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Superintendent Newsletter

January 2025

SuperintendentNewsletterJanuary 2025

STEM Career Events

The Blach and Egan STEM Career events, held this month, provided junior high students with immersive exposure to STEM professions. During their science classes, students had the opportunity to engage with various field professionals, gaining firsthand insights into diverse career paths through interactive sessions.


The events culminated in an evening program featuring keynote speakers who shared their personal STEM journeys and discussed current industry challenges. A significant focus was placed on AI's growing influence and the adaptability of STEM backgrounds. The speakers emphasized that STEM extends beyond programming, centering on developing problem-solving mindsets—from identifying ecosystems and recognizing patterns to optimizing efficiency and iterating solutions. This approach aligns with the 6 C's: Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, Citizenship, and Character, all underpinned by perseverance and passion.


Building on this momentum, elementary schools across the district will host STEM Expo events throughout February and March. These expos will begin at Santa Rita on February 26th and conclude at Covington and Gardner on March 26th. Through both the secondary and elementary programs, students are gaining broader perspectives on STEM careers and developing the innovative thinking skills necessary to navigate and shape the future.

Teacher Spotlight - Bringing the LASD Student Experience to Life

Debbie Longo, a 6th-grade teacher at Loyola Elementary School, is part of a small cohort of teachers digging into the updated math framework, which emphasizes the importance of students engaging with complex and real-world mathematical problems. She prioritizes student talk in her math class every day by providing students with open tasks to grapple with to develop conceptual understanding. In her classroom, she carefully develops and sequences questions, setting students up to tackle complex yet open tasks, where students can engage with the math and one another as they explore new content, make connections, and develop an understanding of the big ideas of mathematics that span all grade levels. Through careful facilitation, students engage in high-quality math discourse, making meaning together each day.

Educator Housing Update

We have held three informational sessions for our staff, one in-person and two virtual, all of which were well attended, demonstrating a strong interest in this valuable employee benefit. Eligible LASD educators will have the opportunity to apply for 24 available rental units, with staff members moving in this Summer. In the expensive Silicon Valley region, where housing costs can be prohibitive, this type of local staff housing is crucial for attracting and retaining valuable employees. By providing affordable housing options, the district can compete for top talent and ensure that our educators can live closer to where they work, reducing commute times and improving their overall quality of life. This, in turn, benefits our students and the entire community. The lottery application is currently open until March 6, 2025 at 5pm. More information can be found at: https://www.231grant.org/

Los Altos School District