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February 11, 2025 Board Recap
Budget Recommendations Discussion District leadership presented budget sustainability recommendations to address required reductions of $9.65M (2025-26) and $4M (2026-27). The plan details $9,572,657 in proposed cuts and the consolidation/reduction of 46 FTEs. Recommendations are based on stakeholder feedback, program reviews, and impact assessments. After a discussion about the proposals, Board Members requested more information before giving guidance. This will be presented at the February 25th Board Meeting. Sustainability Update An update on Sustainability initiatives at the District was presented Tuesday night. All solar panels are now online across SB Unified. The project is estimated to save the District $14M over 28 years. Additionally, District crews are upgrading lighting throughout the District to LED, which will bring power cost savings. So far, work has been completed at Dos Pueblos, La Cumbre, Monroe, San Marcos, and Santa Barbara Junior High. The next schools expected to receive the upgrade are Goleta Valley, La Colina, Roosevelt, and Santa Barbara High. To read a full list of upgrades, visit the Board Meeting Agenda. Board Meeting Public Comment Changes The Board continued discussions around amending Bylaw 9323 to improve meeting efficiency while preserving public comment opportunities. The Board considered several potential solutions before electing to make a decision at a later Board meeting. Classroom Champions Every week, we celebrate the incredible impact our teachers have, creating lifelong learners who discover the joy of learning. They're not just teaching multiplication and literature; they're shaping futures. This week, we’ll introduce you to Harding teacher Natalie Ramirez.
Friday, Feb 14 2025
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Flyer Friday: District Closed Friday and Monday
R eminder! There will be no school on February 14 and February 17 to commemorate Presidents Day. The district office is also closed these days. We look forward to having our students back to school on Tuesday, February 18. As promised in Resolution No. 2024-25-18, supported by the District, SBTA, and CSEA, we are preparing to cohost a Know Your Rights Family Information Night about immigrant rights and protections. It’s happening Thursday, February 20th, from 6-7 p.m. in the Jo Anne Caines Theater at La Cumbre Junior High. RSVP Here: https://docs.google.com/.../1MbleDOgdPl21FHn0.../viewform... The event will be presented in Spanish, and Interpretation services will be offered in English. Food and Childcare will be provided for attendees.
Friday, Feb 14 2025
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Schools Open Thursday
Schools will remain open tomorrow/ Thursday during the storm. We are closely monitoring the incoming weather and are in constant communication with local officials, including the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management. We have been planning and preparing for this weather event and have safety plans in place to address any potential issues related to rain and wind. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child’s school directly. Stay Safe
Thursday, Feb 13 2025
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Join the LCAP Parent Advisory Committee – Help Ensur...
2024-25 LCAP Parent Advisory Committee Invitation to Participate February 7, 2025 Dear Parents and Guardians, We invite you to join the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) Parent Advisory Committee for the Santa Barbara Unified School District! Your voice is crucial in helping shape district priorities to ensure all students are prepared for college and career. As a member of the LCAP Parent Advisory Committee, you will: ✅ Provide input on programs that support college and career readiness ✅ Help guide funding decisions to enhance student opportunities ✅ Collaborate with district leaders to improve educational pathways ✅ Ensure equity in access to resources for all students We value the perspectives of parents from all backgrounds and experiences—your insights can help create a brighter future for our students! 📅 Meetings: Wednesday, February 26 Tuesday, March 18 Thursday, April 17 Wednesday, May 7 📍 Location: SBUSD District Office, 720 Santa Barbara St. 🕕 Time: 6:00 – 7:30 PM Join us in making a lasting impact on the success of our students. If you’re interested or have any questions, please contact Anna Pilhoefer, at apilhoefer@sbunified.org. We look forward to working together to ensure that every student is ready for college, career, and beyond! Anna Pilhoefer Director, School Performance and Student Outcomes Santa Barbara Unified School District
Wednesday, Feb 12 2025
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Major Storm Notification
