SLCUSD Board Meeting Agenda

Regular Board Meeting Agenda Tuesday, October 15, 2024 ******************************************** CLOSED SESSION - 5:00 p.m. OPEN SESSION - 6:00 p.m. ******************************************** Los Osos Middle School Library 1555 El Moro Avenue Los Osos, CA 93402 & 11280 South River Heights Drive South Jordan, UT 84095 ******************************************* Zoom link will be available on the day of the meeting. *******************************************

Friday, Oct 11 2024

SLCUSD Family Communication

​ ​ Family Communication News and Updates from the Superintendent's Office ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Superintendent's Update Dr. Eric Prater ​ ​ ​ ​ As we step into October, I am filled with pride and gratitude for the remarkable achievements of our San Luis Coastal Unified School District community. Together, we are building a nurturing and effective educational environment, and I want to take a moment to celebrate some significant milestones and share important information with you. ​ ​ ​ ​ Celebrating Los Ranchos Elementary’s National Blue Ribbon Recognition ​ I am thrilled to announce that Los Ranchos Elementary has been honored with the National Blue Ribbon School designation by the U.S. Department of Education! This prestigious award recognizes the exceptional work being done at Los Ranchos in fostering student success. Out of hundreds of schools across the country, Los Ranchos was selected as one of only 30 schools in California. This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our staff, the support of our parents, and the hard work of our students. Congratulations to Los Ranchos for this outstanding recognition! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Niche Assessment: A Strong Foundation for Improvement ​ I also want to share the encouraging results from the school ranking company Niche, which evaluates and assesses public schools across the nation. I’m proud to report that our district received an overall score that places us close to the top 90% of all districts in the state. Each of our schools received high marks, reflecting our commitment to providing quality education. While we celebrate these accomplishments, we remain committed to continuous improvement. With your support and collaboration, I am confident that we can elevate our district to even greater heights. ​ ​ ​ ​ Participate in the YouthTruth and LCAP Survey ​ Your voice matters! This year, we embedded the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) Survey into the YouthTruth survey which will be sent to you via ParentSquare in the coming days. This survey is a crucial tool that allows us to gain insights into the experiences and perspectives of our students, staff, and parents regarding safety, wellness, and opportunities within our schools. The data collected will guide our improvement plans, ensuring that we address the needs of our community. Thank you for taking the time to participate in this important effort. ​ ​ ​ ​ Upcoming Achievement Forums ​ I am excited to announce that we will be hosting Achievement Forums led by our site principals at each of our 15 school sites in the coming months. These presentations will provide valuable insights into how each school is preparing our students for future success. We will share data on academic, social, and behavioral performance, and we invite you to engage in meaningful discussions about ways to enhance our educational offerings. Your partnership is essential in defining and achieving success for our children. ​ ​ ​ ​ In closing, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to our incredible teachers, support staff, and administrators. Your dedication makes our schools sacred spaces for learning and growth, and it is no surprise that Niche has awarded us an “A.” Thank you for being an integral part of our district community. Together, we can continue to inspire and empower our students. Warm regards, Eric ​ ​ ​ ​ Educational Services Lisa Yamashita, Assistant Superintendent ​ ​ ​ ​ We Need Your Feedback! ​ In an effort to reduce the number of surveys we ask parents to complete, this year we have embedded our LCAP survey questions within the YouthTruth survey for families. We need your feedback on our areas of focus and expenditures in order to plan for the 2025-26 Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). To help us prioritize, please take a few minutes to complete the LCAP Survey questions within this year's YouthTruth family survey. The deadline to complete the survey is Friday, October 25th. What is the LCAP? School districts in California receive additional money to create locally defined supports for three subgroups: English learners, homeless/foster youth, and socio-economically disadvantaged students. SLCUSD creates a three-year plan called the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) that identifies how our Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) property tax funds will be used. In 2024-25, SLCUSD will allocate approximately $6.6 million to improve the academic achievement of these three subgroups. The current 2024-25 LCAP for SLCUSD has three focus areas: rigorous, relevant, and engaging instruction and curriculum; academic Interventions; and creating an intentional culture of care.  