FogHorn Oct. 26, 2017 - Jane Yuster - Vision for CUSD

Posted by Editor: FDBobko

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The FOGHORN

ROTARY CLUB OF HALF MOON BAY

October 26 , 2017

JANE YUSTER - CUSD SUPERINTENDENT

Article by Joe Brennan

Photos by EJ Dieterle

Our speaker was Superintendent Jane Yuster of the Cabrillo Unified School District. She is from the Chemical and Biotech industry and has been 17 years in our community. She moved into Education and in July of 2015 was hired by CUSD.

She opened with a discussion of het State of the District’s theme “Dreams Come True” which is what they are there for.
It is all about providing equal opportunity and they are succeeding because the majority are going on to college, some the first in their families to do so.

The district provides Kindergarten through 12th grade; and of the 2017 graduating Class, 83% went all the way through K - 12 (In recent past it was 90%); 91% are pursuing post secondary school education; 59% completed the University of California’s requirements; 76% feel they are beloved; and 85% are satisfied.

Pilarcitos, the alternative High School graduated its highest number last year under the great guidance of Principal Raj Bachar plus the intense Counseling and support they receive.

Jane showed a photo of a Kindergarten class and asked us what it was? It is class of 2030! How do we handle them along the way of their educational journey? First we have to look at who are we? We are unique in Bay Area - a small town in a rural area with nearby metropolitan influences; a student body and community with a variety of life experiences.

Having a full K to 12 track is unique and wonderful. The District has 330 employees and 3,250 students. It is the second largest district in San Mateo County by land area (eclipsed only by Pescadero).
The geographic diversity can be problematic as exemplified by Kings Mountain School which regularly looses power and phone connectivity.
The Student population is 51% Latino, 41% Caucasian,  2% Asian. 6% Other.  45% are eligible for the free lunch program.

We are future oriented with the $81million Bond S monies providing:
New P
New Gym and Cunha Event Center
New Field At the High School
Phase I at Hatch Elementary getting out of trailers at last…which was a cliff hanger last weekend to be open in time!
Future project will be redoing building A at the high School
They have invested $4million in Tech and have achieved a 1:1 students to devices ratio, but now need a refresh cycle.

TEACH, LEARN, ASSESS is part of the California CAS system.
Data gives snapshots to compare to Benchmarks. Literacy is eht #1 measure
Done at the end of Third Grade, an important milestone.
Up to Third Grade the emphasis is Learn to Read, beyond it is Read to Learn!
Scores have risen from 48% to 53% reading at grade level
Intervention is very important, and they have added a position to address this.
They have also added extended day and year incentives plus full-day Summer School.

Jump Starters program to get through end of 5th year = critical.
Climate on Campus Survey Percentiles: 60th in Grade School and 70th in High School
They are increasing programs giving active voice to kids in running school.
Kindness and empathy training, love, values very important because they are being attacked on the national stage.
Positive intervention in Sports - don’t punish kids for a bad decision.
Restore justice and allow them to move on with their lives after a bad decision; active counseling, surveillance and outreach to parents and community.

Data snap shots:           ’14-’15       ’15/‘16
Attendance               95.6%           96.2%
Suspensions               <3%
Expulsions               <0.1%
Dropouts                   4.7%       3.6%
Graduation Rate           89.3           89.8
Working to improve intervention because there is no excuse to loose kids!

Offer huge variety; Recently added Construction, Agriculture and Broadcasting to the curriculum. They’ve won awards of under represented kids in advanced classes; AVAD

Four Major Values:

- All Students have academic skills for college and jobs - LITERACY!
- Curriculum paced so all can read
- Plan to partner with Parents
- Climate of Welcome and Safety open Campus

The District has lost $750,000 of State Support. The secret is community support of Schools.
Newest program is with San Mateo College system to integrate classes with the goal is to get an AA in five years.
Transportation from ADA monies.

