<html><head></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium;"><b>Letter from Co-Superintendents</b><br></span></div><div class="gmail_quote"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font><span>Dear
Families of High School Students,</span></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font><span>This
is a great time for the Berkeley Public Schools despite the challenges to
public education, and we are excited to be leading them for a number of reasons,
including the following:</span></font></span></p>
<ul><li><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font><span><span style="font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal"></span></span><span>The highest quality teachers and staff come to Berkeley to teach and work.<span> </span>(They stay because of the students, their families,
and colleagues, the positive work environment, and our commitment to educate
the whole child.)</span></font></span></li></ul>
<ul><li><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font><span><span style="font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal"></span></span><span>Our school principals and administrators are skilled instructional
leaders and managers who help make our job easier.</span></font></span></li></ul>
<ul><li><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font><span><span style="font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal"></span></span><span>Students and families in every school are engaged in their school’s
success whether it’s building a welcoming community, focusing on academics, or
having courageous conversations about change.</span></font></span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font><span><span style="font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal"> </span></span><span>We are not in this alone.<span> </span>We
have an unprecedented commitment from all corners of Berkeley to the <i>2020 Vision</i> that demands equitable achievement
outcomes for all students regardless of race or ethnicity - and we are making
progress.</span></font></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font><span>Last
year we committed to improving communications to you, striving to make
information more easily accessible so you are better informed about our
programs and services that help your children succeed.<span> </span>We have worked on improving our customer
service and on quicker response times to your questions and concerns. Our
website and biweekly email newsletters are also intended to give you regular
updates.</span></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font><span>This
year we are focusing our energies on furthering the momentum of the last few
years by:</span></font></span></p>
<ul><li><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font><span><span style="font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal"></span></span><span>Making the transition to the use of the new national K-12 Common Core
Standards that raise the bar of student achievement at every grade level so
students are college and career ready when they complete high school.</span></font></span></li></ul>
<ul><li><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font><span><span style="font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal"></span></span><span>Utilizing strategies, such as explicit instruction in academic
language, targeted intervention services, and student engagement to improve
attendance, in order to accelerate the performance of students who have not demonstrated
grade level proficiency and ensure all students succeed.</span></font></span></li></ul>
<ul><li><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font><span><span style="font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal"></span></span><span>Examining instructional practices in mathematics and collaborating on
common assessments to inform teaching and learning.</span></font></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font><span>As
you are aware, budgets are very tight and future funding projections for our
schools are difficult to make at this time.<span>
</span>We will know more about the budget situation ahead after the November
6th election when voters will weigh in on a guaranteed increase in funding
streams for our public schools under Propositions 30 and 38.</span></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font><span>It
is an honor for us to be serving as Co-Superintendents for this school year, and
we intend to further our district’s mission of excellence, equity, engagement,
and enrichment in every Berkeley school during our tenure. <span> </span>Please let us know how we are doing along the
way.</span></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font><span>Sincerely,</span></font></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; "> </span></p><div><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font><span> </span></font></span><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font><span>Javetta
Cleveland<span> </span>Neil
Smith</span></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font><span>Co-Superintendent<span> </span>Co-Superintendent</span></font></span></p></div><div><div class="gmail_quote"><span class="HOEnZb"><font color="#888888"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#000000" face="Arial"><br></font>-- </font></span><br>Jana Jandra<br>Executive Assistant<br>Office of the Superintendent<br><a href="tel:510-644-6206" value="+15106446206" target="_blank">510-644-6206</a><br>
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