The Joy of Reading | Kelly Bowers Superintendent

The Joy of Reading by Kelly Bowers Superintendent of Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District

This month we celebrate one of the highlights of education – the joy of reading. Today, students throughout our district will listen to favorite books read by their principals, by Board members, our District leaders, and by City oreading. I encourage you all to pick up a book – hardcover, softcover, or digital – and immerse yourself in the written word.

One of my favorite quotes about reading is by C.S. Lewis, who reminds us, “We read to know we are not alone.” We share this world and its experiences with one another. We walk this journey with one another. Reading lets us step into another individual’s shoes, and, for a moment, step out of ourselves. That experience broadens our understanding of humanity and develops empathy. As our students continue their journey through the Choose Love social emotional curriculum, they are learning the power of compassion in action. I am proud to say that, district-wide, we are cultivating a culture of caring, teaching students to develop empathy for their classmates and community.

The importance of human interaction and relationships is at the core of education. Daily, our educators make a personal connection with each student, valuing each individual’s life and aspirations. The relationships forged between students and teachers, coaches, and counselors can be

lifelong. I salute our staff for their dedication to our students. And I thank our families and community for their ongoing investment in the lives and success of our children.

Warm Regards,

Kelly Bowers, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools

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Our Board Takes a Stand Against Vaping

TUPE peer educator Dario Stewart, one of the presenters to the Board from Granada High, shakes hands with Board Clerk Chuck Rogge

During the Tuesday, February 19, 2019 Board Meeting, our trustees voted unanimously to pass and adopt Resolution 033-18/19, the Student Health Initiative: In Support of Tobacco-free and Vaping-free Schools and Communities. At the meeting, trustees heard from our students and community members of the widespread dangers that vaping devices and ents and families of the dangers of vaping; they call on the community to refrain from marketing and sales of

Read about our Board hearing from the community and adopting the Resolution.

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LVJUSD Celebrates Read Across America Day

Junction Avenue K-8 celebrates Read Across America Day 2018

Today our schools celebrate Read Across America Day with guest readers, costumes, and love for our favorite books. Students have dressed as their favorite book characters, or celebrated Dr. Seuss’s birthday with parties and even a helping of green eggs and ham. Our community loves to read, and we love to share the books that made an impact on us. We hope to continue to ignite a passion for reading in our students and throughout our community.

Spotlight on Our Schools Christensen Middle School

The Science Olympiad Club is in its second year at Christensen Middle School (CMS). Members of this club participate in tournaments in which several schools participate and compete in 23 team events. These events include hands-on group work in various disciplines, such as earth science, chemistry, biology, physics, mechanical engineering, and technology.

This year, 35 students are on Christensen’s team and have participated in the competitions, led by CMS STEM Teacher Drew Kirian. Kirian’s efforts to bring the Science Olympiad to the school last year have resulted in a tremendous opportunity for students and families to engage in the sciences. So far, Kirian and his Club have participated in six invitational tournaments – including one hosted at Christensen – and are headed to the Regional Tournament this Saturday, March 2nd, at CSU East Bay in Hayward.

The tournament held at Christensen this year nearly doubled in size, from 12 teams participating last year to 23.

Established in 1985, the Science Olympiad program has involved schools from every state in the U.S. Kirian worked to bring the program to Christensen to increase interest in STEM-related

interest participate in STEM activities. The competition brings students together, making connections in their school and with like-minded students, from communities near and far.

Students participating in the Science Olympiad Tournament held at Christensen Middle School

Joe Michell K-8

A substantial piece of what makes Joe Michell K-8 an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School is its focus on teaching students to recognize their connection and responsibility to the greater world around them. In that spirit, seven students from Joe Michell – along with two students from Granada High (also an IB School) and one from Amador – are traveling to Germany where they will live with a host family, shadow German students as they attend school, and tour the historic cities of Berlin and Heidelberg.

This cultural exchange program is built under the auspices of the German Fulbright Kommission and, through the directorship of Joe Michell Principal, Dr. Laura Lembo, and Vice Principal Risha Krishna, represents a valuable experience in intercultural understanding and ambassadorship for all involved. The connections made during this trip foster a broader sense of community, both among the peers they will travel alongside, and with those whose country they visit.

The trip to Germany will go beyond the classroom to give students an entirely new perspective from which to consider their role in the world. “To stand on a historic piece of land, and understand the challenges and triumphs that physical space has experienced, is unforgettable,” said Vice Principal Risha Krishna, a former Fulbright traveler herself. “We hope they will be enriched with lessons of compassion, empathy, and cultural understanding. They will carry these lessons throughout their lives.”

On February 2nd, participants of the exchange and families gathered at one student’s home for a potluck, where everyone could meet and learn about the program. It was also a time to begin developing the bond that will unite the travelers in their journey abroad, where they will learn a great deal about each other and themselves as they are immersed in a new cultural point of view. Krishna, along with Joe Michell teachers Mary Fielding and Kate Malson, will chaperone the trip. In April 2020, students from Germany will, in turn, visit Livermore.

Source: https://kellybowerssuperintendent.com/
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