District News

At our schools, we believe students should have a voice in making positive changes. One example is how we’re tackling school cleanliness.

In student surveys from 2023 and 2024, many rated school cleanliness lower than expected. To understand why, district administrators invited students to participate in focus groups. Students’ insights were enlightening. They noted common issues like littering in shared spaces, messy bathroom habits, and a lack of awareness about the hard work custodians do each day.

When asked how to improve cleanliness, some students suggested more adult intervention. However, through discussions and empathy interviews with custodians, students realized the importance of taking responsibility for their school environment.

Working together, students and staff developed solutions, including:

• Student-led cleanliness campaigns to promote responsibility
• Incentive programs to align with the schools’ Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS)
• Signage to create awareness and expectations on keeping shared spaces clean
• Acknowledgment and appreciation for custodial staff
• Better maintenance strategies for bathrooms and high-traffic areas

“By giving students a role in solving real problems, we empower them to take responsibility and build pride in their school community,” said Superintendent Shelly Viramontez. “With these new initiatives, we expect to see a cleaner, more respectful environment that benefits everyone.”

Want to support these efforts at home? Encourage your child to take responsibility for their surroundings and appreciate those who help maintain them.

“Student engagement is a phrase being used frequently to ensure students are more than passive learners, rather active participants in their education. We want students to own their learning,” said District Superintendent Shelly Viramontez. “We want to give them a voice in decisions that impact their school experience, foster a sense of ownership, confidence, and engagement in their learning.”

Across our schools, students are stepping into leadership roles, sharing their perspectives, and making meaningful contributions to their school communities. 

Here are a few ways this shift is making a difference.

Superintendent’s Student Council: A quarterly meeting with two student representatives from each school and the Superintendent. The agenda is co-created to allow students to share their perspectives and learn more about the district. This council has been instrumental in providing some improvement ideas. One instance was the suggestion to move from individual packets of condiments to larger dispensers to reduce trash and improve campus cleanliness as students reported these packets being stepped on in the hallways and smeared in the bathrooms. We began piloting this improvement idea earlier this school year.

Creative Problem Solving: During their AIM Innovation sessions and science classes, students regularly engage in creative problem solving and critical thinking learning experiences. Students identify and develop empathy for a challenge at school or in the community, collaborate and design possible solutions, then refine and share their solutions. Many of these learning experiences will be highlighted with the greater community at the annual Arts, Innovation and Music Showcase. Please mark your calendars to come out and see the innovative and creative work of our students.  The AIM Showcase will be held March 20, from 4:30 until 6:30 pm at Monroe Middle School.

Student Focus Groups: Surveys are only one way in which teachers and school administrators obtain feedback from students. The adults conduct focus group sessions with students in order to gain greater understanding of low ratings on the student survey.

In our district, we consistently strive to do better. To continue to improve, we need input from our community. Our annual School Experience Survey is the best way for us to reach the greatest number of parents, guardians, staff and students across the district.

The survey results provide vital information for us to know what's working and what we can improve. What can we celebrate, and what areas need more attention?

The survey is quick, confidential, and necessary feedback for us to make our schools great places to learn and work.

Parents, please look for the survey link in your email, ParentSquare account or posters at your child's school. 

P.S.  Did you miss the Superintendent’s video message last week? Click here.