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  • Thanksgiving Reminder

    Family News   |   NOVEMBER 17   2023     Important Dates November 20-24- Thanksgiving Break (No School) Thursday, November 30- DEMLAC Meeting Wednesday, December 13- Board Meeting   High School Showcase Invite   Santa Barbara Unified’s High School Showcase is back on November 29th. The event brings together the Academy, Career Technical Education, and Visual and Performing Arts programs from all of the high schools in the district. During the day, all incoming 8th graders in SB Unified are brought to the Earl Warren Showgrounds to view program exhibits and interact with current high school students and teachers. The Showcase is open to the public from 5-7 p.m., and families are welcome to visit the booths and meet student and staff representatives from each of the programs. Thanksgiving Reminder As a reminder, Thanksgiving Break begins Monday, November 20th and lasts all week. The District Office will remain open for business from November 20th through November 22nd.  We hope everyone has a joyous time with family and/ or friends while taking a moment to reflect and give thanks to those around us. We also want to extend our gratitude to all teachers, staff, families and community members for contributing to our collective efforts of nurturing and empowering our students. May the season of Thanksgiving bring many reasons to be grateful.  Class will resume on November 27th. Board Meeting Recap Our latest Board of Trustees meeting was held Tuesday night. Below is a recap of some items that were on the agenda. You can review the whole  agenda here . 2024-2025 School Year Calendar Approved- The Board approved the calendar for the 2024-2025 school year. Of note, the calendar includes a 3-week winter break again. The decision was made after polling teachers, staff, and families how they felt about the change. The decision was made to survey everyone again after experiencing the 3-week winter break this year before making a decision on whether to continue with this schedule. You can see the  calendar here . Approval to begin negotiations with Santa Barbara Teachers' Association (SBTA)-  The Board Approved the letters indicating the intent to begin negotiations with SBTA. The District and labor partner will bargain the terms of a successor contract for the new contract that begins next school year. The first bargaining session was held on November 15th. Updates on negotiations will be provided in future communications. You can find all of our  negotiation updates here . Development Agreement for the former Parma School site-  The Board approved an agreement between SB Unified and the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara to create affordable housing for District employees. The Housing Authority will help the District prepare tax credit applications, obtain land use entitlements, coordinate the preparation of architectural designs and plans, obtain construction and permanent financing, coordinate the construction of the development, and syndicate tax credits. This project will not cost the District besides costs incurred from staff time working on the project. Once completed, at least 40 affordable housing units will be created. Other District-owned land is being reviewed as possible housing options as well. Agreement to Build New San Marcos High School Health Careers Academy- SB Unified entered an agreement with the Royal Pride Foundation (RPF) to collaborate on building a comprehensive healthcare program and industry-standard training for future health professionals. This involves building new state-of-the-art facilities and expanding the Wellness Center. The Health Careers Academy will focus on providing career and technical education in health, science, and medical technology to approximately 200 students annually. The Wellness Center will offer space for counseling and therapeutic sessions with social workers, mental health therapists, and crisis intervention specialists. Further details will be provided in future updates. Secondary Curricula Adoption Report- The District is continuing its annual review of coursework offered to our students and is preparing to propose new curricula this school year. In December, the Board will consider opening a 30 Day Window for public inspection of Physics and Ethnic Studies coursework. They will be considered for adoption in January. In March, a 30 Day window will be offered for the public to review our proposed math curriculum. This will be considered for adoption in April. All three subjects would see their coursework adopted in the 24-25 school year if they are approved. Clothing Pop Up La Colina Jr. High School will be hosting a clothing pop up on November 29 and November 30, 4pm-5pm.  Everything is free and there will be clothes for the whole family. Bring your own shopping bag. If you have any questions, please contact 805-967-4506 or email  swalter@sbunified.org   and  bchavarin@sbunified.org .  Family Classes SB Unified has partnered with Daybreak Health, What is lOVE, and Aha! to offer free family classes as part of our Family Engagement Wednesday series.  The topics support student mental health, social-emotional wellness, healthy relationships, and modifying behavior.  Upcoming Classes: Identify Unhealthy Relationship Behavior Before the Crisis  (Presented by  What is lOVE ) -  November 29, 6-7:15pm,  WEBINAR LINK . (Meeting ID: 848 1604 1585, Passcode: 833292) Emotional Intelligence  (Presented by:  Aha!)  -  December 6, 6-7:15pm  WEBINAR LINK Practice How to Start Conversations with Your Kids Around Consent  (Presented by  What is lOVE ) -  December 13, 6-7:15pm,  WEBINAR LINK . (Meeting ID: 848 1604 1585, Passcode: 833292) Understanding Youth Behavioral Changes  (Presented by  Daybreak)  -  January 17, 6-7 pm  REGISTER HERE Parent Tech Tips - Digital Security  In today’s always-on digital world, our online options have exploded, multiplying the ways we can connect, learn, and have fun. But along with the privilege of this digital abundance come new and unexpected responsibilities related to privacy and data safety concerns. For tips on online security best practices, please  read more on our  SBUnified Online Safety Hub . Free Movie Night and Talk Come see the Documentary “Amazing Grace” and meet Santa Barbara local, Grace Fisher, for a talkback and Q & A at the Inclusive Arts Workshop at the La Cumbre Plaza. Free public event, suggested donation $10. Grace was an active musician and dancer until a rare spine disease almost derailed her budding career. In this new 56-minute, award-winning documentary we see grief transformed into gratitude and tragedy turned into opportunity. Highlighting SB Unified Cooks We are recognizing our SB Unified cooks for the great work they do to provide healthy and nutritious meals to our students– while highlighting one of their favorite recipes.  For our first edition, we introduce you to Sonia Salazar. Sonia has been working in the school district for 16 years. She feels happy about her job, and sharing the kitchen with her co-workers, especially because she learns something new every day.  Sonia’s favorite part of her job is to be surrounded by the students.  We extend Sonia our appreciation for nourishing minds and bodies every day.  Every Child Award As part of this Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day push, we are unveiling the “Every Child Award “ tonight. Chosen by principals and cabinet members, this honor highlights our teachers and staff who are going above and beyond in these efforts. Tuesday night , we announced the following honorees at our Board of Education meeting:   Kristin Bollingmo HUPS Elizabeth Comeaux Roosevelt Elementary Maureen Granger La Colina JHS Amy McMillan San Marcos Megan Kooyman Cleveland Lara Ernest La Cuesta Tina Solberg SBCA Jake Boone DPHS You can see the slides presented  here . Please join us in congratulating these honorees. We will continue to honor our staff at each meeting throughout the year.