Want to know more?   The LCAP website contains links to current and previous LCAP documents. The LCAP overview (English version/Spanish version) describes the goals, expected outcomes, and action steps for our current plan based on feedback from our students, staff, parents, and community LCAP Roadshow Video (YouTube) English LCAP Presentation link Spanish LCAP Presentation link YouthTruth Survey Link for Families  ​ ​ ​ ​ Free Teletherapy with Daybreak for Students Ages 5-19 ​ When kids are mentally healthy, they can think clearly, pay better attention, and learn new skills. That’s why we have partnered with Daybreak Health, a school-based mental health company, to provide teletherapy to our students at no cost to families. Students are matched with qualified clinicians who can help them with issues such anxiety, depression, attention & focus, relationships, stress, and more. If you are interested please complete this referral form. At the end of the form you will be asked to schedule an intake appointment for your child where a Daybreak staff member will get to know them so that they can be matched with a best-fit therapist. The teletherapy program lasts 12 weeks and appointments are available Monday - Saturday 8am - 8pm. For younger students (ages 5-12) Daybreak offers a family therapy program where parents attend the intake and therapy sessions with your child. For older students (ages 10-19) Daybreak offers a 1:1 program where your child meets individually with a clinician. For more information or support with a referral please reach out to your school counselor. ​ ​ ​ ​ Secondary Metrics- AP/A-G Results Board Presentation ​ At the Board meeting Mr. Neff presented the high schools’ A-G completion and Advanced Placement data for the 2023-24 school year. The A-G requirements are a set of coursework that students in high school must complete with a grade of C or higher to be eligible to apply to a four-year university. Advanced Placement courses provide students with an opportunity to take a test at the end of the course that, if passed with a score of 3 or higher out of 5, can provide them with transferable credit towards bachelors level courses in college. ​ ​ ​ ​ Career Technical Education Opportunity ​ Students interested in a trades industry such as plumbing, electrical, construction or solar- will have the opportunity to attend the Apprenticeship Forum and Trades Job Fair on October 24th from 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM. Please click HERE for a flyer for more information. ​ ​ ​ ​ Morro Bay High School Student Honored ​ Morro Bay High School student Orion Rea was named a 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalist. The Estero Bay News featured and celebrated Orion in a recent article. ​ ​ ​ ​ Business Services Ryan Pinkerton, Assistant Superintendent ​ ​ ​ ​ Sustainability Web Page ​ We recently published a new Sustainability page on our district website. The district has focused on developing sustainable and climate friendly practices over the past decade and we want to share both what we have accomplished and what we continue to work on. This new website is a jumping off point for us and we hope it is just the beginning of what we can accomplish and share with our community. In particular, we will be asking staff and students to share what is happening around the district so that we can add to the site. In November, I will begin highlighting a section of the Sustainability page in our communications to share what staff and students are doing to accomplish our goals. We are very fortunate to have a School Board who prioritizes sustainability. The Board led the way with the passage of an "Addressing Climate Change" Resolution in 2018. They also developed a Board subcommittee to focus on these goals. The current committee, led by Eve Hinton and Brian Clausen, has been very helpful in guiding staff in the development of this new site. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Important CalFresh Updates ​ Effective October 1, there will be increased to both the monthly allotments and income limits for CalFresh participants. These changes are part of the annual adjustment to ensure the program continues to meet the needs of households facing rising living costs.  CalFresh Eligibility and Benefit Levels CalFresh Brochure: ENGLISH | SPANISH ​ ​

