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March 21, 2023: Spring 2023 Update
Dear Students, Families and Educators:
We are about halfway through the Spring Semester with Spring Recess just around the corner from March 27-31. I want to express my gratitude to our San Mateo Union High School District Community for their support in serving our students and their achievements. I am continually amazed by the teamwork in this District between our students, educators, family members and community members. I tell our staff members frequently that ALL of our staff are educators in service to our students. They have all chosen a career in education and we all, no matter what our role, impact the lives of our students. This is a privilege, and I am grateful to be a part of this team and in service to our community.
Spotlight on Student Learning
In my December message to the community, I introduced our District’s Spotlight on Student Learning - our District’s intention to shine a light on both the progress we are making and areas we need to improve. Since then we’ve highlighted the number of students on track for graduation; student discipline and attendance; our instructional leadership initiative; first semester highlights and professional learning for our educators. Learn more about our successes and areas for growth by visiting our website.Community Celebrations and Observances
Celebrations and observances are so important to the fabric of our community. They are a time when families gather together to reflect on the tenets and values they hold dear. As a District we honor the many ways the members of our community come together in celebration and observance.
Women’s History Month
March is Women’s History Month. In February, our Board adopted a National Women’s History Month proclamation which was drafted with student input. I want to share a special thank you to all of the women in our District who make up 60 percent of the SMUHSD workforce and 48 percent of the student body. The women in our District (both educators and students) exhibit such strength and resolve. I am exceptionally grateful for their guidance, support, patience, wisdom and grace.
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (D.D.A.M.). D.D.A.M. is observed throughout March as a nationwide event to raise acceptance for the inclusion of all people with developmental disabilities and to continue to address the barriers that exist for these individuals. Our Board of Trustees adopted a proclamation to recognize D.D.A.M. at their March 9 meeting.
Ramadan Begins March 23
March 23 marks the first day of Ramadan - a holy month of worship observed by Muslims around the world. It is a month that exemplifies the Islamic values of gratitude, strengthening bonds of kinship, spirituality, and maximizing acts of charity. Muslim staff and students in our classrooms will be fasting from dawn to sunset from Thursday, March 23 through Friday, April 21, with the three celebratory days of Eid al-Fitr starting on Saturday, April 22.
Cesar Chavez Day is March 31
Born near Yuma, Arizona in 1927, Cesar Chavez and his family moved to California after losing their home during the Great Depression. Toiling in the fields from a young age, Chavez faced dismal working conditions, racism, abuse and exploitation. Moved to confront these injustices, he began working as an organizer in the farmworker community, advocating for improvements in their working and living conditions. Cesar Chavez empowered thousands to stand together for their rights and led our nation toward a more equitable and just society. I look forward to sharing a proclamation with our Board at their March 23 meeting to recognize this day.
Passover Begins April 5
Passover (also known as Pesach) has been an integral part of the Jewish faith for centuries, as a celebration of when the Jewish people were freed from slavery in Egypt. In the Biblical story of their escape, the Jews were spared by the Angel of Death after they marked their doorways with lamb's blood. The celebration begins on the 15th day of Nisan in the Hebrew calendar, which coincides with a full moon. In 2023, Passover begins at sundown on April 5 and lasts until the evening of Thursday, April 13.
Easter is April 9
Easter is a Christian festival and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day of his burial following his crucifixion c. 30 AD. Easter is preceded by Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance. This year, Easter is Sunday, April 9.
Around the DistrictArt Show
The District Office hosted an Art Exhibit the week of February 27 featuring the artwork of extraordinarily talented art students from Burlingame, Capuchino, Hillsdale, Mills and San Mateo High Schools. The exhibit was open to the public and a number of classes visited the District Office to view the work of their fellow students.
Career Expo
Hundreds of students and their families turned out at the District’s third Career Expo on March 14. Attendees had access to numerous employers, and learned about career paths and opportunities they may not have considered before. This year they could participate in hands-on activities in the automotive, cosmetology and trade industries for example. It is extremely important to give our students exposure to alternative pathways in addition to a four year university after graduation. This event helped our young people to gain knowledge about the many career opportunities available to them in the Bay Area.