    Saturday, Nov 18 2023

  • No School Friday in Observance of Veterans Day

    Santa Barbara Unified Families,  Our schools and the District Office will be closed this Friday, November 10th in observance of Veterans Day. No classes will be held on this day.   We want to take the opportunity to thank and honor our veterans for their sacrifices and contributions to our country.  We look forward to having our students return to classes on Monday, November 13. We hope you have a restful and reflective weekend. 

    Friday, Nov 10 2023

  • Reminder: Earn your high school diploma at SBCC thro...

    Santa Barbara Unified Families,  Alta Vista Middle College at SBCC is hosting an informational meeting on Tuesday, November 7, for students looking to earn their high school diploma while also exploring college and career pathways at Santa Barbara City College.  Middle College is a hybrid independent study/college program located on the SBCC campus for students aiming to earn their high school diploma while also exploring college and career pathways at Santa Barbara City College. Students, who are predominantly juniors and seniors, participate in an independent study program delivered via one-on-one meetings with high school teachers and attend SBCC classes with college professors and students.    As students work towards earning their high school diploma, they also actively experience and learn how to succeed in a college environment. Some of the most important skills students report learning are time management, communication, and learning how to be resourceful and advocate for themselves.  Middle College also offers students an excellent opportunity to sample various potential college majors and career pathways.     Students often graduate from Middle College with about one year of tuition-free college credits on their transcript. Upon graduation from high school, many students continue their education at SBCC while others apply to and attend four-year universities directly from high school. The upcoming Information Night will take place on Tuesday, November 7 at 6 p.m. in room H-111 at SBCC. Students (along with their families) interested in joining Middle College in Spring or Fall of 2024, are invited to attend.  To RSVP for the meeting, please email  rfreking@sbunified.org   with the name of the student and parent(s)/guardian(s) planning to attend and let us know if you would like Spanish interpretation at the meeting. We look forward to meeting you soon and having the opportunity to share more about Middle College!

    Tuesday, Nov 07 2023

  • College & Career Readiness November Newsletter : The...

