Hello Berryessa Community, 

I hope you are enjoying the start of Fall! We are pleased to share valuable information that promotes the health and safety of our BUSD family in this newsletter.  

This month is International Walk to School Month, when students around the world celebrate the benefits of walking and wheeling to school. We are excited to launch important initiatives that promote physical activity and safe routes to school, while also reducing our carbon footprint. 

It is also National Bullying Prevention Month, a fantastic opportunity to reflect on how we each play a role in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where all students feel safe and happy. Kindness, acceptance, and inclusion matter at BUSD!  

Thank you all for your efforts to help our students thrive in a safe, positive

environment. 

Sincerely, 

Dr. Roxane Fuentes 

Superintendent

We are proud to join schools all over the world in the celebration of International Walk to School Day! But it is not just one day of activities reinforcing the benefits of walking or wheeling to school. We are committed to expanding awareness and promoting safety in our community. That is why we are participating in the Slow Down Campaign, supported by the City of San José. Vision Zero San José is working hard to make our streets safer for drivers, and people who walk, skate, scooter, and bike. On October 18, we will kick off this campaign with an event at Vinci Park! 

Did you know that Berryessa is a Walk & Roll school district? We encourage walking or biking to school on Wednesdays and following the best safety practices including: 

• Being aware of your surroundings all the time. 
• Being incredibly careful when crossing the street. 
• Avoiding distractions like using a phone or other technology. 
• Slowing down. 
• Paying attention to one another, pedestrians, and drivers.  
• Following the speed limit.  
• Leaving early to give yourself plenty of time to arrive at your destination.  

We ask BUSD families to make a pledge about safety below. As a fun incentive, the City will hold a monthly drawing based on pledge submissions. We can make our streets safer for everyone! 

Congratulations to BUSD teacher Michele Huesties from Sierramont Middle School. She has been recognized as one of the three 2023 RAFT STEAM Teachers of the Year! This award is provided by Resource Area For Teaching (RAFT) and honors educators that have gone above and beyond in making sure students have engaging lessons, use hands-on learning, and help develop 21st century skills such as resilience, creativity, and critical thinking. Thank you for your dedication to our students and for your passion for STEAM learning! 

Watch the video below to hear the inspiring stories of the RAFT 2023 awardees.

In celebration of Latino Heritage Month, Assemblymember Alex Lee honored Latino community leaders alongside co-host Alameda County District 2 Supervisor Elisa Márquez, and Leticia Garcia, kindergarten teacher at Brooktree Elementary is one of the recognized leaders. “During this month, we come together to celebrate the rich histories, cultures, contributions, and achievements of the Latino community,” Lee said. “The hard work and dedication of Latino individuals is imprinted in every corner of our community and California. It is my honor to recognize the leaders of Assembly District 24 whose work is an inspiration for all of us.” 

As a bilingual teacher, Leticia Garcia helps Brooktree’s young students of immigrant families and Latino backgrounds gain a sense of belonging at school. Her collaborative approach extends beyond the classroom. She is often translating for families and helping them with their needs in the Brooktree community. Demonstrating an unwavering commitment to student development, her emphasis on social-emotional learning has helped students build self-confidence, empathy, and strong interpersonal skills. Congratulations and thank you for your dedication!

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and we are committed to providing resources to support the mental health and wellbeing of our community members. BUSD has a strong support system, and we are determined to provide our students with a variety of academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support to ensure everyone feels safe and included at school. 

Through the implementation of a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) and Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS), our students are matched with the resources they need to become successful life-long learners. MTSS and PBIS are the frameworks we use to engage students in their thinking and learning, ensuring that students feel a sense of belonging and connectedness to their school and community. 

If your child needs assistance with their academic, social-emotional, or behavioral well-being, please contact your school to get connected with one of the supports we have available. We have a wide variety of staff who are ready to help your child and family, and you will be connected with additional resources to meet your student’s needs.  

You can also contact Mr. Thomas Carroll, our Coordinator of Student Services

(tcarroll@busd.net or 408-923-1905), who can assist you with accessing the

available resources at your school. 

We also encourage you to learn about the many programs available to our community by visiting the BUSD Health and Wellness page, including Care Solace.  

This fun event with fee full-size Halloween pumpkins is back!

If you would like to learn more about our BUSD budget, here are some resources: 

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.