Friday, Oct 04 2024

SLCUSD Board Meeting Agenda

Regular Board Meeting Agenda Tuesday, October 1, 2024 ******************************************** CLOSED SESSION - 5:30 p.m. OPEN SESSION - 6:00 p.m. ******************************************** VIA Teleconference & District Office Complex 1500 Lizzie Street - Room J2 San Luis Obispo, CA ******************************************* Zoom link will be available on the day of the meeting. *******************************************

Friday, Sep 27 2024

SLCUSD Family Communication

​ ​ Family Communication News and Updates from the Superintendent's Office ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Superintendent's Update Dr. Eric Prater ​ ​ ​ ​ Today’s public schools must navigate challenges that past generations could scarcely have imagined. The need for relevant education—preparing our students not just for jobs but for informed citizenship in an increasingly complex world—is more pressing than ever. The innovations we see today, such as Robotaxis and advancements in Artificial Intelligence, will dramatically influence the skills our students need. In San Luis Coastal, we recognize this challenge and are excited to integrate innovative lessons and unique learning opportunities that equip our students for a rapidly evolving future.  Our partnership with the San Luis Coastal Education Foundation has proven timely as they help us navigate this terrain with creativity and ingenuity. For example, they have been a key driver in training our teachers as Lead Education Designers (LED teachers) with a focus on hands-on, problem solving tasks that require teamwork, collaboration, and critical thought. Meanwhile, we have created innovative experiences and courses for all of our elementary and middle school students inside a laboratory environment.  Creating opportunities and encouraging students to become college and career ready following high school in San Luis Coastal is a priority. We welcome you to take a tour and watch us in action. I know you’ll be impressed.  Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to our students and schools. Through collaboration among parents, educators, and the community, we can ensure that our students are prepared for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Warm regards, Eric ​ ​ ​ ​ Educational Services Lisa Yamashita, Assistant Superintendent ​ ​ ​ ​ 2024-25 SLCUSD Equity Action Plan ​ We know that students feeling included and belonging at school is important to their academic and social development.  Also, we heard through staff and community surveys that more professional learning about Equity related topics as requested.  Here’s our plan to support staff, principals and families in supporting our most vulnerable students. ​ ​ ​ ​ SLO City Farm ​ Now that schools are back in session, the SLO City farm is busier than ever with students visiting! Each week during the school year, the farm leads four Therapeutic Horticulture sessions, welcoming 37 students from San Luis Coastal Unified School District’s special education classes. Through consistent hands-on experiences, students improve motor skills, learn to follow instructions, and exercise their bodies and minds as they plant seeds, harvest vegetables, taste new foods, and care for our animals. Some students have been coming to City Farm for more than four years, and programming welcomes students from middle school through their young adult years. These young adults work together to complete their chores- feeding the sheep and chickens, collecting eggs, and cleaning the chicken coop. Students are proud of their work and excited to share their accomplishments with their teachers. ​ ​ ​ ​ School Library Updates ​ In Elementary schools our librarians are working on developing lessons informed by the Model School Library Standards for California Public Schools and address topics such as how to use the library, choosing “just right” books, information literacy, digital citizenship, and developing a love for reading. Our Secondary School Librarians are working on supporting teachers with research projects, providing library orientations, arts and crafts and game clubs, Friends of the Library student groups, and hosting “book tasting” sessions for classes to introduce students to a variety of book genres. Our librarians are so important to our school communities! They develop positive relationships with students of all grade levels, ensure that teachers and students have access to learning materials, provide technology support, promote a love for reading and information literacy on their campuses, and provide a safe, welcoming space for students in their libraries. A great example is Amanda Nelson, the Baywood Librarian, who recently dressed in the Baywood mascot costume for Baywood’s famous Bear Hugs tradition and is a former Baywood student herself. She is passionate about providing excellent library services for her little “Ositos” and is an amazing leader on campus! ​ ​ ​ ​ Fall Curriculum Adoption Update ​ On Tuesday Night’s Board Meeting the ISLA Team presented an update on our Elementary ELA adoption as well as our Ethnic Studies Course adoption.  Both curriculum adoptions rolled out this fall. Morro Bay High School is offering the Ethnic Studies course this fall and SLO High School will offer the course in the 3rd trimester in spring. As this is a pilot year for the two versions of the course, we will utilize feedback from students and staff to refine and determine which version will be added as a new graduation requirement.  This process includes the review and approval by the Board of Education and will be applicable to students starting in the fall of 2026 (class of 2030). ​ ​ ​ ​ Del Mar Elementary at the Morro Bay Turns 60 Parade! ​ Last Saturday, Morro Bay had a parade to celebrate turning 60! Del MarElementary represented along with Morro Bay High School. It was a great group of Del Mar families and staff that turned out to wave to all of the residents who lined the streets. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Adult School Culinary Students Complete Level ​ The Culinary Food Services - Cooking Basics students have completed level I. The last class in level I offers students the opportunity to take the ServSafe Food Handler test for free. Students then can earn their food handlers card.   This test portion begins with a review video of skills and food safety training. Once the test is completed and the student passes, they receive a Food Handlers completion certificate and card. The Food Handlers card enables students to be able to work immediately in a food service environment, eliminating that step of the hiring process. Students that take time to earn this card are a more appealing hire for employers. We are proud of the dedication and time the Culinary Food Services students put in and grateful for Chef B. our teacher who leads them to success! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ High Holy Days Ahead ​ As we approach the High Holy Days, I wanted to share upcoming events of significance for our Jewish community: Selichot (September 28): This night marks the beginning of the High Holy Days with special prayers for forgiveness. It's a time for introspection and preparing hearts for the upcoming holidays. Rosh Hashanah (October 3): The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah is a time for renewal and reflection. Families gather to celebrate, share meals, and engage in prayer, symbolizing hope for the year ahead. Yom Kippur (October 12): Known as the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. It’s a solemn time for fasting, prayer, and seeking forgiveness from both God and others, fostering personal and communal healing. These observances hold deep meaning for our Jewish friends and families, serving as opportunities for reflection, connection, and spiritual growth. Let’s support and honor their practices during this sacred time. ​ ​ ​ ​ Business Services Ryan Pinkerton, Assistant Superintendent ​ ​ ​ ​ School Site Boundary Changes ​ We are resharing the information regarding the proposed school site boundary changes. It can be found on our district website. Please complete the survey if you have comments, questions, or concerns.  ​ ​

