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