick’s Day Performance a few days early. Dancers from Rohan Murphy Dance Academy will perform a variety of Irish dances to celebrate the culture of Ireland.  All ages are welcome.

Family Fun Night: Circus of Smiles!
Wednesday, March 22, 6:30 pm
Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave.
Circus of Smiles will entertain all ages with their funny juggling and circus show! Doors open at 6:20 pm, and the show begins at 6:30 pm.

For Middle & High School Students

Project Teen Lounge
Project Teen Lounge is open Wednesdays and Thursdays when school is in session, 2-4 pm, for teens in grades 6-12!
Estudillo Room @ the Main Library, 300 Estudilo Ave.
Art, Chromebooks, Video Games, Life Skills, Board Games, & More!

San Leandro Unified School District | 835 E. 14th Street, Suite 200, San Leandro, CA 94577
(510) 667-3500
communications@slusd.us