Special Education April/May Highlights

Special Education Highlights April/May 2026 Student Highlights Wilcox High School - Kevin Ruvalcaba, 12th grader Kevin is more than just a Varsity baseball player at Wilcox High School; he is the heart of the dugout. His dedication to the sport is infectious, sparking a shift in energy the moment he steps up to the plate. This season, the Wilcox culture of inclusivity has taken center stage. Despite the challenges Kevin faces, his dedication to be the best ballplayer possible remains unshakable. That spirit is mirrored by his teammates, whose voices rise in a rhythmic, unified roar of support that echoes across the entire field every time he goes up to bat.  " Over the past four years, Kevin has really come into his own by staying resilient and maintaining a great attitude, even when the coursework gets heavy. It’s clear he’s learning how to navigate challenges by leaning on supports and putting in the consistent effort needed to stay on top of his assignments and credits." - Vance Campbell, Case Manager "Starting out as our team manager his Sophomore year, Kevin Ruvalcaba has embodied what it means to be part of this baseball family. Through tireless practice at Wilcox and Briarwood field, Kevin’s journey is one of pure dedication. We’ve watched him grind his way from hitting in the cages, to taking reps on the field, to ultimately stepping up to the plate and taking at-bats in real games. He is the absolute heartbeat of this team, his teammates proudly gave him the well-earned nickname, Kev Goat." - Matthew Huth, Wilcox Baseball Head Coach "Kevin plays a big role on our team. He brings a lot of energy to every game and practice. When he is not there, we feel his absence. I appreciate Kevin's positivity and always motivating the team to do well." - Gilbert Padilla, 12th grader Kevin, your resilience and passion have left a mark on the Wilcox Baseball program. We wish you the very best of luck as you pursue your dreams and in all your future endeavors! Santa Clara High Alumni  - Jayce Dobie, Class of 2022 Jayce attended Santa Clara Unified schools and graduated from Santa Clara High School in June of 2022. After graduation he played baseball for Mission College (Santa Clara, CA) and West Valley College (Saratoga, CA). He is currently a senior at the University of Nevada and is now a potential MLB draft pick. Jayce was diagnosed with moderate to severe hearing loss at the age of 3. As Jayce grew older, he turned his hearing loss into his super power. Read a recent article written by Mike Stefansson that shares Jayce's story .  "Jayce was my student for many years in SCUSD. He never let his hearing loss hold him back from pursuing his love of baseball. I have a feeling he will get drafted in July for the MLB. I am so proud of him!" - Heidi Knutson, Deaf/Hard of Hearing Teacher Staff Highlights The Special Education Department would like to celebrate our 2025-2026 retirees. As our retirees prepare to embark on their next chapter, we wanted to share our deepest gratitude for their years of service. Their unwavering dedication to our students and their tireless hard work have made a profound impact on the Santa Clara Unified School District community.   Thank you for your patience, your expertise, and the heart you put into everything you do. We will miss your presence, but we are excited for the adventures ahead of you. Wishing you all a joyful, relaxing, and well-deserved retirement! Maria Luisa Alvarado, Para Special Ed Susan Auclair, Para Special Ed Marla Aylaian, Para Special Ed Deaf/HOH Theresa Caserza, Para Special Ed ED Marie De Bello, RSP Teacher Sandra Hauck, Para Special Ed Robin Hulsey,  RSP Teacher Deborah Knight, Para Special Ed Kimberly Murphy-Sharp, Para Special Ed Brenda Pang, SLP Janice Pasos, Para Special Ed Linda Pelton-Weinstein, Para Student Attendant Rosa Sanchez-Correa, Para Special Ed Debra Sparks, Para Special Ed ED Karen Stephens, Para Special Ed Lisa Therres, RSP Teacher Catherine West, Para Student Attendant School Highlight  Peterson Middle School - Life Skills Program Peterson Middle School's life skills class students are participating in a collaborative Earth Day project focused on planting succulents and creating small appreciation gifts for our school community. Through this hands-on experience, students are actively developing important life skills such as teamwork, following step-by-step directions, sequencing, and environmental responsibility. With support from Ms. Brown (Art), students are designing and creating personalized Earth Day cards to accompany their gifts, adding a thoughtful and creative element. In collaboration with the Nature Center team (Ms. Mint and Ms. Hunter), students have engaged in planting mini succulents, further enhancing their connection to nature and sustainability practices. This project provides meaningful opportunities for students to build independence, apply functional life skills, and connect classroom learning to real-world experiences. We are proud of their efforts to give back to the school community while promoting environmental awareness and appreciation.

