Welcome Back from February Break Week! These next several weeks are filled with opportunities for students and our parents to more deeply engage in our learning community!

Let’s first take a look back at some exciting progress, followed by noting some important calendar events for the remainder of February and throughout March. I hope that you can join us on our journey of becoming a signature school district in San Benito County.

Barb Dill-Varga, Ed.D., Superintendent

Modular classrooms were delivered to San Juan School site starting on Monday, January 27, 2026. During that week, about 50% of the classrooms were placed on ready foundations. The following modular classroom buildings were placed the week of February 2. In addition a lot of progress is being made on the new stick built Administration Building that will house the principal and his support front office staff, teacher support and work areas and areas for social emotional services for students. 

We have ordered the furniture and these areas will be ready for the Fall of 2026, if not before.  Next school year, the other half of campus will be demolished and rebuilt and that includes a new library, kinder/preschool, and multi-purpose room including a new food service/cafeteria area. So exciting to see the progress!

We convened a District Task Force to learn about and review the board policies for use of Artificial Intelligence in our schools. We have planned three meetings in the District Studio on Feb 5, March 12, and April 16. Meetings start with a light dinner at 5pm and end by 8pm. The Task Force includes teachers, administrators, parents and students.  Here are some quick points to know about AI and our schools.

What is AI? Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to computer tools that can analyze information and generate responses such as text, images, or translations. Many students already encounter AI in everyday technology.

Why are schools addressing AI now? AI is changing how people learn, work, and communicate. Schools have a responsibility to help students understand AI, use it responsibly, and develop skills like critical thinking, creativity, and ethical decision-making.

Will AI replace teachers? No. Teachers remain essential. Learning is built on relationships, guidance, and human connection. AI is only a tool to support learning — not replace educators.

How might AI be used in our schools? When used appropriately, AI may:

• Support accessibility (translation, text-to-speech)

• Help personalize learning

• Provide practice or feedback

• Support creativity and problem-solving

All use is guided by clear expectations and educator oversight.

Can students use AI for homework? Students may not use AI to complete assignments dishonestly or submit AI-generated work as their own. Schools are developing clear guidelines about appropriate and inappropriate use.

How is student privacy protected? Schools must follow state and federal laws that protect student data. Districts carefully review tools before use and prioritize student privacy and safety.

What are the risks of AI? Risks include over-reliance on technology, bias in AI outputs, academic honesty concerns, and unequal access. These risks are why schools are approaching AI thoughtfully.

What does the California Department of Education recommend? The CDE encourages schools to:

• Use AI ethically and responsibly

• Teach students how AI works and its limits

• Protect student data

• Support educators with training

• Keep learning human-centered

You can find many resources on the CDE (California Department of Education) website at: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/pl/aiincalifornia.asp

How can families help?

Families can:

• Talk with children about responsible technology use

• Reinforce honesty and integrity

• Ask questions and stay informed

• Partner with schools as practices evolve

Our goal: To prepare students for a future shaped by technology — while keeping learning safe, ethical, and centered on people.

We will communicate out the results of the task force and any changes to board policy that may occur.

Do you want a say in what is served in our cafeterias?

Join the ASJUSD Nutrition Advisory Committee to share ideas, give feedback, and help improve our student nutrition! This committee meets 3 times a year and is open to parents, students and staff. See flyer below or click the link to access the Parent & Staff Interest Form: https://forms.gle/9ZU3YBYNPfkmJRZg7

We are proud to celebrate the artistic talents of our students at our first annual TK–12 Art Exhibition!

Every student from our preschool and both PreK–8 schools, along with many students from Anzar High School art classes, will have artwork on display. In total, more than 800 student artists will be represented in this exciting showcase of creativity.

Students will take a field trip during the school day to view the exhibition. Families are warmly invited to join us for an evening reception on February 25 from 5:00–7:00 p.m. in the Anzar Library hallway, where you can enjoy the artwork and celebrate our students’ talents together.

We are thrilled to begin this new district tradition of honoring and showcasing the arts in ASJUSD!

Our ASJUSD Grade 8 students are heading into “Shake Season”! On March 4, all 8th-grade students will travel to Anzar High School for the inaugural ANZAR SHAKE, an employability skills competition designed to help students practice the essential skills needed for future college and career success.

This engaging (and yes, a little nerve-racking!) experience gives students the opportunity to practice a firm handshake, strong eye contact, professional conversation, and confident presence while interacting with our industry partners—professionals who may one day serve as future employers or mentors. Industry partners will serve as judges, scoring students using a rubric that evaluates handshake, body language, conversational skills, presence and politeness, and integrity.

The ANZAR SHAKE is part of our broader Career and College Readiness efforts, ensuring students develop meaningful, real-world employability skills beyond the screen. We are grateful to our industry partners who make this powerful learning opportunity possible.

In response to requests from our ELAC parents, ASJUSD is proud to partner with the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) to offer a Family Engagement series this spring.

Beginning Monday, March 9, and continuing for nine consecutive Mondays at 6:00 p.m., families are invited to participate in this free Spanish-language series designed to support student success and strengthen family engagement. Throughout the program, families will explore topics such as supporting academic achievement, understanding academic standards and standardized testing, building relationship skills and accessing resources, fostering social awareness and educational advocacy, and preparing for college and other postsecondary options.

The series will also include a special Principal Dialogue session and conclude with a graduation celebration. Some sessions, including Orientation, Principal Dialogue, and Graduation, will be held in person, while others will be offered virtually. We are excited to provide this meaningful opportunity for our families and look forward to learning and growing together. For more information or to register, please contact Ms. Sara Perez at 831-623-4500 ext 1261.