The Horizon
August 2023
Welcome back, everyone. The 2023-24 school year begins Wednesday, August 9 and we are excited about all the possibilities that lie ahead.
As we shared with you last year, we have developed a comprehensive Vision for the Future strategic plan to ensure educational success and support for all students. This year, we will highlight how we are actively implementing these goals with our Vision in Action campaign. We will share examples of how we are carrying out this work in this newsletter, on our website, and on our social media channels.
One key change we are making this year is to include full-day TK/K programs at all district elementary schools. Research shows that participation in full-day TK/K programs prepares students for future success.
We also will focus on literacy and encourage our families to join in this effort. This month’s newsletter highlights the creative and engaging ways our JUSD teachers are working to ensure Literacy Without Limits for our students. Look for special literacy-themed activities and events throughout this coming school year.
Finally, we want to remind you how important it is for students to attend school each day. As few as two missed days a month can have an extremely negative impact on your child’s success and may even prevent them from graduating on time. If your family is experiencing challenges, please call your child’s school. We are here to help. Thank you for your support and engagement in your child’s education. Let’s make this a great year!
LEAP writing workshops help students find their voice
A summer of writing may not be what all kids have in mind, but teachers in JUSD’s LEAP (Learning Engages All Possibilities) program used their creativity and love of literacy to help students expand their skills.
Natalia Montano, an incoming sixth-grader, already loved to tell stories thanks to lessons from her grandmother, but LEAP helped her develop as a writer. “Before I would just do a couple sentences,” said Natalia. “But now… I can write and write and [won’t] lose focus.”
STEM activities support LEAP literacy efforts
This summer, excitement buzzed in a Sunnyslope Elementary class as students cheered on their peers racing model sailboats. Participants blew through straws to push their sailboats across the tub of water to the finish line.
The activity was inspired by Where the Wild Things Are, one of many classic stories studied in the “Storybook Creations” LEAP (Learning Engages All Possibilities) class. “The goal is just to get them to explore and be creative,” said Itzel Alanis, teacher.
JUSD Transportation staff member recognized
While operating the machinery that lifts school buses high enough for inspection, JUSD's Daniel Loza said, “I'm working on the same buses that I rode to school every day. It brings me joy to be able to work on them and see the younger generations take those same buses.”
Mr. Loza’s commitment to his job led the heavy-duty mechanic/service coordinator to be one of 10 “Garage Star” 2023 finalists for the national publication, School Transportation News.