Friday, May 29 2026

💬 Provide your input: Review and Comment on the 2026...

Families, students, community members, and staff are invited to read and provide comments on the revised draft of the 2026-2027 Annual Update to the three-year 2024-2027 Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP). Both the District Advisory Committee (DAC) and the District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) have provided input and feedback for the final draft of the document.  Review The 2026-2027 LCAP Annual Update Draft is available for public comment from May 22 through June 4, 2026. The entire LCAP will be translated into Spanish once it is approved by the Board of Education on June 11, 2026.  Beyond our core program, the LCAP prioritizes additional support for our most vulnerable students. We focus these enhanced services on historically underserved groups, specifically English learners, foster and homeless youth, low-income students, and those with disabilities. Comments Comment on the 2026-2027 LCAP Annual Update Revised Draft by completing this short Public Comment Google Form.  The superintendent’s responses to any questions or comments from DAC and DELAC members will be posted on June 8, 2025, after the public comment period closes. For more information and helpful resources, please visit our LCAP webpage. LCAP Annual Update Draft Submit Public Comments

Saturday, May 23 2026

📱Share your input on Yondr pouches and our Mobile Co...

Dear families, As we conclude the first year of the SCUSD Mobile Communications Device policy implementation, we are asking for feedback from our school community. We encourage families, students, and staff to share their experience with the Yondr lockable pouch system.  All responses are confidential and will be used to guide our decision-making for the upcoming school year. Please use the link below to fill out the survey. The survey will remain open until midnight on May 21, 2026. TAKE THE SURVEY

Friday, May 15 2026

📢 Read District Update: Message from the Superintend...

