Roseville Joint Union High School District October 2024 Update
Roseville, Calif. -As we step into the cooler months, and we all get settled into our schedules, there is one thing that has become abundantly clear – nothing in education can beat the positive impact that our people and programs have on the wellbeing of one another.
In our district, we prioritize the importance of educating and supporting the whole student: academically, socially, emotionally. Earning 100% on a quiz is amazing, but also seeing students experience the feeling of camaraderie, kindness, and connection is what truly helps our kids grow and learn.
Laughing Together
On September 30, Oakmont High School hosted a Laughing Together workshop and show for students, families, and community members from across the district, bringing mental health conversations to the table through the art of improv comedy. Laughing Together is an organization that actively monitors the research and various methods that positively impact schools and students. For example, studies show that the arts, especially comedy, offer a low-pressure way to approach mental health discussions. Comedy, in particular, can help reduce anxiety, strengthen group bonds, encourage peer conversations, build resilience to failure, and improve decision-making under stress. Attendees of the workshop enjoyed a casual introduction into discussing mental health and building conversations through laughter, increasing the presence of arts in our schools and amplifying student voices. Thank you to everyone who attended and took home some new tools to discuss mental health in their families!
Supporting teachers
It’s not just events like Laughing Together throughout the school year that help bring students and staff together, but programs such as CTE (Career Technical Education) that engage and guide our students every day. Dedicated staff like Kalina Moore, who serves as the Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment Coordinator at Antelope High School, as well as the CTE Department Chair. Kalina has a vital role in supporting teachers, ensuring they can deliver top-tier instruction, while breaking down barriers that might otherwise prevent students from accessing these programs.
As part of the DELA (Dual Enrollment Leadership Academy) team, Kalina is working to expand the Dual Enrollment program. In her role as CTE Department Chair, she oversees protocols to secure CTEIG funding, teaches biomedical classes, and coordinates biomedical internships-ensuring students gain real-world experience. It is thanks to people and programs like Kalina and CTE that our students gain exposure to local industries and receive opportunities to build their future.
As we head into the holiday season and begin reflecting on what means the most to each of us, I hope you find people and programs throughout RJUHSD that positively impact your students and your family. Here at RJUHSD, we aren’t just about academics – we’re about the whole student.
John Becker, RJUHSD Superintendent