The National Weather Service is forecasting moderate to heavy rain for Santa Barbara County, beginning early Wednesday, February 12 and peaking Thursday between 10 AM and 4 PM before tapering off on Friday. School will remain open as usual on Wednesday and Thursday. (Reminder: Schools are closed Friday and Monday for Presidents' Day weekend.) We will provide updates if any are necessary. This storm may bring strong winds, downed trees, power outages, and hazardous road conditions. Please stay alert and take precautions: Drive with caution on wet roads and allow extra travel time. If possible, limit unnecessary travel. Be aware of your surroundings —heavy rain can lead to mudslides, rockslides, and road debris. Avoid floodwaters —never walk or drive through flooded areas or around barricades, as water depth and speed can be unpredictable. Prepare for possible power outages by charging your devices in advance. Secure outdoor items such as patio furniture and other loose belongings that may be affected by strong winds. We encourage everyone to stay informed and take necessary precautions to stay safe. Thank you for your cooperation. Resources Public safety officials are closely monitoring the incoming storm. The best and fastest way to stay up-to-date on this storm is by subscribing to alerts at readysbc.org or monitoring updates on your local broadcast tv, radio, and online news publications. You can get emergency alerts sent straight to your phone by signing up at: https://www.readysbc.org/ Be aware that travel routes could be impacted by the storm. Check for road closure updates: https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ For the latest weather outlook, please visit: https://www.weather.gov/lox
Wednesday, Feb 12 2025
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25-26 Budget Recommendations
Dear Santa Barbara Unified Families, This message contains important information regarding necessary budget recommendations to be presented at Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting. These recommendations were not made lightly; we understand their impact on our staff and students. They also do not reflect individual performance. The reduction recommendations were made based on input from: Spring 2024 LCAP Input Panorama Survey Budget Survey Multiple Meetings with District Leaders Meetings with SBTA and CSEA Leadership Factors considered during the decision-making process include: Ensure little impact on students, especially our most vulnerable Maintain the District’s compliance with regulations and Education Codes (mandated/restricted programs or services that cannot be cut) Review of funding source (i.e., grants, mandated restricted funds) Understand the impact of any program or service reduction on conducting business. Know what the impact would be on District goals Use data to inform decision-making Recommendations The District created a handout with the specific recommendations, which is embedded below: Budget Resources available We know you may have questions. We’ve compiled resources on our Budget and Financial Report webpage to help you understand the process, the steps already taken, and prior reports. Thank you for your understanding and support. We are committed to working together to ensure our students continue to receive the best possible education.
Saturday, Feb 08 2025
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College & Career February Newsletter
College & Career Readiness Newsletter SB Unified Press February 1, 2025 Term 3 is here! The start of a new term is a fresh opportunity to set the tone for success. It’s the perfect time to refocus, establish goals for your new classes, and build or strengthen habits that will carry you through the challenges ahead. Staying organized and keeping up with assignments is key to reducing stress and maximizing your potential. Whether it’s using a school agenda/planner, breaking tasks into manageable chunks, or setting aside dedicated study/homework time, small actions can make a big difference. Remember, hard work and consistency pay off! By starting strong and staying committed, you can tackle this term with confidence and achieve your goals. Spring Break will be here before you know it! Spencer Barr College & Career Counselor Issue No. 6 | FEBRUARY 2025 College & Career Information Financial Aid Offers Seniors who have applied to colleges and completed their FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application will soon be receiving their financial aid offers. If you are considering taking out loans, the Student Debt Smarter® Student Debt Affordability Calculator will not only help you see what your monthly loan repayment amount will be, but it will also tell you if the amount you are considering borrowing will be affordable or not based on your major and where you plan to live after graduation. You can access the calculator at https://www.studentdebtsmarter.org/NACAC/ Santa Barbara ACE Mentor Program. Are you interested in a career in architecture? It’s not too late to get involved with the Santa Barbara Chapter of the ACE Mentor Program. Click Here to Learn More Upcoming Events February National School Counseling Week February 3-7 Give thanks to your school counselors for their continuous support! Sweet Briar College is hosting their Winter Open House Sweet Briar College in Virginia offers a travel reimbursement when you and a parent/guardian come to visit! This is a perfect opportunity for female juniors to see their campus and discover what life at Sweet Briar, a women’s college, is all about. What’s in store: A tour of the stunning campus Opportunities to meet inspiring Sweet Briar students Insights into their academic programs and unique traditions First-Time Visitors: Travel costs don’t need to be a barrier! We’ll cover their stay at our charming Elston Inn and reimburse travel expenses, including flights and rental car. Sweet Briar could be an excellent choice for any student who wants a women’s college, who wants an engineering program (SBC is one of only two women’s colleges to be ABET-accredited!), who wants to major in archeology, or who loves horses and wants