Community Newsletter - January 2018

South Bay Union School District

Community Newsletter

January 2018

Superintendent's Message

Dear South Bay Parents/Guardians and Community Members,

On January 10, Governor Brown released the State budget proposal, which is typically revised in May. The proposal includes full investment in the Local Control Funding Formula (LCCF) two years ahead of schedule. While the Governor is high profile in celebrating this success, it is important to know that the full implementation of the LCFF target means that we have only returned to the budget of 2007, just prior to the recession. Additionally, the modest revenue increases with the full implementation of LCFF have been completely eroded (and then some) by rapidly increasing costs for health care, pensions, transportation and utilities. Lastly, we have been informed that federal Title funds will be greatly reduced. In other words, we still won't experience returning completely to the financial situation we were in eleven years ago.

The reality for school districts in California is that full funding of LCFF is simply not what our students deserve. California has the sixth largest economy in the world, and the largest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of any state in the nation, yet California ranks 45th nationally in the percentage of taxable income spent on education, 41st in per-pupil funding, 45th in pupil-teacher ratios, and 48th in pupil-staff ratios. California funds schools at roughly $1,961 per student less than the national average, which translates to approximately $3,462 per student when adjusted for California being a high-cost state; and California trails the average of the top 10 states by almost $7,000 in per-pupil funding.

We have serious legislative advocacy work to do to provide adequacy of funding for education in California. To that end, at their meeting on January 18, the Board of Trustees adopted a Resolution calling for Full and Fair Funding of California's Public Schools. They urged the State Legislature to fund California public schools at the national average or higher by the year 2020, and at a level that is equal to or above the average of the top 10 states nationally by 2025 and to maintain, at a minimum, this level of funding until otherwise decreed.

Thank you to our Trustees for their ongoing support of public education and their work on behalf of the South Bay community. Please join me in championing this effort to support our students!

Sincerely,

Katie McNamara

Katie McNamara, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Wellness

Influenza

This is the time of year when many people in our community become ill with influenza, also called "flu." The flu is widespread earlier and more severe this year in San Diego and throughout the nation. The flu is not just a bad cold. Although the symptoms may be similar to colds and other respiratory illnesses, flu can make people very ill. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, severe muscle or body aches, shaking chills, headache, and fatigue. Children may also have nausea and vomiting with the flu. The very young and very old are most vulnerable to serious flu illness. Often, when school-age children become ill, they bring home the virus to other family members, including young infants and grandparents.

The best way to protect yourself and your family from flu is to get vaccinated. It is not too late for this season! Everyone in your family who is 6 months and older is recommended to get the flu vaccine. Vaccine is available at your medical home, community health centers, public health centers, and retail pharmacies. For a list of locations, visit here or call 2-1-1.

Here are some additional ways you and your children can help prevent the spread of flu:

Wash your hands thoroughly and often (click here to see a handwashing video for kids and adults).
Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your arm.
Keep your children home from school when they are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth whenever possible.

Even if your child has had the flu vaccine, if your child has symptoms of the flu, it is important to seek medical attention. A child with influenza should not attend school until at least 24 hours after fever ends or your provider indicates that the child is no longer contagious to others.

Help your children stay healthy in school by getting them vaccinated for flu. You can learn more about the flu and how to prevent it by going to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Flu Information for Parents website here.

Nutrition

Healthy Celebrations

Children love celebrations, and parties are a great opportunity for them to enjoy new and exciting foods. Party food for kids can be colorful, fun, and healthy; however, children's parties have more commonly become synonymous with sugary and processed foods. Follow these tips to provide a healthy and delicious celebration:

Choose nutritious time-saving foods such as air popped popcorn - you can distribute popcorn bags for the kids to decorate! Whole grain tortilla chips with salsa or guacamole, or whole wheat pita bread with hummus, are also easy and fun.
Toss together a simple trail mix made with whole grain cereal, pretzels, mini dark chocolate drops, and dried fruits for an energizing mix.
Make it fun! Presentation is everything when serving nutritious party foods for kids. Try cutting finger foods such as mini sandwiches or fruits into fun shapes using cookie cutters. Another idea is to cut small pieces of different fruits and put them on a stick, like a rainbow fruit Kebab.
Build a colorful fruit and vegetable tray. Aim for a variety of colors and textures - this ensures kids are getting a wide range of nutrients. Serve with a low-fat ranch or yogurt dip.
Other options include dark chocolate dipped strawberries or bananas, granola bars, apple slices with honey, squeezable yogurt or apple sauce, and pure fruit popsicles.
Don't forget to serve a hydrating drink. Instead of soda or other sweetened beverages, serve 100% fruit juice, or try infusing water with fresh fruit, such as strawberries, oranges or lemons.

With these tips, you can make the next celebration an opportunity to teach your child that eating healthy can be fun - and delicious.

School Highlight - Imperial Beach Charter

On Friday, January 12, Imperial Beach Charter School hosted a Rachel's Challenge assembly for middle school students. Rachel's Challenge is a non-profit organization that works to equip and inspire individuals to replace acts of violence, bullying, and negativity with acts of respect, kindness, and compassion. Rachel's Challenge is based on the life and writings of Rachel Joy Scott, who was the first victim of the Columbine school shootings in 1999. Through her example, Rachel's Challenge is making a positive impact in the lives of millions of people every year. Her father established the organization to perpetuate his daughter's example and the Code of Ethics she wrote a month before her death, which includes the words, "Compassion is the greatest form of love humans have to offer."

IB Charter staff are working with students on specific curriculum and are helping students organize a student-led group for the campus. The school plans to continue their partnership with Rachel's Challenge.

School Highlight - Sunnyslope

Congratulations to Sunnyslope student, Hector Yescas , who was selected as the Colonel Candidate for the San Diego Police Department Southern Division. Hector is a Fifth Grade student at Sunnyslope and serves as the school's Safety Patrol Captain.

As part of the competition, Hector wrote an essay, completed an interview, and demonstrated outstanding leadership skills. He spent the day with the SDPD Juvenile Services Team and represented Sunnyslope School with pride. Kudos to Major Hector Yescas!

Optimist Oratorical

Information and Timelines

The Optimist Club of Imperial Beach is once again sponsoring their annual Oratorical Contest for students. The Optimist International program is an opportunity for students to gain experience in public speaking and compete for college scholarships. The topic this year is, "Where are my roots of optimism?"