    Dear SBUSD Students and Families, At our October 10th School Board meeting, Julissa Garcia, Coordinator of College & Career Readiness, presented to the School Board and District Administration on our College & Career Readiness initiatives for this school year. This monthly newsletter is an important component of those initiatives. Here is the October 10th School Board meeting link (1 hour, 14 minute mark) if you would like to see her presentation. For this November edition of The Unified Press, we encourage our students and families to take full advantage of their sources and opportunities our schools have to offer you. We are partners in your educational journey! Key updates for this month include: Tips for maximizing holiday breaks, College Fair and college athletics events,maximizing the SCOIR platform, and our monthly Grade LevelTips. Spencer Barr, College & Career Counselor,Santa Barbara High School

    Friday, Nov 03 2023

  • Test Scores Released

    Family News   |  November 1,  2023     Important Dates Friday, November 10- Veteran's Day November 14- School Board Meeting November 20- November 24- Thanksgiving Break (No School) Wednesday, November 29- High School Showcase   High School Showcase Coming Soon   Santa Barbara Unified’s High School Showcase is back on November 29th. The event brings together the Academy, Career Technical Education, and Visual and Performing Arts programs from all of the high schools in the district. During the day, all incoming 8th graders in SB Unified are brought to the Earl Warren Showgrounds to view program exhibits and interact with current high school students and teachers. The Showcase is open to the public from 5-7 p.m., and families are welcome to visit the booths and meet student and staff representatives from each of the programs. Test Scores Released The final results of the 2022-2023 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) test scores were released for public review. Santa Barbara Unified’s final scores were 50.08% meeting or exceeding the standard for English Language Arts (ELA) and 38.1% for Mathematics.  The California average for test scores is 46.66% in ELA and 34.62% in Math. In Santa Barbara County, Districts averaged 39.17% in ELA and 28.44% in Math. You can see a breakdown of  schools here . While the growth is being celebrated, Santa Barbara Unified is committed to continuing to see even more improvement in the coming years ahead. We are proud and grateful to our teachers and staff for their hard work and dedication. However, we still have a lot of focused, intentional instructional support to close the achievement and opportunity gaps that persist. All students need to be prepared to be caring, literate, and critical thinkers. That is why this year, we are working with our leaders to know our students by name, face, and story. District and school leaders have analyzed the data to determine the next steps and how we can continue to improve test scores. This process includes principals building plans to meet the unique needs of each school. This year, the District is implementing the  Wit & Wisdom  and  Fundations  curriculum to improve evidence-based teaching aligned with standards. The Elementary team and site leaders are going on “Learning Walks” at each school this year. These collaborative learning walks will focus on student learning, building strong and meaningful relationships with our teachers and staff, and guiding our decisions for continued professional learning support.  