You're going to see as soon as we finish this an amazing presentation from Carlos and our parents on the parent ambassador program. And so when our parents come to our district, they're they're at the table helping to make decisions with us. Um, so they are doing incredible work and I think when they speak to other parents in their feed our elementary districts because a lot of our families have siblings at the elementary schools it becomes a natural transition to our district. Um, you know like our PLA's etc. Um, as as you heard from Mr. Hoshi, our dual enrollment programs are incredible. We are the first public school district in the country to offer Google certifications for not just our students but also for our families. So that is the equivalent of a bachelor's degree. And so the fact that that's being integrated into the school day, our students are getting opportunities that they just don't get in other districts.
It is not a time to fingerpoint. It is a time for us to find a way to start healing. as a district. Um um working towards a budget or working towards um a contract is never an easy journey, but it is never done out of malice. I hope it is not out of malice, but I do hope that we will find that common ground as a district to be able to um see each other on the road and be kind with our words because in the final analysis when this is all done, we'll still be who we are. And I'm hoping that who we are will not cause the other person to see you walking across the street and then cross the street just because you're coming. Thank you so much. I'm sorry. So, after the past several weeks, I've had the opportunity to attend several events across our district, and each one was a reminder of the incredible things happening in our schools every day.
Um, so, so those are just a couple of examples. I would put our athletic program, which by the way, Savannah is winning right now in the in the second round of the state championship. They're not they haven't won yet. They haven't won yet, but they're winning and they're playing the number one seed. We have our BAPUP programs, which I would say are second to none uh in this in this district. So, the opportunities are incredible. in addition to our pathways right which are not the traditional culinary which we have as well but we're talking about artificial intelligence cyber security the nano biotechnology we're talking about the medical pathways the art there's so many things that we are offering to support our students and give them a unique opportunity that again we're declining at a lesser rate and we are finding less and less of our kids are wanting to leave >> and our pledge they have opportunities when they leave us with tuition covered supports at the University of Cal State Fullerton UC Irvine Cypress Florida College that school other students going to the schools don't get because they're part of our articulated agreement and guaranteed promises that we've all made to one another >> as an example >> and we're expanding um that into our Fullerton College uh as well uh adding more and more to our pathways.
I had the pleasure of visiting the solo and ensemble festival at Phoenix Academy where students showcase their musical talents before a panel of judges. Um they and performing individually takes courage, preparation and dedication. Um and our students really rose to that occasion. I want to thank the teachers who work tirelessly to provide these opportunities and help students develop both confidence and skill through the arts. And on a Saturday at Apple Valley High School, I attended the annual Buff and Tough competition which was fun and energetic and it brought them together. It was kind of fun to see them playing volleyball and you could tell that was not their usual sport because they would like sometimes grab the ball and like try to hold it like a football and then it would be like they would realize what they had done wrong. Um, but it was great to see students supporting one another, showing school pride and participating in an event that strengthens connections across the campus.
I just interviewed a student uh for the um RO program and he has his FAA license >> and he has started a business and he's not even 18 years old. >> Correct. >> Yeah. We have our droning pathway which I didn't mention the game design pathway tell our esports is legit in our district. So there's so many things that we have for students. All walks of life have opportunities and access here. So, just as as uh Leah said, we we're John is doing a fantastic job. Uh every weekend there's some highlights of what's happening. There's always a million things going on all week, but there is a wonderful highlights video that comes out. Check out the the the website. Uh you know, there's a lot going on in our schools and you know, with the parents here, um you know, advocating for our VAPA. I mean, there's so many things going on.
I also had the opportunity to attend the CIF championship game for Granite Hills boys soccer team. Competing at that level is an incredible accomplishment and the team represented their school and our district with determination, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Congratulations to the players, coaches, and families who support them. Another highlight was visiting Vanguard for Read Across America. Seeing students excited about reading is always inspiring for an English teacher like myself. Events like this remind us how important it is to foster curiosity and a lifelong love of learning in our students. And I was also excited because um the classroom that I got to read to happened to be um it's a the teacher that was there that day. um it's a job share, but she um she used to babysit my kids when they were much much little littleer and uh was also the gymnastics teacher. So, that was kind of fun to bring that full circle.
It's word of mouth from you. Um, and I'm also here, uh, glad that you're here. I know you're here for a different reason, but I'm so glad you're here. Could you expand, um, on our why it's really important for our students to come to school every day? Just briefly expand on why it's important for attendance. >> Well, yeah, showing up matters. I mean, that's a skill, right? I mean, you think about the world of work. You know, you don't get paid if you don't show up for work. So we want our students to develop good habits but for our district right in not in terms of showing up is not just about the learning that is obviously the priority but we get what's called ADA or average daily attendance. So when a student is not in school and it could be one of those things a student doesn't come to school because they have a doctor's appointment the district doesn't get the money and remember the money that we receive for students covers the services the programs the supports that we have in place to support our students.
