BUSD Community Connections

June 2024

Our monthly newsletter is a great way to learn about the latest news at Berryessa Union School District. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for daily updates and visit our website for calendar and meeting information.

Message from the Superintendent

Dear Berryessa Community, 

  

As another successful school year ends, the BUSD Board of Education and I thank you all

for your support.  From our vibrant multicultural celebrations to the fun movie nights, Back to School nights, awards ceremonies, and STEM events, we've shared countless memorable moments together. These events have not only

enriched but have also strengthened our community.  

  

We are so proud of the perseverance our students have shown, and we are so proud of their achievements this year.   

  

Please join me in congratulating our graduates and wishing them the best of luck in their future endeavors! Remember, even as you move forward, your BUSD roots remain strong. Please stay connected and remember that BUSD is always your family. We are so excited to see what the future has in store!   

  

This summer, we encourage families to visit the local library and dive into some great books! Summer break offers a wonderful opportunity to explore new hobbies and interests. All these activities can expand your knowledge and skills and help you prepare for the upcoming school year.   

  

We look forward to the start of the new school year and the opportunity to reconnect in the fall. Until then, have a fantastic summer and stay safe!  


With BUSD pride,


Dr. Roxane Fuentes

Superintendent

 

Watch a message from Dr. Fuentes

Principal Krista Castillou Recognized at AAPI Heritage Month Event 

Krista Castillou, Principal of Toyon Elementary School, was honored at an event celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Assemblymember Alex Lee and Santa Clara County Board of Education Trustee Victoria Chon hosted the event at Jun Bistro in Milpitas, with special guest Congressman Ro Khanna in attendance. Principal Castillou, along with six other community leaders, was recognized for her contributions to Assembly District 24.

With over 20 years dedicated to supporting teachers, students, and families in Berryessa, Principal Castillou began her career in 1994 as an English language tutor for English learners while in college. Now, as an educational leader for the Berryessa Union School District, she shares her bicultural background and values with the community. Congratulations, Principal Castillou!

Welcoming Dr. Gregory Barnes,

Principal at Piedmont 

We are pleased to announce that on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 the Berryessa Union Board of Education approved the selection of Dr. Greg Barnes as the new Piedmont MS principal for the 2024-25 school year. Dr. Barnes comes to us with a wealth of experience and is looking forward to meeting the Piedmont students, families, and staff.


Dr.Barnes is thrilled to join the BUSD family, seeing this new role as the

fulfillment of long-held promises. With 25 years of experience in public

education, he brings extensive site and district leadership expertise.

Beginning a career as a 7th-grade science teacher, Dr. Barnes quickly

transitioned into site leadership, spending over a decade working with

students, staff, and parents on curriculum development, social-emotional

learning, and initiatives focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.


His district leadership experience has equipped him to address the diverse needs of individual school communities while further pursuing his passions.


"As Principal, I'll work tirelessly to build a community of partners and learners

dedicated to meeting each student's personalized needs," Dr. Barnes

shared. "I'm excited to be part of a community that supports the same

foundations of education as I do, and I look forward to meeting everyone

soon." Welcome, Dr. Barnes, to the BUSD team!

Tech Challenge Awards

Three teams of BUSD students, one team from Northwood, and two teams from Morrill Middle School, received the top award for Outstanding Overall at the 37th Annual Tech Challenge: Cosmic Quest.


This award goes to the top three teams in each division (Grade 4-5, 6, 7-8, and

9-12) with the highest overall scores in performance, engineering design, and

journaling. Congratulations to the three teams: Stellar Explorers, Cosmic Crew and Galactic Girls. We are proud of our students’ effort and achievements! 

Ending the Year with New Traditions

Learning is a fun adventure at BUSD and we’re excited to share how two of our schools have begun new traditions filled with innovative ways to expand our students’ minds.


Laneview Elementary held its first Multicultural Showcase, presented by 2nd and 3rd graders. This student-led event featured several countries, including Mexico, France, Vietnam, China, Korea, India, and more. The students shared interesting facts about different cultures and showcased songs, dances, and theatre.


Throughout the event, they took mindfulness breaks to stay focused and energized. We congratulate Laneview for providing this beautifully genuine and authentic learning opportunity for their community.


Summerdale Elementary also held its first College and Career Day for 4th and 5th grade students, featuring 10 special guests, including our very own Councilmember David Cohen.



The students had the chance to spend time with each speaker and ask questions. One curious student asked Dr. Fuentes, “What did you think you wanted to be when you were in the 4th grade?” The excitement and curiosity expressed by the students made it a thrilling activity for everyone involved. Bravo, Summerdale!

CalKIDS: Savings for Future College and Career 

We are pleased to inform our community about CalKIDS, a program created by the State of California that provides $500 or more to help eligible low-income

public-school students kickstart their savings for future college and career

training expenses. Enrollment in CalKIDS is automatic, and families are not

required to contribute. Your child may already have an account established in

their name. In fact, about 2,903 students across Berryessa Union School

District have a CalKIDS account. That is 46% of our students. But so far, just

6.6 % of them have claimed their account.  


Claiming your child’s college savings account is quick and easy! Visit CalKIDS.org to get started. Please note that you will need your State School i.d. number to find your account on the CalKIDS website. Your school office can help you find that number. Our district is committed to empowering students and families to plan for college and career opportunities! 


Watch this message from Dr. Fuentes to learn more about these initiatives that support the pursuit of higher education.

Fun Summer Programs and Prizes at the San Jose Public Library 

Get ready for a summer of fun, discovery, and learning with the numerous programs offered by the San Jose Public Library. Exciting prizes await, too! Check out these resources to learn more!

Opportunities for Summer Learning at SJPL
Summer Learning Kickoff Event
Graphic Novel Making Contest

Enrollment 

We are excited to welcome new and returning students for the 2024-25 school year. Our enrollment portal is open. Click here to access the enrollment pages. 

Please note that: 

  • Current (2023-24) Tk-7th grade students do not need to re-enroll.  
  • Special Education Pre-School students need to complete a new enrollment application. If you have questions, please contact the Special Education Team

We are looking forward to a wonderful new school year!

2024-2025 School Year Calendar

Watch Our Board Meetings via Live Stream 

Our next Board meeting will be on June 12, 2024.


To better serve you, board meetings are now being live streamed! You can stay informed and watch these meetings from the comfort of your home. Please note that to participate in the meeting or make comments, you must attend in person. 

 

For more information about the BUSD Board Meetings, please click here

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Berryessa Union School District
(408) 923-1800