DISTRICT UPDATE May 5, 2026 Watch Superintendent's Message Provide Your Feedback on Our Draft North Star Document We’ve been working to develop our district’s “North Star” — a shared vision outlining our key priorities and goals for the future. This draft reflects important progress, but it’s not complete without your voice. Superintendent Dr. Wright invites you to watch his video message (listen in Spanish), review the North Star draft, and share your feedback. Your input will help ensure our direction reflects the needs and hopes of our entire community. The deadline to complete the survey is midnight on May 11, 2026. Thank you for being part of this work. Draft North Star Document North Star Survey Budget Update Please use the links below for more information and to submit your questions about the rightsizing process. Rightsizing FAQ Form Rightsizing Webpage The Board of Trustees recently announced the appointments of Dr. Maurissa Koide as Director of Secondary Education and Michelle Odle as Sutter Elementary School Principal. Please join us in welcoming them to their new roles at Santa Clara Unified School District. Dr. Maurissa Koide | Director of Secondary Education Dr. Maurissa Koide joins Santa Clara Unified School district as Director of Secondary Education, bringing a strong background in instructional leadership and a commitment to advancing equitable outcomes for all students. She comes to this role with experience leading innovative secondary pathways, including deeper learning assessments and project-based learning programs, as well as supporting key district initiatives. Michelle Odle | Sutter Elementary School Principal Michelle Odle is a dedicated and experienced educator with over three decades of service to students, families, and staff in Santa Clara Unified School District. She holds a master's degree in education administration and supervision from San Jose State University and a bachelor’s degree and teaching credential from Santa Clara University. Read New Faces and Places Our Stories Student Talent Takes Center Stage at MacDonald On Wednesday, April 29, MacDonald High School proudly hosted its 2nd Annual Visual and Performing Arts Night at the Performing Arts Center in collaboration with the PTSA. The event brought together students, families, and community members to celebrate the creativity and talent across the school’s visual and performing arts programs. Read full Visual and Performing Arts Night article. Building Readers and Leaders Through Cross-Age Tutoring This spring, an innovative partnership between MacDonald High School and Agnew Elementary is bringing students together in a powerful way — by turning students into teachers. At the heart of the program is a simple but impactful idea: students learn deeply when they teach others. Read full Building Readers and Leaders article. A Paws-itively Powerful Day of Belonging at Haman The spirit of inclusion was “paws-itively” radiant on March 26 during Haman Elementary School’s 3rd Annual Special Olympics, where the entire Husky community came together to celebrate ability, connection, and joy. From the opening cheers to the final events, the campus was filled with energy and positivity as students, staff, and families gathered for a day centered on unity. Read full Special Olympics article. Wilcox Business Experience Team Wins State Championship, Advances to National Finals Wilcox High School’s Career Technical Education (CTE) business club, the Wilcox Business Experience (WBE), continues its incredible run of success in the Personal Finance Challenge — this time capturing the California State Championship and earning a spot on the national stage. Read full WBE article. Celebrating Service, Leadership, and Impact On April 21, the Santa Clara Unified School District Board of Trustees proudly hosted the 43rd Annual Public School Week Awards (PSWA) Ceremony, recognizing outstanding student and adult volunteers who go above and beyond in service to our schools and community. Read full PSWA article. A Lifetime of Learning Starts at SCUSD Our annual Early Learning Enrollment Fair on April 4 brought our Early Learning programs to life, welcoming families from across the district for a day of connection, exploration, and discovery. Families had the opportunity to meet our dedicated educators, explore our classrooms, and experience firsthand the engaging, play-based approach that defines our early learning programs. Read full Early Learning Enrollment Fair article. Sun, Soil, and Smiles at Earth Day on the Farm On April 25, Santa Clara Unified School District (SCUSD) brought our community together for our annual Earth Day at the Farm celebration at the SCUSD Farm in Sunnyvale! With over 470 attendees, made up of students, staff, families, and friends, the farm was buzzing with energy all morning. Read full Earth Day at the Farm article. Required Address Verification for the 2026-2027 School Year On April 20, families with students starting in grades 3, 6, and 9 for the 2026-2027 school year received a student-specific personalized email link to complete the district’s required online Address Verification Form. The email was sent from addressverification@scusd.net  — subject line “Complete: Address Verification Form for [Student Name]”. Address verification must be completed by May 8, 2026, for your child to start on the first day of school. If you have not already completed the address verification process, please use the link below for more information. Address Verification Information May 6 | Screenagers the Next Chapter Parents and guardians of students in middle and high school are invited to join us for this exclusive FREE movie screening and discussion designed to help teens build crucial skills to navigate stress, anxiety, and depression in our digital age. Register for Screenagers. May 8 | FREE Workshop: Boundaries that Teach Would you like to learn how to set effective rules for your family? Parents, guardians, and caring adults of children in any age group are invited to join our Project Cornerstone workshop, “Boundaries that Teach.” Register for Boundaries that Teach. May 18 | Wilcox Girls Flag Football Camp 6th-8th graders are invited to sign up for the Wilcox Girls Flag Football Camp. This is a great opportunity for middle school athletes to build their skills, gain confidence, and learn the fundamentals of the game. Sign-up for Wilcox Girls Flag Football Camp. June 22-25 | MacDonald Spirit Summer Camp Elementary and middle school students are invited to sign up for the MacDonald Spirit Summer Camp, where kids can meet new friends, do fun activities, and learn cheer and dance skills. Register for the MacDonald Spirit Summer Camp. In-Play Activity Guide Looking for fun summer activities for your children? Great news — new programs have been added to the InPlay Activity Guide for summer! Watch this short How-To Video to learn about the free, easy-to-use, searchable InPlay guide from the Santa Clara County and the Santa Clara County Office of Education, featuring thousands of local summer programs for TK–12 students. Visit scc.inplay.org to get started! Community FRNDS Neurolympics You’re invited to join Sunnyvale Public Safety and Pragnya Allies for the Community FRNDS (First Responders for Neurodiversity Support) Neurolympics on May 9, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Ortega Park, 636 Harrow Way, Sunnyvale. The event brings together first responders and the neurodivergent community to build connection, confidence, and understanding in a fun and supportive environment. Attendance is free — registration is requested. In an effort to keep the community up-to-date and informed of actions by the Board of Trustees, we share Board Briefs. Board Briefs from the April 9, 2026, Board Meeting Board Briefs from the April 23, 2026, Board Meeting Board Meeting Agendas and Minutes ​  

Tuesday, May 05 2026

🌟 Provide your feedback on our draft North Star docu...

Dear SCUSD community, We’ve been working to develop our district’s “North Star” — a shared vision outlining our key priorities and goals for the future. This draft reflects important progress, but it’s not complete without your voice. I invite you to watch my video message, review the North Star draft, and share your feedback. Your input will help ensure our direction reflects the needs and hopes of our entire community. The survey closes at midnight on May 12. Thank you for being part of this work. Message from the Superintendent Listen to Message in Spanish Review Draft North Star Document Complete Our North Star Survey Sincerely, Dr. Damon Wright Superintendent

Tuesday, May 05 2026