to ride recreationally or competitively. Date: Monday, February 17 REGISTER HERE FAFSA and Dream Act Workshops Each Monday at San Marcos High (except for Feb. 17) Each Tuesday at Dos Pueblos High Each Wednesday at Santa Barbara High College & Career Counselors We are here to support you! Spencer Barr Santa Barbara High School Work Hours: Mondays, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8AM-4PM and Wednesday 8AM-7PM Email: sbarr@sbunified.org Lindsay Woodard San Marcos High School Work Hours: Monday 8:30AM-7:30PM, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8AM-4PM and Friday 8AM-1PM Email: lwoodard@sbunified.org Natalie Douglas Dos Pueblos High School Work Hours: Monday, Wednesday - Friday 8AM-4PM, Tuesday 8AM-7:30PM Make an appointment here Email: ndouglas@sbunified.org Alejandro Juarez Alta Vista/La Cuesta Work Hours: La Cuesta: Monday, Wednesday-Friday 8AM-4PM Middle College: Email for appointment Alta Vista: Tuesday 8AM-4PM Email: ajuarez@sbunified.org Self-Care Tips This time of year can feel overwhelming with deadlines, decisions, and the future on your mind. Here are some self-care tips to keep you grounded and help you balance your school and personal life! Tackle FAFSA without the Stress Break it Down! Don’t try to complete the FAFSA in one sitting (but you certainly can try!). Set aside small chunks of time to gather documents, fill out sections, and review. Get Help: Reach out to your college and career counselor or attend a FAFSA workshop if you’re unsure about something. It's okay (and expected) to ask for guidance! Manage High School Stress Practice Mindfulness: Take five deep breaths, pick something in the room to focus on, and take in its details. Acknowledge that being present isn’t easy when your stressed, but practicing when you’re not stressed will make it easier for when you need to calm down. It really helps! Stay Active: Take a 10 minute walk, lift weights, dance, play a sport, just move your body and get that anxious energy out! Stay Organized: Don't let deadlines sneak up on you! Use Reminders on your phone, set alarms, and use a planner. Self-Care Activities to Try This Month: Vision Board: Create a collage with pictures of what you want to happen in your life in the next weeks, months, or year. It can be college, career, or just personal growth. Journaling: Write down one thing you’re grateful for each day and try to jot down what you’re thinking about that day. Digital Detox: Take 30 minutes away from your phone and laptop and connect with the people around you or do something you enjoy. Grade Level Tips Freshman College App. & Admissions Timeline: This timeline and set of resources track the college search and application process from 9th through 12th grade. Values Exercise (video): Spend some time thinking about your core values with this simple exercise. Your answers may help drive how you spend this upcoming summer. Sophmores Consider visiting a Spring College Fair in your area. NACAC Travels the country and visits cities, but there are also virtual fairs. How to Make the Most of a College Fair Experience Identify a summer program: Browse through options for day programs, residential programs, and online options that match an interest you might like to pursue. Read this: What are “Hooks” and “Institutional Priorities”? Utilize your SCOIR account to start to identify colleges you are interested in. Juniors Start looking out for fly-in program opportunities: These subsidized travel programs offer overnight campus visits for populations traditionally underrepresented in higher education. QuestBridge College Prep Scholars: See if you qualify to apply for this top-notch college admission support program. 5 Ways to Spend Your High School Summer Start planning your spring break college visits now. Most colleges have populated the admission session and tour dates for the remainder of the school years. Plan ahead and get registered. Utilize your SCOIR account to identify colleges you are interested in. By the end of Junior year, you should have a solid list of colleges that you want to apply to. Seniors Make sure you complete your FAFSA or Dream Act before the March 3 deadline. Senioritis: This is not the time to slack off. Colleges will see your final transcript this summer, and they do have the right to rescind (i.e., take back) their offer of admission if your spring grades drop significantly (gulp). Admitted student events: If possible, attend in-person and virtual events for admitted students to get your questions answered and help inform your decision-making process. Scholarships: Search for possible fits based on your academic interests, gender, religion, and more. Calendar of Events February Monday, February 3 - Friday, February 7 -National School Counselor Week Saturday, February 8 - ACT Test Friday, February 14 - Lincoln’s Birthday Holiday (No School) Sunday, February 16 - NACAC Virtual College Fair (registration required) Monday, February 17 - Presidents Day Holiday (No School) -Winter Open House at Sweet Briar College (see College & Career Information Section) Friday, February 21 - Registration deadline for March 8 SAT Tuesday, February 25 - Late Registration deadline for March 8 SAT Contact If you have questions or if there is anything you would like to learn more about in the College & Career Readiness Newsletter, email esalazar@sbunified.org
Saturday, Feb 08 2025
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Join the LCAP Parent Advisory Committee – Help Ensur...