The Secondary schools are concentrating on rigorous standards-based lessons for all students, known as High-Quality Tier 1 Instruction. They are working with the implementation of UDL - Universal Design for Learning in classes, which helps teachers learn how to ensure they meet the needs of all learners, such as visual, auditory, spatial, and more. The secondary schools will also be working on a plan to implement Learning Walks to continue improving teaching and learning for every child. Welcome Orientation for New Emergent Multilingual Families Our Equity & Multilingual Services department hosted the first Welcome Orientation for Newcomer Families. Newcomers are students in our District who recently arrived from another country and along with their families, are acclimating to the American school system, the English language and culture. Dr. Martinez, Director of Equity & Multilingual Services and Janina Martinez, Family Engagement Unit Liaison facilitated a learning session for parents to begin to understand how the American system is structured. They included topics such as understanding the school calendar, the importance and implications of good attendance and how to leverage Back to School Night and Open House events as those are all elements of the school system that would be new to a family new to the United States.   Family Classes SB Unified has partnered with Daybreak Health, What is LOVE, and Aha! to offer free family classes as part of our Family Engagement Wednesday series.  The topics support student mental health, social emotional wellness, and modifying behavior.  Upcoming Classes: Boundaries & Discipline  (Presented by:  Aha!)  - November 1, 6-7:15pm  WEBINAR LINK What is the new dating landscape?  (Presented by What is lOVE) - November 8, 6- 7:15pm  WEBINAR LINK . (Meeting ID: 848 1604 1585, Passcode: 833292) Identify Unhealthy Relationship Behavior Before the Crisis  (Presented by  What is lOVE ) - November 29, 6-7:15pm Emotional Intelligence  (Presented by:  Aha!)  - December 6, 6-7:15pm  WEBINAR LINK Practice How to Start Conversations with Your Kids Around Consent  (Presented by  What is lOVE ) - December 13, 6-7:15pm Understanding Youth Behavioral Changes  (Presented by  Daybreak)  - January 17, 6-7 pm  REGISTER HERE Family Trainings - November 2023 Santa Barbara County SELPA November 14, 2023, 12-1 PM,  Why do our children throw tantrums? , ZOOM Registration: bhelt@sbcselpa.org  (805) 683-1424 Alpha Resource Family Empowerment Center - Santa Barbara  November 14, 2023,  The Right Questions During IEP Meetings , ZOOM Registration:  gherrera@alphasb.org   Special Education Advisory Committee The Santa Barbara Unified School District encourages parents of students with IEPs to partner   with the district to enhance district-wide special education programs. In 2009, the district created   the  Staff Special Education Parent Advisory Committee   (SSEPAC). In 2023, it was renamed  to the  Special Education Advisory Committee   (SEAC) The purpose of SEAC is to share information between the district’s special education   department and parent representatives from each school site; to create a forum for parent   representatives in order to provide input regarding special education policies and procedures; to   provide an opportunity for parent representatives from each school site to collaborate; and to  establish communication between parents, school sites, and district administration.  Next SEAC Meeting - November 28, 2023 6 PM-7:30 PM SEAC District Representatives (2023-2024):  Mayra Oseguera (bilingual), SBHS Parent,  mayra2_oseguera@hotmail.com   Dena Davis, SBHS Parent,   denadavis67@yahoo.com Franky Viveros (bilingual), Special Education Liaison,  fviveroa@sbunified.org  ( 805)721-6468 Dr. Karla Curry, Special Education Director,   kvcurry@sbunified   (805) 963-4338 x6211  Our Students Need you! Become a Teacher Leader at UCSB's Teacher Education Program Have you thought about getting your teaching credential? UCSB recently received a grant that might help you pursue that goal.  Full Funding Available! Ask about our Teacher Residency Implementation Project (TRIP Grant)  $38,750 per teacher candidate, with approximately 30 awards per year.  Primary consideration for applicants pursuing a credential in a high-need field and/or will diversify the Santa Barbara County teaching workforce. Attend an Information Meeting: Wednesday, November 8, 2023;  5:00 - 6:30 pm;  Zoom Register here !   This info meeting will focus specifically on our  Education Specialist Credential  options Other dates and times  available  on our website Learn more: Check out our website   Sign up for our newsletter Email us at  tepapp@education.ucsb.ed