Board Study Sessions
A Board Study Session is a public meeting that gives our educators an opportunity to share their knowledge about a particular topic with the Board of Trustees and members of the public. On March 15, we hosted a Study Session on Ethnic Studies - where presenters provided the board with the background of the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum and the associated legislationthat makes Ethnic Studies a high school graduation requirement. The main presentation was provided by San Mateo Union High School District educators, with representatives from each of the comprehensive schools. The educators provided an overview of the District’s 9th grade Ethnic Studies curriculum. There was also an opportunity for public comment and Board Discussion. You can learn more about this topic by reading the full board report or watching the session recording.
Upcoming Study Session topics include:
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US History Course of Study - April 13 - 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
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District Budget - April 27 - 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
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Staff Housing - September - date to be decided
Construction Updates
The District celebrated the completion of construction of Mills High School's new Sports Complex at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 16. Attendees were among the first to see the school’s new baseball, soccer, softball and multi-purpose fields and new tennis courts.The District looks forward to celebrating the beginning of construction of new gymnasiums at San Mateo High on May 16 and Burlingame High on May 17. Both events will be held at 4 p.m., and we invite the community to join us.
The San Mateo Union High School District wishes to extend its gratitude to the voters and taxpayers of our District for their support of Measure L - a $385 million general obligation bond to make improvements to facilities across the District.
Let’s keep in touch
Sincerely,
Randall Booker
Superintendent -
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October 19: Support Programs and Resources Available for SMUHSD Students
Wellness Counselors offer a safe space at school where any student can receive confidential and nonjudgmental socio-emotional support. Students can learn positive, lifelong habits that contribute to their well-being and success.
Your site Wellness Team provides individual, group and/or drop-in support as needed.
To access Wellness services, please visit during drop-in hours, schedule an appointment or connect with your school counselor.
To learn more about our District mental health services, community resources, upcoming events and more, please visit our District website.
In addition, we currently facilitate several unique offerings through our Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE) Program to support students and families. Below is a highlight of our innovative programs facilitated by our exceptional TUPE Mental Health Therapist Team.
For more information, visit www.smuhsd.org/tupe or please contact:
Dr. Jessamy Cadigan, TUPE Mental Health Therapist
jcadigan@smuhsd.org
650-558-2264Our continued commitment to bring the highest level of equity and comprehensive mental health care and preventive programs to our students, families, staff, and communities at large drives our continued development of our TUPE Services.
TUPE Programs
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Vaping Awareness Prevention and Education (VAPE): small group sessions in an effort to increase our students’ knowledge surrounding the harmfulness of vaping and to empower conversation to support awareness about nicotine use.
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Substance Use Program (SUP): this group provides the opportunity to enhance critical thinking, inform decision making, raise awareness and foster ambivalence towards substance use. This program is unique in that it offers a family night with multiple families together to discuss the tricky terrain of supporting our teens with their choices around substance use.
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Alternatives to Suspension (ATS) - Traditional: ATS is a strength based group utilizing restorative justice practices, allowing students to turn their suspension into an opportunity for learning and growth. Students will Increase their awareness of causes for suspension, improve decision-making skills, identify supportive school staff to encourage a supportive re-entry to campus, and receive tobacco and other substance use education and intervention.
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Alternatives to Suspension (ATS) - Cyberbullying and Media Awareness: This group provides the space for students to examine their technology use and how it affects their lives as well as the lives of others; it includes discussion of cyberbullying and how to prevent it/address it, social media etiquette, internet safety, and digital citizenship.
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Alternative to Suspension (ATS) - Consent and Healthy Relationships: Our Healthy Relationships and Consent Program is designed to support students around challenges such as communication, physical and emotional safety, consent, empathy and respect. The sessions will include scheduled activities giving your student the opportunity to talk about the disciplinary incident that caused the suspension and reflect on their engagement in school and plans for their future.
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Brief Intervention (BI): This counseling intervention is for students identified with low level substance abuse, a short history of drug use, ambivalence about changing their drug use, and experiencing few problems with their drug use. Two - Three brief one-on-one sessions via Zoom or in person will be scheduled based on student’s availability, with options for additional sessions and an optional, encouraged parent session.