2024-25 LCAP Parent Advisory Committee Invitation to Participate February 7, 2025 Dear Parents and Guardians, We invite you to join the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) Parent Advisory Committee for the Santa Barbara Unified School District! Your voice is crucial in helping shape district priorities to ensure all students are prepared for college and career. As a member of the LCAP Parent Advisory Committee, you will: ✅ Provide input on programs that support college and career readiness ✅ Help guide funding decisions to enhance student opportunities ✅ Collaborate with district leaders to improve educational pathways ✅ Ensure equity in access to resources for all students We value the perspectives of parents from all backgrounds and experiences—your insights can help create a brighter future for our students! 📅 Meetings: Wednesday, February 26 Tuesday, March 18 Thursday, April 17 Wednesday, May 7 📍 Location: SBUSD District Office, 720 Santa Barbara St. 🕕 Time: 6:00 – 7:30 PM Join us in making a lasting impact on the success of our students. If you’re interested or have any questions, please contact Anna Pilhoefer, at apilhoefer@sbunified.org. We look forward to working together to ensure that every student is ready for college, career, and beyond! Anna Pilhoefer Director, School Performance and Student Outcomes Santa Barbara Unified School District
Friday, Feb 07 2025
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Family Newsletter: Immigrant Family Information Night
SB Unified Updates Family Newsletter February 5, 2025 Santa Barbara Unified Families, A few parents have written to me asking whether all students will be safe and well cared for while at school as they hear of mass deportations and possible disruptions in schools. The answer is yes! California law gives every student a right to a free and public education, a value that all of us at SB Unified take very seriously. Another question I’ve received is: How can parents help? It’s important to talk to your children about the value of every person and our shared humanity. Teach and guide them to know that all human lives are important and that kindness and respect should guide all our interactions with one another. In my years in education, I’ve learned that students might not always grasp the full meaning of our adult rhetoric. Children are naturally compassionate, and they can sense the pain and fear of their friends or even worry that threats against others might include them. Talk to your children about their concerns and wonderings and listen for some of these or other worries they may have. We are a strong, united community, and I have seen firsthand the power of our collective voice towards protecting the most vulnerable. Santa Barbara Unified stands firm in its commitment to our immigrant families. We believe actions speak louder than words, and we are dedicated to ensuring every child, regardless of their immigration status, has access to a free, safe, and welcoming public education. As promised in Resolution No. 2024-25-18, supported by the District, SBTA, and CSEA, we are preparing to cohost a Know Your Rights Family Information Night on Thursday, February 20th, from 6-7 p.m. in the Jo Anne Caines Theater at La Cumbre Junior High. RSVP Form The event will be presented in Spanish, and Interpretation services will be offered in English. Food and Childcare will be provided for attendees. As a District, Santa Barbara Unified has strong policies in place to protect our students and families, which you can review here: Board Policy 5145.13 Administrative Regulation 5145.13 Sites will implement a Hold safety protocol if ICE agents or enforcement are on or around our campuses. The Hold protocol is used when hallways in the school need to remain clear. Classroom learning will still take place as normal during a Hold, but students may not be able to change classes until after the Hold has been lifted. Schools are not authorized to grant federal law enforcement access to campus, students, or student records without a valid judicial warrant or court order. All judicial warrants or court orders must be reviewed by the Assistant Superintendent of Student & Family Services. We know this can be a stressful time for families. To help you and your loved ones with information, we created a webpage with resources for families who may need support. Immigrant Family Support Lastly, if you are in a position to help by providing additional resources, such as money or food for families in need, please consider doing so, there are many local non-profit organizations dedicated to this work. If your family has any questions, please contact your school’s Family Engagement Liaison by calling the front office. Thank you, Dr. Hilda Maldonado Superintendent Join the LCAP Parent Advisory Committee – Help Ensure College & Career Readiness! We invite you to join the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) Parent Advisory Committee for the Santa Barbara Unified School District! Your voice is crucial in helping shape district priorities to ensure all students are prepared for college and career. As a member of the LCAP Parent Advisory Committee, you will: ✅ Provide input on programs that support college and career readiness ✅ Help guide funding decisions to enhance student opportunities ✅ Collaborate with district leaders to improve educational pathways ✅ Ensure equity in access to resources for all students We value the perspectives of parents from all backgrounds and experiences—your insights can help create a brighter future for our students! 