Friday, Sep 20 2024

SLCUSD Board Meeting Agenda

Regular Board Meeting Agenda Tuesday, September 17, 2024 ******************************************** CLOSED SESSION - 4:30 p.m. OPEN SESSION - 6:00 p.m. ******************************************** VIA Teleconference & Los Osos Middle School Library 1555 El Moro Avenue Los Osos, CA 93402 ******************************************* Zoom link will be available on the day of the meeting. *******************************************

Friday, Sep 13 2024

SLCUSD Family Communication

​ ​ Family Communication News and Updates from the Superintendent's Office ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Superintendent's Update Dr. Eric Prater ​ ​ ​ ​ Dear San Luis Coastal Community, As we embrace another exciting school year, I wanted to take a moment to share some reflections and updates from our district. ​ ​ ​ ​ Celebrating Our Community Spirit ​ It has been a joy to witness the enthusiasm and engagement during our Back to School Nights. Seeing parents, teachers, and site administrators come together to celebrate our schools and community is truly invigorating. The smiles and positive interactions we observed were a wonderful reminder of the strong, supportive network we have here in San Luis Coastal. Your involvement and dedication are what make our district such a special place for our students. ​ ​ ​ ​ Our Hearts Are With the Georgia Families ​ In the wake of the recent tragedy in Georgia, our hearts go out to the families and staff affected by the senseless violence. Such events are deeply unsettling and remind us of the critical importance of safety in our schools. We encourage you to visit the Safety page on the SLCUSD website to learn more about our ongoing commitment to maintaining a secure learning environment and our proactive approach to interventions. Our focus remains on ensuring that every student and staff member feels safe and supported. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Honoring Valarie Harrigan’s Legacy to San Luis Coastal ​ This week, we bid a fond farewell to Val Harrigan, who retired after nearly thirty years of dedicated service to our district. Val has been a cornerstone of our community, embodying our core values with her unwavering commitment and love for our schools and students. Her impact on San Luis Coastal is immeasurable, and while we will deeply miss her presence, we are grateful for the enduring legacy of love, kindness, and dedication she leaves behind. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Remembering Jim Quesenberry ​ It is with a heavy heart that we reflect on the life of Jim Quesenberry, a cherished former teacher and school board member. Jim devoted both his personal and professional life to serving our district and the Estero Bay community. His contributions have left an indelible mark on our schools and on the many lives he touched. We celebrate his remarkable legacy and honor his memory as we continue to build upon the foundation he helped to create. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ As we move forward into this school year, let us carry with us the spirit of community and the commitment to safety and service that defines San Luis Coastal Unified. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our schools. Warm regards, Eric ​ ​ ​ ​ Educational Services Lisa Yamashita, Assistant Superintendent ​ ​ ​ ​ Summer Experience and Summer School Recap ​ SLCUSD hosted another successful 6-week Summer Experience program for elementary and middle school students this year. The program grew for the third consecutive year serving nearly 1,700 rising 1st - 8th grade students, which is a whopping 37% of our district students in that age range.  The 30-day program was held at five different schools throughout the district, with our rising 5th-8th graders able to attend school at either Morro Bay or San Luis Obispo High School. Students benefited from the new state-of-the-art facilities provided by Measure D tax dollars. It was exciting to see our student learning how to swim in our new pools, performing in new theaters, and participating in labs for classes like digital media, ceramics, video game design, and more. We have already begun planning for summer of 2025 and are looking forward to continuing to serve our students and families in this award winning program.   The 9th-12th grade program provided both credit recovery and credit advancement courses in ELA, Math, History, PE, Health and ELD.  Over 600 students participated, earning over 500 credits.  If you would like to join our team and become a part of our staff next year, please email us at summerschool@slcusd.org.  ​ ​ ​ ​ California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) ​ On Tuesday the preliminary results from the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) for San Luis Coastal Unified School District were presented to the Board. The presentation included data from the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) assessments in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics, administered in 3rd-8th and 11th grade in Spring 2024, as well as Science test scores. The presentation highlighted district trends and growth over time. We are proud of the extraordinary efforts of our teachers, support staff, and administrative site leaders who continue to make academic achievement a priority. ​ ​ ​ ​ Help Your Child Succeed on the CAASPP State Assessment ​ As we kick off another school year, you can start now to help your children “show what they know” and be “proficient or exceed standards” on the state assessment named CAASPP in the Spring. Here is the flier and links in English and Spanish to learn more. ​ ​ ​ ​ iInnovate Program Expansion into Middle Schools ​ iINNOVATE is happy to announce an expansion into both of our middle schools. iINNOVATE is a district initiative in partnership with the San Luis Coastal Education Foundation.The Foundation is working with the middle schools to enhance students' education through various course offerings to deepen students' understanding of industry opportunities aligned with our high school CTE pathway programs. At Los Osos Middle School, students can participate in Digital Media, 3D Design, and Video Production, as well as introductory STEAM classes. At Laguna Middle School, students can take Digital Media, Engineering, and STEAM wheel classes. ​ ​ ​ ​ English Learner Student Support in San Luis Coastal ​ Many English learners represent the newest members of our society (including recently arrived immigrants and children of immigrants) who bring a rich diversity of cultural backgrounds and come from families with rich social and linguistic experiences. They also bring skills in their primary languages that contribute enormously to the state’s economic and social strengths as a talented multilingual and multicultural population.  This year in San Luis Coastal we are making changes to support our English Learners including: New EL TOSA Shannon McFadden-Sullivan, new curriculum at the elementary level, the Newcomer programs for Middle and High School Students, and more. If you have questions about the language program your child is in or what supports they receive please reach out to your school principal or teacher.  ​ ​ ​ ​ Adult School Starts Cooking Basics Class ​ The Culinary - Cooking Basics class is back in session. This is the second time the Adult School has offered this class and enrollment has doubled! All students shown here are learning and working in teams of two to make handmade pasta with white and marinara sauces. We are pleased to have Chef Bethany Markee on staff to educate members of the city and coastal communities. ​ ​ ​ ​ CTE Teacher Visits SpaceX ​ Tim Fay, Engineering and Welding teacher from San Luis Obispo High School, completed an externship at SpaceX in Austin, TX over the summer. Tim connected with a former SLOHS student who now works for SpaceX and was able to stay on site and see current and developing projects- all of which he is not allowed to discuss per nondisclosure agreements. However, he did walk away with a wealth of knowledge regarding an emerging industry that is expanding in our own backyard with a launch facility in Lompoc. Tim has been able to express to students that many jobs our current students will have someday- do not currently exist and their focus should be on building work ethic and curiosity- not necessarily skills. The externship program allows all of our district CTE teachers the opportunity to immerse themselves in industry, which allows for building content knowledge and making connections for our students in local industry pathways. ​ ​ ​ ​ Business Services Ryan Pinkerton, Assistant Superintendent ​ ​ ​ ​ School Site Boundary Changes ​ Information regarding the proposed school site boundary changes can now be found on our district website. I have also included a survey for comments, questions and concerns.  Over the next month, I'll be attending the following PTA meetings for those sites affected by these boundary changes to share the information. C.L. Smith – September 10 at 8:30 a.m. Bishop's Peak – September 11 at 12:00 p.m Sinsheimer – September 18 at 5:30 p.m. Los Ranchos – September 20 at 12:00 p.m Hawthorne – September 25 at 6:30 p.m. ​ ​

Friday, Sep 06 2024

SLCUSD Board Meeting Agenda

Regular Board Meeting Agenda Tuesday, September 3, 2024 ******************************************** CLOSED SESSION - 5:00 p.m. OPEN SESSION - 6:00 p.m. ******************************************** VIA Teleconference & District Office Complex 1500 Lizzie Street - Room J2 San Luis Obispo, CA ******************************************* Zoom link will be available on the day of the meeting. *******************************************