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Parent Connect - District Wide: A virtual parent support group for parent/caregiver(s) of teens who are experiencing difficulties with attendance, behavior, vaping, cannabis & other substance use, and/or COVID-19 related stressors. We offer these parent groups every 6-8 weeks in both English and Spanish respectively. These groups are successfully facilitated via Zoom.
School Site Wellness Teams
September 29: State Officials Issue Warning About “Rainbow Fentanyl”
Dear Students and Families:
State health officials have cautioned school leaders about a new and concerning version of the synthetic opioid known as fentanyl.
Last week, the California Department of Public Health issued an alert about “rainbow fentanyl,” a potentially fatal drug that comes in a variety of forms and bright colors. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has similarly noted that rainbow fentanyl looks like candy, which could be a way to attract children and young people.Emergency department visits related to non-fatal opioid overdoses in California's youth ages 10-19 years more than tripled from 2018 (379 total) to 2020 (1,222 total). Opioid-related overdose deaths in California's youth ages 10-19 years increased from 2018 (54 total) to 2020 (274 total), marking a 407 percent increase over two years, largely driven by fentanyl. Fentanyl-related overdose deaths in California's youth ages 10-19 years increased from 2018 (36 total) to 2020 (261 total), a 625 percent increase.
“Rainbow fentanyl can be found in many forms, including pills, powder and blocks that can resemble sidewalk chalk or candy,” said Dr. Aragón, the state’s public health officer. “Any pill, regardless of its color, shape or size, that does not come from a health care provider or pharmacist can contain fentanyl and can be deadly.” A picture of rainbow fentanyl is included.
In August, the DEA and its law enforcement partners seized brightly colored fentanyl, including pills, in 18 states. The federal agency says anyone who encounters fentanyl in any form should not handle it and should call 911 immediately.
Students who believe they have encountered fentanyl on one of our campuses should alert an adult on campus, right away. Students and parents/guardians can also make an Anonymous Alert to make an anonymous report of any type at any time. Possession of, being under the influence and/or sale of controlled substances are suspendable and expellable offenses. Safety of our students and our campuses is paramount to us.
Now is a good time to talk with your teen about substance use. The District has support programs available to our students. Learn more by visiting our website. Students may also use their school’s Wellness Program services if they are experiencing distress for any reason. Our wellness counselors are skilled at supporting our students facing social and emotional challenges. Students can learn more about these services by visiting our Mental Health and Wellness webpage.
Thank you for all that you do to support student health and safety in our school communities.
Sincerely,
Sara Devaney, M.S.
Health Services ManagerSeptember 15-October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month
Dear Students and Families:
At their August 25 meeting, our Board of Trustees adopted a proclamation recognizing September 15-October 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month. As I shared with the Board that evening, the month is recognized by numerous federal and state institutions to pay tribute to the generations of Latino/Latina/LatinX Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988.
The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico, Chile and Belize celebrate their independence days on September 16, 18 and 21 respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, (which is celebrated on October 12 in many Latin American countries in lieu of Columbus Day) falls within this 30 day period. To many Día de la Raza represents a time to teach respect, dignity and the inclusion of all people. The holiday serves to remind all people throughout the Americas about the history and challenges faced by indigenous peoples.
While it is our District’s intention to honor, celebrate and lift up our Latino/Latina/LatinX community members, we know that holidays and celebrations can sometimes be complicated and fraught with emotion. For example, we know that words matter, and that to many the word Hispanic is offensive for a few reasons. State and federal government agencies have historically used it as a blanket term when we know our population is more nuanced and complex. It also propagates the legacy of colonization in the parts of the world where many of our students come from. We want to recognize and celebrate this month as we feel that as a District, it is important to celebrate the heritage of our Latino/Latina/LatinX community, and so we used the term Latino in the body of the proclamation as this term is preferred in our District.
Please join me in celebrating the rich heritage of the Latino/Latina/LatinX members of our community not just starting September 15 but all year long. Our diverse heritage makes for a better experience for us all.
Sincerely,
Randall Booker
Superintendent -