Jane and the District are dedicated to our Children. Jane told this touching story:

A students mother contracted a virulent disease and, confined to hospital, let it be known that her greatest wish was to see her son graduate High School,
So they held a graduation at her bedside to give her closure on her cherished wish.

Moon Ridge programs are good for K to 5 kids. Other cultural programs in the district too; Dance, Fiestas where Parent groups are the key and a Bionus to HMB.

Exchange Students have always been a positive experience @ HMB - thank you, Rotary!

OCTOBER 26, 2017 Meeting Recap

Article by Dwight Wilson

Photos by EJ Dieterle

Warren Barmore opened this meeting as President by stating we are the best club and asked John Evans to lead the club in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Greeters: Ginger Child-Minoletti (Past President) and Joe Brennan, the daily Sergeant of Arms, greeted members today. Inspirational Thought: Joe read an inspiration which stated, “One day your life will flash before your eyes, make sure it is worth watching.”

Visitors and Guests

Liz Schuck introduced Susan Gracie who volunteers at the Thursday dinners that are offered to the community.

Rosi Fontdana introduced Hal Levalie.

John Evans introduced John Drobnick who is a volunteer with Cougar Boosters.

Dave Dixon introduced his wife, Marla.

Raffe, our exchange student, was introduced.

Ann Johnston is here for her husband, Bill.

Happy/Not So Happy News

Mitoni Griffiths talked about missing her youngest daughter who is at middle school camp this week. She also talked about the challenges of having her daughter swim at the Palo Alto Aquatics Club and getting up at 4am to be there.

Stacey Trevenon reported her husband Doug suffered a mild heart attack and had a stent placed. He is doing well and is back to work. She mentioned about the subtle symptoms a person can have when having a heart attack.

Brian Lee reported his bingo night on Tuesday went well and should even more successful next year.

Linda Crose-Andersen picked up the keys to her new home.

John Evans watched his grandson play baseball over the year and ended the day shopping in the City.

Ralph Ely took his bread home from last week and made the best desert of bread pudding. We believe he will share the recipe.

Kevin O’Brien mentioned his son, Mike, went down to Mexico City to show the Pixar film, “Day of the Dead” which had complimentary reviews. He also mentioned the Rotary Foundation Gala was a success and Warren won a $200 raffle prize.

Millie Golder gave the Club a $100 bill for missing the Pumpkin Festival since she was on a cruise to Budapest and Prague.

Announcements

Fliers for Pacifica’s Rotary Bowlathon were distributed. The event is being held on November 5^th (see flier). Mitone Griffiths is leading a group to participate.

Liz Schuck reminded us about the Wine tasting for the Table of Plenty on November 18^th from 5 to 7pm.

Linda Crose-Andersen and Renee Lewis reported we will be hosting a table for the Night of Lights from 6 to 9 p.m. on December 1^st, and we will need members to help staff the booth.

Joe Brennan reminded the members about the Annual Cemetery walk that was occurring this evening at 5 p.m., and the Oddfellows are hosting the Skyline Jazz Band this upcoming Saturday with a suggested donation of $20.

Pres Warren showed a film entitled, “Agents of Polio Eradication.” He passed around the polio jar which netted $160.

Charish McHugh passed around an artistic portrayal of “Rotary and Chamber of the High School” whose goal is to brand this event. This was done by Kelly at Graphic Works. Life Skills would become the new brand name. She received comments from the membership.

Rusty Reilly-Pond announced that Wednesday’s breakfast was a remarkable success with 10 Rotarians participating. Donated food items are always accepted.

Raffe talked about his experience at Homecoming Dance, the football games and of course wind surfing.

Pumpkin Festival by Paul Wrubel

He is very happy about the event and that it is over. He gave recognition certificates to several Rotary members in attendance today.

He brought a pumpkin with a mask to remind us when we are out over the Halloween weekend to not forget our neighbors to the North who may have lost everything.