Friday, Aug 30 2024

Message from Dr. Prater

Dear Parents and Staff, As we embark on another exciting school year and parents visit our campuses during back-to-school nights, I want to take a moment to reaffirm our District’s unwavering commitment to student safety. Ensuring a secure and nurturing environment for all students and staff remains our top priority. Our dedication to this goal is reflected in the comprehensive range of trainings, resources, and systems we have put in place. These initiatives are designed to create a safe, supportive, and inclusive atmosphere throughout our schools. Our aim is to provide the best possible support for both our employees and the students entrusted to our care. For more details on the specific measures and programs we have implemented district-wide, please refer to the  District website’s Safety page . Your partnership is invaluable in helping us maintain a safe and positive educational environment. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation. Sincerely, Dr. Eric Prater,  Superintendent

Tuesday, Aug 27 2024

SLCUSD Family Communication

​ ​ Family Communication News and Updates from the Superintendent's Office August 23, 2024 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Superintendent's Update Dr. Eric Prater ​ ​ ​ ​ If you ever question or have doubts about what the San Luis Coastal family is about, I urge you to watch this short video about the Estero Bay Kindness Coalition. In short, this represents who we are when we are at our best: Love, kindness, and community working together for our kids. As former President Barack Obama said, "The story of America is a story of people coming together to build a better future. It’s about ordinary people doing extraordinary things, working together to create a better tomorrow for their children and grandchildren." As we start our journey through the school year, I want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible partnership we enjoy between our parents, employees, and the entire San Luis Coastal community. This collaboration is at the heart of our mission to provide the best educational experience for our students. I am honored to serve as your superintendent and look forward to getting to know you personally throughout the year. I believe in the power of connecting families to our schools and know first hand how it can change the trajectory of a child’s life for the better. ​ ​ ​ ​ Celebrating Our Partnership ​ The success of our students is a shared achievement. When parents, teachers, and the school district work hand-in-hand, we create a supportive and enriching environment where students can thrive. Your involvement is crucial, and there are many ways you can make a difference: Join PTAs and Booster Clubs: These organizations are vital in fostering a strong school community and supporting various programs and events. Your participation helps us build a vibrant, engaging educational experience for all students. Volunteer in the Classroom: Whether it's helping with activities, reading to students, or assisting with special projects, your presence in the classroom makes a significant impact. It not only supports our teachers but also shows your children the importance of active involvement in their education. Support our Education Foundation: Please check out the San Luis Coastal Education Foundation’s website and learn more about how to get involved. The SLCEF’s mission is to support our students and help them find success in life. ​ ​ ​ ​ The Power of Regular Attendance ​ Regular school attendance is more than just a routine; it is a critical factor in your child's educational success. Consistent attendance helps students: Build a Strong Foundation: Regular classroom presence ensures that students receive continuous instruction, which is essential for mastering core concepts and skills. Enhance Social Skills: Daily interaction with peers and teachers promotes the development of social and emotional skills. Achieve Greater Success: Studies show that students with consistent attendance perform better academically and are more likely to graduate and pursue further education or career opportunities. By ensuring your child attends school regularly, you are investing in their future success. We encourage you to establish a routine that supports good attendance and communicate with us if you encounter any challenges. ​ ​ ​ ​ Let's Work Together ​ Our goal is to bring out the best in every student and help them reach their fullest potential. This is a shared responsibility that requires a united effort from everyone involved. Your support, enthusiasm, and commitment make a tremendous difference in our students' lives and contribute to a thriving school community. Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to our school community. As an educator, I have seen how this can have a genuine and profound difference in the lives of all students. Let’s do this together! Warm regards, Eric ​ ​ ​ ​ Educational Services Lisa Yamashita, Assistant Superintendent ​ ​ ​ ​ Congratulations to all for starting another school year off right-with great hope and enthusiasm. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing many happy student faces as I’ve toured our schools and classrooms these past two weeks. Hats off and much gratitude to all the staff -certificated teachers and other classified support staff- prepare beautiful classrooms ready to welcome our eager learners. May this be the best and strongest year of learning yet for your child. If on your journey of 2024-2025 school year you have questions or concerns for your child I urge you to reach out to your classroom teacher or school principal for help and support. Every new school year brings new beginnings, new adventures and new challenges-enjoy the journey! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Elementary Staff Professional Development ​ In preparation for the start of our school year, SLCUSD teachers participated in many trainings covering topics such as new Benchmark curriculum and enhancing instructions, support for emerging bilingual students, supports for students receiving specialized small group instruction and phonemic awareness diagnostic tools.  Also our new Elementary teachers attended our Kickstart Academy focused on building community and teaching history/social science and science curriculums.  And our PE, Music and Arts teachers had a day to collaborate and coordinate. ​ ​ ​ ​ Secondary Staff Professional Development ​ Secondary teachers participated in a variety of enriching professional development opportunities over the summer. Some topics covered include: developing positive and supportive student relationships, AVID strategies in the classroom to support all learners, Advanced Placement teachers attended Summer Institutes across California. ​ ​ ​ ​ Business Services Ryan Pinkerton, Assistant Superintendent ​ ​ ​ ​ Potential Elementary School Boundary Changes: Bishop’s Peak, C.L. Smith, Hawthorne, Los Ranchos, and Sinsheimer ​ Due to new home construction in the city of San Luis Obispo, some of our city elementary schools (CL Smith, Hawthorne, Los Ranchos) are seeing growth while others are experiencing declining enrollment (Bishop’s Peak and Sinsheimer). With more housing development happening soon, we need to look at updating current school boundaries to even out our student populations. This does not affect our elementary schools on the coast (Baywood, Monarch Grove, and Del Mar). All our coastal schools have been experiencing declining enrollment for the past few years, likely due to lack of development and higher housing costs. This also does not affect Teach or Pacheco, as those are “schools of choice” and do not have specific boundaries. The district hired King Consulting, Inc., demographers who specialize in this work, to explore possible boundary adjustments. The Board held a study session on April 11, 2024 where Rob Murray from King Consulting presented information on historical enrollments, US Census population demographics, birth rate trends, existing cohort trends, development, and spatial analysis of elementary residents and enrollment.  At the May 16, 2024 Board Study Session, Mr. Murray presented the Board with three boundary adjustment options. After much discussion, the Board narrowed down the three possible scenarios to Option 3 and gave consensus on the criteria for a potential boundary update that would balance the school populations with the least impact: Balance out student populations at sites, based on the size of the site; Boundaries that make sense geographically and for transportation; Demographics; Lowest overall impact; and Grandfather in any changes (current students and their incoming siblings can remain at site).  ​ ​ ​ ​ By grandfathering in the boundaries, there are no impacts on current students, or their incoming siblings. It will change the boundaries for families currently not attending SLCUSD schools. The change in school populations will not happen overnight; it will take time as new students begin school and current students move on to middle school. On August 20, 2024, Mr. Murray and I presented information on the demographic changes in San Luis Obispo and the impact it is having on our schools. This presentation included a timeline of next steps. There will be several opportunities for parents and staff to weigh in on the proposed changes. However, I did want to get this information out to parents, staff and the community now to begin our discussions. Potential Boundary Change Map Detail Maps for Each Potential Change If you click on the maps above, you’ll see that the current boundaries are: Dark Green – Bishop’s Peak Peach – Hawthorne  Yellow – Sinsheimer  Pink – Smith  Bright Green – Los Ranchos  The potential New Boundaries are indicated by the bold lines on the map: C.L. Smith: the new boundary would run along Highway 101 – that C.L. Smith area would move to Los Ranchos boundary. Hawthorne: Marsh Street and Pismo Street would be the new Bishop’s Peak boundary; those Hawthorne students would move to Bishop’s Peak.  Los Ranchos: The new housing by Orcutt Road and Tank Farm would move to Sinsheimer’s boundary. Results of these changes: Reduced enrollment at C.L. Smith Elementary and Hawthorne Elementary Schools;  Increased enrollment at Bishop’s Peak Elementary and Sinsheimer Elementary Schools; and;  A student population shift at Los Ranchos Elementary School. This boundary change will reduce the population in the short term and allow for future growth as the Los Ranchos Elementary School boundary is where the most future growth is located (Avila Ranch). ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Food & Nutrition Services ​ Meals remain FREE for ALL students for the 2024-25 school year. Students may select one free breakfast and one free lunch daily while at school. Eligible sites may also offer one free supper meal daily. All meals must be consumed on campus, unless a field trip meal has been prearranged. Menus can be found online at or by downloading the app “MealViewer To Go” in the app store. We look forward to serving you this year! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​