📅 Meetings: Wednesday, February 26 Tuesday, March 18 Thursday, April 17 Wednesday, May 7 📍 Location: SBUSD District Office, 720 Santa Barbara St. 🕕 Time: 6:00 – 7:30 PM Join us in making a lasting impact on the success of our students. If you’re interested or have any questions, please contact Anna Pilhoefer, at apilhoefer@sbunified.org. We look forward to working together to ensure that every student is ready for college, career, and beyond! Celebrating Black History Month February is Black History Month, a time to recognize and honor the achievements and contributions of African Americans throughout history. Black/ African American history is American history, and it is essential that we all learn about their struggles and triumphs in order to understand our country's past and present. Schools are hosting celebrations and events around the theme all month, and we encourage all students, staff, and parents to participate in these events and activities. Happy Black History Month! Emergent Multilingual Learner (EML) Master Plan Advisory Committee The Emergent Multilingual Learner (EML) Guiding Coalition and Team of Authors have been collaborating with Loyola Marymount University to develop our SBUSD EML Master Plan. This week the team will enlist the input and feedback from the newly formed Advisory Committee. This committee will convene on four opportunities to gather feedback on the preliminary drafts of the EML Master Plan. Canvas Parent App Exciting news for parents! The Canvas Parent app now lets you view your child’s assignment submissions and teacher feedback directly within the app. This update enhances your ability to support your child’s learning by keeping you informed about their progress and areas for improvement. Key Features: View Submissions: Access the actual work your child has submitted. See Teacher Feedback: Read comments and feedback provided by teachers on each assignment. To take advantage of these new features, ensure your Canvas Parent app is updated to the latest version. For more details, check out the official announcement HERE Stay connected and support your child’s educational journey with these enhanced tools! Tech Tips: Privacy and Security K-5 English Spanish 6-12 English Spanish Classroom Champions Meet our #ClassroomChampions! Every week, we celebrate the incredible impact our teachers have, creating lifelong learners who discover the joy of learning. They're not just teaching multiplication and literature; they're shaping futures. Know a #ClassroomChampion at your school? Email us at info@sbunified.org!
Thursday, Feb 06 2025
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Flyer Friday: Connecting Our Community
The Universal Screener Advisory Committee recently held their second meeting to discuss how SBUnified will choose a tool to help identify reading difficulties in young students. A universal screener is a quick assessment that helps schools identify students who may need extra support in reading. As required by Education Code 53008, all California school districts must implement a reading difficulties screener for students in grades K-2 by the start of the 2025-26 school year. During the meeting, the team reviewed the district’s Literacy Vision, went over state requirements for reading screeners, and studied the four reading screeners approved by the California Department of Education (CDE). After careful discussion, the committee decided to remove one option, ROAR, from consideration. The committee will now focus on reviewing the remaining three screeners: Amira , mCLASS , and Multitudes . To learn more about the screeners being considered, you can check out the CDE News Release . We will also be hosting a Community Forum on Wednesday, February 26th from 5:00-6:00 pm in the District office board room. RSVP Here! MOVE Santa Barbara County is a SBUSD partner educating students on pedestrian and bike safety and encouraging students to live healthy, active lifestyles. We are a resource for families interested in making the switch to using sustainable transportation. Contact Kim@MoveSBCounty.org https://www.unitedwaysb.org/vita The Music Academy of the West’s FREE afterschool choral program for ALL singers in Santa Barbara County (grades 1-9) is accepting registrations for the Spring season. No experience required! Rehearsals are in session at our 6 partner sites including Adams, Canalino, Franklin, Hollister, Monroe, and a Hope District location, temporarily Bishop Garcia Diego High School. ANY singer may attend ANY of these rehearsal locations. We ALSO offer a Music Academy campus-based group for post-elementary singers ( Miraflores Singers ). Register your child at musicacademy.org/sing today!
Saturday, Feb 01 2025