I also want to acknowledge the work that's gone into reaching the tenative agreement with our certificated bargaining unit. Negotiations are rarely simple as Miss Apara was expressing, but I appreciate the commitment from everyone involved to continue working towards solutions that allowed our district to move forward together and remain focused on supporting students and staff. As we move towards spring break later this month, I want to wish our students, staff, and families a restful and welldeserved break. The work that happens in our classrooms and across our campuses each day is significant and I hope everyone has the opportunity to recharge before we head into the final stretch of the school year. Thank you to all of our teachers, staff, administrators, and families for the role that you play in supporting our students and strengthening our school community. Thank you, Superintendent Nelson. I'm going to start with the end of the week in mind.
So that ADA is a critical aspect of what we do each and every day as a district. And so, um, yeah, we want to build good habits for kids because we know when they're here, they learn. Um, and in our district, we're trying hard to make learning relevant and meaningful where it's not just teaching and memorizing dates and equations, but it's really about the application of of content knowledge, which is why the skills, the 5C's, our drivers are so important because that's what the world of work demands. And so, we have found that because of our approach, students are more engaged. I mean, I our students did an amazing job speaking tonight. Just shows the talent and the brilliance they bring to our schools. And so as we continue to build upon their assets and their strengths, um schools are a place that we we find students really want to be at because they're thriving.
Um, we know that next week we will be um over at Granite Hills High School celebrating field day with our special needs students and encourage everybody that has not had an opportunity to participate in that to be there. Uh, student advisories have been going on and we met with our Granite Hills High School students this morning, Apple Valley High School students on Tuesday. I'm always in awe of what the adi advisories accomplish. Um they start out building the capacity and by the end of the um year they have identified the goals that they want to work on with the staff and um what outcomes and measurable um objectives they can they can reach. I also was able to attend the importance of being earnest. It probably is one of my favorite plays that I've attended and it's hard for me to say that because there's been so many amazing ones.
>> Thank you. One more question. Sorry. Uh uh on the uh COLA increase for special ed funding. Yes. Um we received a I received a report um at my GULPA meeting and I was under the impression it was only um 100 mil. Um the 602 funding. Uh there's something that they were talking about funding us at 999 correct versus 1,032. >> Right. So the our our estimate is um from because currently we are receiving 919 that's our the AB 602. So this is separate than the cola. >> So it's a separate uh one. So we're getting >> it's in addition >> in addition, right? So that's what we're um reading. So this is a separate pot. So the regular BA the we're getting the cola already on special ed but we're also going to get this other increase as part of the AB 602. >> Okay.
Um, but just the delivery of it, the play setting, all of it was just amazing. Um, I too was at ReadAcross America at Vanguard, Sitting Bull Academy, and Phoenix Academy and got to read a lot of uh different books. Uh, all of the Dr. Seuss books, so they were all tongue twisters. And um when I got to Phoenix, I had five classrooms to read to. So I picked a different book for each classroom and we had a great time. Um for those of you that are familiar with the arts program that is going on over at um Phoenix Academy, um teacher uh Gloria, many of you have been to her classroom, does an amazing job with students. And this year we have um two students that won the well were recognized in the contest for assemblyman Tom Lackey. Kaden Day is an eighth grader and took third place in that contest.
>> Right. So our calculation um Karen was checking on that because we're going from 917.53 to 999. So that's a difference and then we that that's additional portion. >> Okay. >> So that's what we are the information that we got so far and I don't think Zela has released. No they haven't. So we we had to do our own estimate at this point. Okay. Good news all around. >> Yes. Yes. But we didn't budget for it yet. So just Yeah. So we just want to >> Yes. You're being conservative. >> Yes. We were told not to budget for that piece right now. Just is too much uncertainty right now. >> Okay. >> Mhm. >> Thank you, Nancy. Yeah. All my questions were answered already. So >> perfect. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND UM SPEAKING OF PARENT ENGAGEMENT, we will transition to our next presentation, 9.3 parent ambassador program.
And um Alcazana Ala Alazana Riotti seventh grade took first place in the sixth through 8th grade category but first place overall in the entire art contest. So, she will have her art displayed in the Assemblyman's office um through this month. Normally, it would be displayed in the Capitol, but because they're doing renovations this year, um it goes to the Assemblyman's office. So, I her you may be able to see her drawing in the future, um it's two beautiful peacocks with some flowers, and it's just amazing the the talent that she has. Um Granite Hills High School took second in Chopped. I was there for their um presentation. The teachers were not allowed to be in the room with them, which was new this year. Um they have always had um surprise ingredients that they have to put into the uh to their um culinary outcome.
