| The San Jose Schools that make up the San Jose | | | | on "outstanding contributions" to their school system. |
| Unified School District have wide range of needs to | | | | Teachers in the San Jose Schools encourage the |
| provide for. One of the most difficult to get a handle | | | | program because of the difference a strong support |
| on has always been the" at-risk" teen population, with | | | | staff can have on the teacher's ease in doing his or |
| a tendency to drop-out of the system completely. | | | | her job. Other San Jose Schools' Initiatives focus on |
| As San Jose Schools seek the best approaches to | | | | other essential partners in education, the parents. |
| these problems, administrators are casting a wide net | | | | PARENTS ARE TEACHERS TOO |
| in their search for solutions. Among the resources | | | | Part of the strategy of San Joes Schools is to get |
| that the San Jose Schools are tapping are parents, | | | | everyone on the same team. San Jose Schools held |
| support staff and government funding. | | | | an annual parent education conference in March of |
| A CLEAN SCHOOL IS A HAPPY SCHOOL | | | | this year. The San Jose Unified's Office of Parent |
| Ask any teacher who the most important person in a | | | | Education and Involvement & Title I held the day |
| San Jose School is, and she is likely to tell you it's the | | | | long informational meeting. The focus of the program |
| custodian. Teachers have long recognized that the | | | | is to teach parents specific methods to foster |
| support staff, like food service employees, office | | | | success of their San Jose Schools' students. The |
| staff, and maintenance workers, is critical to a | | | | conference provided speakers and topics on subjects |
| well-run school. State Superintendent Jack O'Connell | | | | such as the Importance of Math and Science and |
| acknowledged that when he introduced the California | | | | Emotional Health and Wellness. San Jose Schools |
| State Service Award Program. San Jose Schools' | | | | collaborated with organizations including The National |
| support staff will be eligible for these awards based | | | | Hispanic University and Stanford University. |