An East San Jose classroom reaching nearly 90 degrees—and a deafening silence from administrators to keep it in working order—is the latest example of underinvestment and inequities in one of the city’s most vulnerable neighborhoods. A classroom at Renaissance Academy at Fischer Middle School, located at 1720 Hopkins Drive in San Jose, became unbearable this past...
Education
Education
A new high school is coming to downtown San Jose
A Los Gatos high school is expanding into downtown San Jose, breathing new life into two historic buildings. Hillbrook School, an 87-year-old private school, is leasing the Moir Building, located at 227 N. First Street, and San Jose Armory, located at 240 N. Second Street, for at least 25 years. The move allows the Junior...
San Jose classroom becomes too hot to handle
Outdated systems and equipment have impacted learning for some San Jose students. In some classrooms at Renaissance Academy at Fischer Middle School, temperatures have reached 88 degrees due to faulty air conditioning. In response, teacher Luvia Solis has to take her class outside, along with their desks and chairs. All school year I have been dealing...
Santa Clara County school ballot measures set to pass in all districts
Last updated 5 p.m. on Monday. The next update will be 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Santa Clara County voters are supporting education, with more than $24 million in parcel taxes and bonds heading toward approval following Tuesday’s primary election. With 94% of the vote tallied, the school ballot measures are all passing, including Fremont School...
Election 2022: Santa Clara County schools bank on voters to help students
There are four school district ballot measures coming before Santa Clara County voters in the June 7 primary election. Even though senior exemptions will be available and funds will not be used for administrative salaries, it will take either 55% or two-thirds voter approval for these various measures to pass. If the thresholds are not...
Silicon Valley homeless students could see guaranteed income
A state bill from a Silicon Valley legislator could bring hope and help to homeless high school students. Introduced by state Sen. Dave Cortese, Senate Bill 1341 provides $50 million to $75 million in aid to homeless youth. The bill aims to uplift about 15,000 high school seniors with guaranteed income of $1,000 per month for...
San Jose State students demand protection after sex abuse scandal
Holding signs saying, “Justice delayed is justice denied,” “Hire Title IX Staff Now” and “Justice for Survivors,” San Jose State University students are protesting for a safer campus. Students Against Sexual Assault are demanding the university’s Title IX office be fully staffed, more transparent and accountable after a federal investigation found the office lacking. Title...
FIRST 5 CEO works to support Silicon Valley children
A new CEO aims to bring expertise in whole-child-thinking to FIRST 5 Santa Clara County. Jennifer Kelleher Cloyd, 49, brings her experience as chief program officer and attorney at the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley to the youth-focused organization. She takes the helm from former longtime CEO Jolene Smith, who retired in 2021. FIRST 5...
San Jose State student housing protest turns into unexpected win
“Fight! Fight! Fight! Housing is a human right,” and “No more loans, give students homes,” shouted members of the Student Homeless Alliance as they marched across the San Jose State University campus on Wednesday. They stopped at places used by homeless students to shower or sleep, when something extraordinary happened. SJSU Interim President Dr. Stephen...
San Jose’s Cesar Chavez school shifts focus to early learning
For some East San Jose elementary students, next year will mean moving to another nearby school. The Alum Rock Union School District board of trustees voted unanimously on Thursday to turn Cesar Chavez Elementary School into an early learning center for children in preschool through kindergarten next year. Students in grades 1-5 will have to...