And I will defer to Miss Amy Quan to introduce our presenters. I am pleased to introduce our executive director Carlos Hernandez of culture and engagement who will do a presentation on the parent ambassadors program. The parent ambassadors program is one of many strategies that we employ to engage our parents um as part of our LCAP goal number two commitment in um prepar engaging with our with our parents and community in in support of our whole child approach. So, Carlos Hernandez. >> That's right. Thank you very much. Good evening, uh, board, cabinet, and community members. Uh, it is my honor to really introduce and get out of the way um to hear from those that set conditions to create some amazing experiences for our families. Uh, as as Amy mentioned, LCAP goal number two. We're talking about how this comes to life around family engagement through the parent ambassador, one of the systems in structures that exists u that started at Savannah.
And this year they had three and they could choose from it, but one team chose frog legs, which was one of the um ingredients. and I was there for their presentation which was amazing. It was not Granite Hills High School that did it nor did that team win and I would say that what they what they showed was amaz like the way they produced it and um displayed it was great. But Granite taking second and Chopped was wonderful to watch and I was in the room when they presented but I wouldn't tell their teachers that I was there because they wanted to know who did what and how they did. Um you heard about Skills USA. We are sending almost 200 students between our high schools and our middle grade students that are um able. And then finally, um Melinda Bazada, who's an employee at Apple Valley Adult Education, who's also a graduate of the Apple Valley Adult Education School and the Victor Valley College.
And you'll hear from Maria Trujillo, our family communication specialist at Savannah High School, and Karen Ortega from Oxford Academy, our family communication specialist there. And and you have some amazing parents here that you're going to hear from as well. And I hope you have lots of questions for them. I'm going to get out of the way. Let's do it. >> Thank you for the introduction. I like Okay, I'm going to read from my cheat sheet because if not, I will ramble on. So, as uh Mr. Hernandez said, I'm Trilly. I'm the family and community engagement specialist at Savannah High School and I have my amazing partner here. My name is Karen Ortega. I'm the faces over at Oxford Academy. And here in the crowd, we also again want to shout out our parent ambassadors who are here present. So, if you're a parent ambassador from any site, Savannah, Oxford, you're here from Lexington, please stand up.
You've heard her name before because she has been recognized by um our regional area, but she has received the CCAE state excellence and support services for classified. Um being a state award, it's something to be acknowledged and I just wanted to make sure that the board was aware of that. Thank you. >> All right. from California School Employees Association, CSEA, JC Scott. >> Hi guys. I know I'm a big talker, but not public speaking. So, good evening. My name is Shalon Bryant, political action coordinator for Apple. I know my voice is already quiet and it sounds quieter. I probably just talked too quiet. Oh, okay. There we go. Good evening. My name is Shalon Bryant, political action coordinator for Apple Valley Chapter 828 and PACE representative for area F. On behalf of chapter president Scott, the California School Employees Association, and the classified employees we represent, I want to take a moment to clearly state our commitment as we move forward in discussions regarding potential reductions in force.
We want to give you a BIG SHOUT OUT. SO AGAIN, WE'RE SUPER excited to uh be here and share the work that we've been doing that we've been developing um at Savannah for gosh, Dr. Frereda was there. He was my principal um back in 2014. So I know we don't have a lot of time. We actually worked really hard to time it 10 minutes. No more than 10 minutes. So, we want to make sure that we that we talk about our background, origins of our program, our current momentum, what we're doing right now, and what our vision as a district, we want to do, we want to continue to do with our parent ambassadors moving forward. Okay. So, where we started, sorry, Karen, I don't want to There we go. This way. So we started back in 2014 um back when Mr. Cologne was was my principal at um Savannah High School.
CSEA is fully committed to negotiations in in good faith. We understand that the district is facing financial challenges and we recognize that the difficult con decisions sometimes have to be made. Our goal is not to create conflict or obstacles. Our goal is to engage in a process that is collaborative, transparent, and respectful of the collection bargaining relationship. We are committed to good faith negotiations and to coming to the table with genuine willingness to communicate, to listen, and to work through complex issues together. We are committed to exchange information openly, discussing impacts honestly, and considering solutions that address the district's needs while also protecting the employees who serve our schools every day. Classified employees are an essential part of the education system. They are the people who keep campuses safe, support instruction, maintain facilities, and ensure that our schools function day in and day out. Because of that, any decision that affects their employment deserves thoughtful discussion and a meaningful bargaining process.