    Thursday, Nov 02 2023

  • College & Career Readiness

    Dear SBUSD Students and Families, We're thrilled to present this edition of our newsletter, packed with important updates and opportunities to enrich your journey. As we embrace the Fall and dive into the college and career planning process , I want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible efforts of our dedicated College and Career Team. Key updates include: FAFSA and California Dream ACT, Fall College Visits, College Fair Night and Grade Level Tips. As always, we encourage you to actively participate in the college and career planning process. Your engagement is key to maximizing the opportunities available to you. Feel free to reach out if you have specific questions —we're here to support you on your educational journey. Here's to a vibrant and productive October! Julissa Garcia, M.Ed. College and Career Readiness Coordinator

    Wednesday, Oct 11 2023

  • Climate/Culture Survey

    Family News   |  October 6,  2023     Important Dates October 10- Board of Trustees Meeting October 16- Professional Development Day (No School) October 21- Family Empowerment Conference October 24- Board of Trustees Meeting   Superintendent's Message   Dear families, Fall is one of my favorite seasons of the year. Many high school students are learning about college options and preparing their applications. We encourage and cheer on all students to continue their education beyond high school and choose a college or career pathway that allows them to become productive citizens.  We recognize that as the weather changes, colds, flu and COVID may arise.  It is important to maintain healthy habits and ensure children continue to attend school.  Every Child Award This year, we are honoring the teachers and staff who epitomize the call for action and make our vision to serve  “Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day”  come alive.  At last week’s Board of Education meeting, the following honorees were announced:  Kimberly Sheriff Brown- Washington Elementary Roberta Ortega- Santa Barbara Community Academy Katia Rodriguez Mester- Cleveland Elementary Chris Jones- Dos Pueblos High School Morelia Sanchez-Flores- McKinley Elementary Alma Regalado- La Colina Junior High School Karen Reyes- Harding Elementary Carolyn Ross- Goleta Valley Junior High School Valeria Padilla- Roosevelt Elementary Elementary Library Technicians You can see the  slides here . Please join us in congratulating these honorees.  Tech Use Committee SBunified will be holding our first Tech Use Committee (TUC) meeting on  October 25, 2023 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm  in the district office board room .  This year, we will also include a  virtual option  for all participants. In addition to tech use, screen time, and online safety, the committee will focus our work on the following efforts: Student and Family Digital Citizenship/Parent Education Professional Development/Curriculum Integration Artificial Intelligence Please mark your calendars for this year’s TUC dates below: October 25, 2023 January 24, 2024 March 20, 2024 May 22, 2024 Family & Community Empowerment Conference Special Education Advisory Committee Meeting Dates  (2023-2024) September 27, 2023 6-7:30 pm In-Person/Zoom  SB Unified Board Room November 28, 2023 6-7:30 pm In-Person/Zoom SB Unified Board Room January 23, 2024  6-7:30 pm  In-Person/Zoom SB Unified Board Room March 19, 2024 6-7:30 pm In-Person/Zoom SB Unified Board Room May 21, 2024 6-7:30 pm In-Person/Zoom Location TBD  Special Education  The Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) is looking for school site representatives for the 2023-2024 school year. If you are interested in serving as a SEAC Representative or know someone who might be interested, please contact Franky Viveros at  fviveros@sbunified.org . 

