Dear neighbors, 

As we head into the weekend, I’m still in awe of how San José turned out for our first SJ26 celebrations. Whether you enjoyed a drone show or one of our concerts at City Hall, partied at San Pedro SuperFest, or celebrated San José at the State of the City, last weekend was unforgettable. It was wonderful to see so many of our neighbors enjoying the festivities in addition to everyone visiting for the Big Game.

However, last weekend was also marked by violence, with shootings on Friday and Saturday night marring what was otherwise a great weekend to be downtown. In light of this, I’m prioritizing how we can improve on late night safety as we prepare for more events this year – but also in general, because it’s not just visitors that deserve a safe downtown.

With that in mind, we’re already preparing for March Madness! Music Mania, our first-ever multi-genre music festival, is coming to SoFA for three days of concerts kicking off on March 27. From heavy-hitting bass to global pop and chart-topping country, there’ll be something for everyone. Click here and use code DISTRICT3 to get discounted tickets!

Mark your calendars: we’re holding office hours this month. Join us at Roy’s Station on Saturday, February 21 from 1 pm to 3 pm. I’ll be there to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and fill you in with what our office and your city government is doing to serve our District 3 neighbors.

As a reminder, City Hall will be closed on Monday, February 16 for Presidents Day and Tuesday, February 17 for Lunar New Year. We’ll be back in the office on Wednesday, February 18.

Yours in community,

Due to declining enrollment, the SJUSD Board of Education started the Schools of Tomorrow process last fall. In November, SJUSD established a Schools of Tomorrow Implementation Committee (STIC) to develop a recommendation on consolidating existing elementary schools, redrawing attendance boundaries, and/or relocating special programs. 

While the City of San José doesn't have direct jurisdiction over SJUSD schools, including choosing which option SJUSD ultimately moves forward with, we know that any potential school closures will impact families here in District 3. Our office has been monitoring the Schools of Tomorrow process with that in mind and we’ll continue to share information here as it becomes available.

After this week’s meeting, the STIC eliminated one of three proposed options and voted to develop three more options for consideration at their February 24 meeting. Here’s how elementary schools located in District 3 could be impacted by the two options currently on the table:

Option 1:

• Anne Darling would close; current students would move to Empire Gardens
• Lowell would close; Special Day Class (SDC) preschool program would move to Horace Mann, all other students would use map Option A
• Olinder would close; current students would move to Horace Mann

Option 2:

• Empire Gardens would close; current students would move to Anne Darling
• Lowell would close; SDC preschool program would move to Horace Mann, all other students would move to Ernesto Galarza
• Olinder would close; current students would move to Horace Mann

The next Schools of Tomorrow meetings are scheduled for February 24 and March 3 at 6 pm. At the February 24 meeting, the STIC will discuss the newly developed options, the existing options, and may discard options and/or request new options. At the March 3 meeting, the STIC will aim to determine which option to recommend to the Board of Education (the STIC will schedule an additional meeting if necessary). 

Due to the high demand for public comment on these changes, SJUSD is also adding Schools of Tomorrow Public Hearings as Special Sessions of the Board of Education at the district office at the following dates and times: 

Tuesday, February 24: 4:30 pm to 5:45 pm

Tuesday, March 3: 4:30 pm to 5:45 pm 

Saturday, March 7: 9:00 am, no set end time 

I had the pleasure of honoring Rosalinda Aguilar, the President of the Guadalupe Washington Neighborhood Association, as our D3 Community Hero at this year’s State of the City.

In addition to everything she does with GWNA, including organizing regular neighborhood cleanups and hosting one of the biggest National Night Out parties, what sets Rosalinda apart is her dedication to opening doors for anyone who wants help.

Thank you for everything you do for our neighbors in District 3, Rosalinda!

I joined the SJSU King Library to kick off their commemoration of 100 years of Black History Month. But Black history isn’t just something we read about. It’s alive in our neighborhoods, schools, and local organizations. 

The event featured quilts by Khristel Johnson, a retired local educator who combined her love of fiber arts with her desire to share the stories and history of her African ancestors. You can check out more of her phenomenal work at quiltsbykj.com

Welcome to Downtown San José, Toastique! I’m excited to have another healthy, tasty lunch spot to choose from. My team likes to go to lunch together on Wednesdays, and we can’t wait to add Toastique into our rotation. Their spot on San Pedro and Santa Clara is at the heart of action and we are so excited to have you here.

I started my Super Bowl Sunday with a cleanup at Watson Park with Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful. Whether you were cheering for the Seahawks or Patriots — or sitting this one out — teamwork isn’t just for the football field. It’s how we can come together to keep our city and waterways vibrant and beautiful, a win for everyone who calls San José home.

Do you have an event you'd like to share with our D3 neighbors? Send the details to district3@sanjoseca.gov for consideration in our newsletter!