Friday, Aug 23 2024

SLCUSD Family Communication

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES Morro Bay High School Film Festival - Monday, May 13 @ Bay Theater Coast Elem Spring Concert - Tuesday, May 14 at 6:00 p.m. @ Morro Bay High Theater Coast Choir Concert - Thursday, May 16 at 7:00 p.m. @ Morro Bay High Theater The Great Gatsby - Friday, May 16, 17 & 18 at 7:00 p.m. @ SLOHS Theater Coast Band Concert - Tuesday, May 21 at 7:00 p.m. @ Cal Poly PAC Pirate Olympics - May 23 at 8:30 @ MBHS City Elem District Band Concert - Thursday, May 23 at 7:00 p.m. @ SLO High Theater SLOHS Tiger Olympics - Friday, May 24 at 9:00 a.m. @SLOHS  SLOHS Powder Puff - Wednesday, May 29 at 5:00 p.m. @ SLOHS SLOHS Senior Farewell Concert - Wednesday, May 29 at 6:30 p.m. @ SLOHS LAMS & SLOHS Sounds of Summer Choir Concert - Thursday, May 30 at 7:00 p.m. @ SLOHS PBHS Graduation - Thursday, June 6 at 11:00 a.m. @ PBHS MBHS Graduation - Thursday, June 6 at 5:00 p.m. @ MBHS Football Stadium SLOHS Graduation - Friday, June 7 at 5:00 p.m. @ SLOHS Football Stadium SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE Dr. Eric Prater, Superintendent I hope this message finds you all well. I'm reaching out to invite you to join us in celebrating Employee Appreciation Month, a special time dedicated to honoring the incredible individuals who make our district shine. At our recent Board meeting, the Board of Trustees came together with full hearts to unanimously pass a Resolution of Appreciation. This resolution honors our educators and support staff, recognizing their unwavering dedication and hard work. May is now officially Employee Appreciation Month in our district, encompassing celebrations such as California Day of the Teacher, the Week of Classified Employees, Food Services Hero Week, and Recognition of Support and Administrative Staff. Our employees are the backbone of our district, and their commitment to our students is truly remarkable. They pour their hearts and souls into their work every single day, going above and beyond to ensure that our children receive the best education possible. As members of our district family, I invite you to join us in expressing our gratitude to these outstanding individuals. Whether it's a simple thank you, a note of appreciation, or a small gesture of kindness, every act of recognition means the world to our employees. Together, let's show our employees just how much they mean to us. They are the heart of our district, and we are incredibly grateful for all that they do. With warm regards, Eric EDUCATIONAL SERVICES Lisa Yamashita, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Update  At our most recent Board meeting on Tuesday, May 7, Secondary Director, Leslie O’Connor and Secondary Curriculum TOSA & AVID District Coordinator, Jane Hawley, made the following  presentation  to report the progress and support of our AVID program. SLOHS & MBHS teachers and students enrolled in AVID represented their site by highlighting their remarkable experiences with AVID. Elementary Athletics  Athletics for Achievement had their first all district track meet of the season at San Luis Obispo High School’s Holt Stadium last Friday with 5th and 6th graders representing all ten elementary schools. With the help of the SLOHS Track Team and our Cal Poly College Corps Fellows, the track meet was a fun success! We have our final track meet of the academic year this Friday, May 10 at SLOHS starting at 3:30 PM. We would love for you to come out and cheer on our runners for their last competition! Adult School The Parent Participation program introduced a new field trip class for our parents this quarter called Preschool Explorers and it has been a great success! Led by teacher Jolie Burrows, families meet up at a different special location each week to discover the magic of the natural world and learn easy ways to inspire their children to be curious and engaged with things in nature. It has been so much fun visiting creeks, tidepools, local trails, and some lesser-known magical outdoor spaces to play games, create art, find animal tracks, and discover new creatures! Laguna Middle School California Distinguished School Celebration Congratulations to Laguna Middle School on their California Distinguished School celebration last week!  BUSINESS SERVICES Ryan Pinkerton, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Food Services News Los Osos Middle School Cafe received a new wall graphic to elevate the dining environment! Check out this  VIDEO  of the new space.  Join City Farm SLO for their  Sheep Shearing Shindig  on May 25th. This family friendly event will have farm games, shearing demonstrations, face painting, food trucks, and more!  This is a ticketed event , children 12 and under are free.  Thank you for celebrating our amazing school food lunch heroes on May 3. Our super team had a great time celebrating with students, staff, and families! Get to know our  SUPER staff here. 

Friday, May 10 2024