    Friday, Oct 06 2023

  • No School/ District Office Closed Monday, September 25

    Family News   |  September 20,  2023     Important Dates September 21- DEMLAC Meeting September 25- Board Holiday (All Schools and District Office Closed) September 26- Board Meeting October 10- Board Meeting October 16- Professional Development Day (No Class For Students)   No School/ District Office Closed Monday, September 25  All Schools along with the District Office will be closed on Monday, September 25th. We look forward to seeing everyone return Tuesday, September 26th.   Reminder: Free Family Education Webinar tonight: Mental Health 101 It can be hard to understand what your child might be going through. Join this free webinar with Santa Barbara Unified and a clinical expert from Daybreak Health to learn about youth mental health, including: understanding what mental health means & why it matters  learning about risk factors and warning signs of mental health challenges  learning coping skills and strategies to help promote mental wellness in your child  Q&A with a licensed clinician  The class will be held in English with Spanish interpretation available.  Click here to register .   Family & Community Empowerment Conference Please join Santa Barbara Unified, in partnership with the City of Santa Barbara, for our first Family & Community Empowerment Conference on October 21, 2023 at La Cumbre Junior High School, from 10am to 2pm.  There will be English and Spanish workshops on wellness, college/career readiness, new elementary English Language Arts curriculum, district efforts and more.  Additionally, there will be community resources available with information about local programs and services.   Click here  to register.     Music Program Offered The BRAVO! music program is set to resume at Adams, Franklin, Monroe, Roosevelt, SBCA, and Washington elementaries beginning the week of Oct 2, 2023. This wonderful activity supplements the school music programs by adding one to two additional music lessons each week – free of charge! To learn more,  click here . Oversight Committee Addressing Hateful, Biased, Anti-Blackness Language and Actions On Thursday, August 31, a selection panel reviewed 60 applications submitted by parents, staff, and community members to apply for the Oversight Committee. The selection panel consisted of a high school student, classified staff member, certificated staff member, school administrator,  district administrator, parent, and community member.  This committee was formed based on a recommendation from the Insight Racial Climate Survey conducted last school year. Using a rubric to assist with their ranking, the panel reviewed their top choices and selected the following applicants to be part of the Oversight Committee: 2 parents of elementary students, 2 parents of secondary students, 3 SB Unified staff (1 ES, 1 JHS, 1 HS).   Members of the committee were selected based on: Commitment to equity and anti-racism Ensuring a diversity of perspectives Past experiences in related initiatives Encounters with bias or racism Collaborative spirit Effective Communication Engagement with School Community Conflict resolution skills Solution-oriented mindset Demonstrated time commitment to the Committee's cause The committee members selected were: Elementary Parents Michelle Petty Grue Briana Serrato Secondary Parents Kemba Lawrence Teresa Martinez Staff Raquel Frausto - Elementary School Kareem Battle - Junior High School Artnelson Concordia - Senior High School Roles and responsibilities of Committee Members include using data to monitor its effectiveness, prioritizing transparent communication and foster collaboration, reviewing and providing recommendations to combat systemic bias, racism, and anti-Blackness within the school district, engaging with the community to understand and relay concerns, overseeing equity-focused school programs, and ensuring relevant training for staff and education for students. The first Oversight Committee meeting was last week and will happen again in November, January, March and May. Board Reports will happen on their work on the following dates: September 26, 2023 October 24, 2023 November 14, 2023 December 12, 2023 February 2024 April 2024 June 2024 We thank everyone who volunteered to take part in this committee and look forward to seeing how they aid in the improvement of the climate and culture at SB Unified. On-Time, All Day, Every Day School Attendance  Opportunities to Learn More about Climate and Culture Survey for Students In order to learn more about student experiences at school, we will be asking for your child’s feedback via an online survey they will be completing at school. The survey shouldn’t take more than 20-30 minutes to complete. The survey will ask students to reflect on their self-management, social awareness, emotional regulation, positive feelings, challenging feelings, supportive relationships, teacher-student relationships,  sense of belonging, school safety, school climate, engagement, rigorous expectation, and equity & inclusion. Students in grades 3-12 will take the survey. The survey window is September 26-October 13, 2023.  The following are virtual thirty-minute Q&A opportunities for families to learn more about the climate and culture survey: 9/21 at 5pm, 9/22 at 12pm and 5pm, 9/26 at 12pm, 9/27 at 6pm, and 9/28 at 1pm and 6pm.   Click here  to join any session at the select date and time.   Technology Use Committee SBUnified is pleased to reengage with the Technology Use Committee this year on important technology initiatives throughout the district. Last year, this group led many projects that enhanced technology use, online safety, and digital citizenship. We aim to bring the same positive momentum into the new school year. If you are interested in being a part of this committee, please take a moment to complete the form below to allow us to better align our efforts toward the focus of the group and the greatest needs of our students and teachers. TUC Meeting Survey (2023-2024) Every Child Award As part of this Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day push, we are unveiling the “Every Child Award “ tonight. Chosen by principals and cabinet members, this honor highlights our teachers and staff who are going above and beyond in these efforts. Tuesday night we announced four honorees at our Board of Education meeting: Chris Gallagher- Adams Elementary Luisa Figueroa- Monroe Elementary Robert Thomas- Santa Barbara Junior High Delanie Medina- San Marcos High School You can see the slides presented at the  Board Meeting here . Hispanic Heritage Month We’re celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in Santa Barbara Unified and across the country over the next month. A resolution was approved by the Board of Trustees at Tuesday night’s meeting. You can  read it here . It celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. As the first Latina superintendent at SB Unified and an immigrant from Mexico, this celebration of our cultural heritage means a lot to me. It is vital that we celebrate the significant contributions Latinx people have made in fields such as education, government, science, law, medicine, entertainment, literature, sports, and military.  Latinx students also represent over 60 percent of the District’s population, enriching the educational experience of all students and staff.  As we make sure every student is heard, felt, and seen, uplifting all cultures is vital to our work in the District.  The District celebrates and builds upon the strengths and funds of knowledge that Latinx students and staff bring to school, including cultural perspectives, lived experiences, practices, and languages. Further, the District supports the sustainment of heritage language and teaching practices that mirror our Latinx students' lived experiences and customs.

