Liberty Union High School District

Dear LUHSD Community,

As we approach Spring Break, it is important to reflect on the progress and accomplishments we have achieved this quarter. Our dedication to excellence in instruction has led to innovative teaching methods and enhanced student engagement. The success in EL Reclassification highlights the hard work and determination of our English Learners and their educators. In the realm of STEM, we have seen exciting projects and advancements that have sparked curiosity and learning. Meanwhile, our Performing Arts programs have flourished, showcasing the creative talents and commitment of our students and staff. This quarter has truly been a testament to our collective efforts and passion for education.

We will be offering our students the opportunity to take the SAT test locally again at our school sites next week during Spring Break. We currently have more than 230 students signed up. When we return from Spring Break, CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress) testing will be upon us. During this past year, our educators have been working diligently and implementing new strategies in classrooms to better support our students in English, math, and science. We have been purposeful with our interventions and personalized learning plans and are committed to helping all our students achieve their true potential. In this light, it is imperative that every junior student do their best on these assessments. The CAASPP results are used by districts and the state to evaluate the effectiveness of our instructional programs. High performance on these assessments can reflect positively on the school and district, potentially leading to increased funding and resources that benefit all students. All students who score proficient or above will receive a cord to wear at graduation.

Although our student attendance district-wide increased by 5% last quarter, it dropped by about 4% this quarter mainly due to the terrible flu season. Daily attendance is not only directly correlated with increased student achievement, but it is also our primary source of funding. We are funded for each student who attends at least one period per day. Our goal is to reach 95% attendance during April to help offset the decrease in January and February. We appreciate your support in getting your students to school. Regarding the budget, we have fared better than surrounding school districts. We had to reduce approximately $2.4 million due to lower ADA and enrollment and the expiration of one-time monies. Positively, we have been able to do this through attrition and retirements, without any individual layoffs to personnel.

We also recently celebrated a significant milestone for sixty-five of our students who successfully met the state and local requirements for English language fluency for the 2024-25 school year. This reclassification marks their transition to full English proficiency, a remarkable achievement that reflects their hard work and determination. Achieving English fluency is a critical step in ensuring that students can fully

participate in all aspects of their education, opening doors to a wider range of academic opportunities and allowing them to engage more deeply with the curriculum.

Lastly, our students and staff continue to excel in STEM and the Performing Arts. Our schools each put on amazing Spring Musicals, including Shrek at HHS, The Prom at FHS, and Grease at LHS. Each showcased the exceptional talent of our students as well as the dedication and creativity of our educators and community volunteers. Our music programs also continue to excel. In STEM, students from all our sites supported Pioneer Middle School in Brentwood with their first Family STEM night. Within our schools, FHS held the first Trade Show night with more than 28 Trades participating, and LHS has created an amazing partnership with DOW Chemical that has included field trips to the DOW wetlands as well as donations of equipment and glassware. The HHS Robotics team took 1st place in the East Bay Hills Robotics League and was awarded 2nd Place in the Connect Award at the Northern California Championships. The HHS STEAM team will once again be attending the state competition for the Hydrogen Grand Prix this April.

Our students continue to excel, and I am grateful for your support and the dedication of our students and staff. I wish you and your families a restful Spring Break. Your continued support and involvement are what make our schools a vibrant and thriving community. I look forward to an exciting and successful fourth quarter together.

Denise Rugani