    Wednesday, Sep 20 2023

  • Youth Mental Health Webinars

    Family News   |  September 6,  2023     Important Dates September 12- School Board Meeting September 21- DEMLAC General Meeting September 25- No School; District Office and Campuses Closed September 27- Tech Use Committee   Youth Mental Health Webinars SB Unified has partnered with Daybreak Health to hold classes for families and staff focused on supporting youth mental health. Facilitated by a clinical expert from Daybreak, these free virtual webinars will cover the following topics: Mental Health 101, Supporting Youth with Trauma & Traumatic Experiences, Understanding Changes in Your Child's Behavior, Healthy Relationships, Guiding Your Child Through Depression, and LGBTQ+ Support for Families.  Here is the information for the first webinar in September: Mental Health 101 - Wednesday, September 20th,  6-7 pm    REGISTER HERE Superintendent's Message Students at Dos Pueblos, San Marcos, and Santa Barbara High Schools earned academic honors from the  College Board National Recognition Programs . These programs celebrate students' hard work in high school and showcase their strong academic performance. The academic honors for rural area, Black, Indigenous, and/or Latino students are an  opportunity for students to share their strong academic achievements with colleges and scholarship programs that are seeking to recruit diverse talent.  At Santa Barbara Unified, the following students were honored: Dos Pueblos High School San Marcos High School Santa Barbara High School Anthony Garcia- NHRA Camila Martinez- NHRA Addison Sweeney- NIA Cristopher Geiler- NHRA Katherine Garnica Patino- NHRA David Benavidez- NHRA Itzel Cruz Meza- NHRA Mason Rice- NHRA Francisco Valladares- NHRA Joel Madrigal- NHRA Megan Taylor- NIA Michael Denver- NHRA John Hayward- NHRA Noelle Cabrera- NHRA Nancy Patino Arreguin- NHRA Mia Penate (currently attending San Marcos HS)- NHRA Award Key: National Hispanic Recognition Award (NHRA) National Indigenous Award (NIA) We are very proud of our students and their achievements. Their effort and commitment to excellence in academics is to be commended and recognized as part of the rigor and high expectations that we know all students deserve and can achieve. Si se puede! We also want to thank the parents and teachers who partner to ensure students are supported in their efforts. Parent Training to Support Students with Disabilities  As we embark on the 2023-2024 school year, we are excited to announce a series of virtual parent training sessions from Santa Barbara County SELPA and Alpha Resource Center focused on supporting students with disabilities. These sessions aim to empower you with valuable information, strategies, and resources to ensure your child's best possible educational experience.  Date September 13, 2023 5-7 pm September 26, 2023 3:00-4:30 pm September 28, 2023 5-7 pm Subject Turning Three Presenters: Megan Davy & Gema Herrera  Join us to learn about the transition from Early Start services to school-based services.  Dyslexia and the Learning Brain Presenter: Dr. Maria Luisa Gorno Tempini, UC San Francisco, Dyslexia Center California Dyslexia Initiative Expert Webinar Series presents a study of Reading Difficulties and strategies for working with students with Dyslexia. Collaborate with participants on the content presented in the webinar. IEP Basics  Presenters: Meghan Davy & Gema Herrera  Learn about the basics of the IEP (Individualized Education Plan) process and how to participate in meetings in a productive and meaningful way. Registration Registration:  HTTPS://US02WEB.ZOOM.US/MEETING/REGISTER/TZCUCUUVQTMUHNQMM7DO1SDOQEQXFSUWOEIV Registration: https://sbcselpa.k12oms.org *If you do not have an OMS Account, please start an account by adding your personal information into the system. Registration:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMpduurrjwqHdXapabpcdBKcn9LcYQD7zEb Contact Meghan Davy (805) 252-4044 - English or Gema Herrera (805) 971-1381 - Spanish  Jennifer Connolly  jconnolly@sbcselpa.org   or Brian Helt  bhelt@sbcselpa.org Meghan Davy (805) 252-4044 - English or Gema Herrera (805) 971-1381 - Spanish  Technology Resources Reminder This school year, Educational Technology Services (ETS) launched two new digital safety offerings to our student families. The new  Online safety hub  is full of online safety tips, app reviews, and more. In addition to our safety hub, our new parent app,  Qustodio , will allow parents to monitor student screen time and set limits on websites, apps, and more. For technical support, please visit our  Tech Support Portal  for the latest resources and help with all SBUSD technology. If you have questions about our 1:1 techEQUITY program, please view our  techEQUITY Access Plan  to learn more. To contact ETS technical support directly, please call us at (805) 696-2700 or email  support@sbunified.org .

    Wednesday, Sep 06 2023

  • College & Career Readiness

    On behalf of the College & Career Center staff at each high school, we want to welcome you to the 2023-2024 Academic year. A special welcome to our incoming Class of 2027! Whether you're exploring potential colleges, considering career paths, or seeking advice on how to achieve your goals, we are here to provide you with the information and resources you need. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, concerns, or even just want to chat about your plans. We encourage you to stay connected with us, as we'll be sharing valuable insights, events, and opportunities that can shape your future. Best regards, Julissa Garcia M.Ed. Coordinator of College & Career Readiness

    Thursday, Aug 31 2023