Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
San Elijo Elementary and Mission Hills' student programs highlight community, leadership and career pathways
Summary
Student leaders and staff from San Elijo Elementary School and Mission Hills High School presented school highlights March 13, showcasing inclusive practices, student leadership programs and two new Mission Hills initiatives — Mariposa and Raices — that target cultural empowerment and student belonging.
Principals, teachers and student leaders from San Elijo Elementary School and Mission Hills High School presented program spotlights at the March 13 San Marcos Unified board meeting, describing activities intended to boost student engagement, belonging and career pathways.
San Elijo Elementary principal Gary Pope and assistant principal Mara McLeod described classroom practices and schoolwide systems that promote social-emotional learning and inclusion. Student council representative Vivian Tolentino said the school has created student-led club protocols and fundraising efforts that support local causes; Tolentino said the student council raised $2,500 in Amazon gift cards to help a school affected by fire. Pope and McLeod also highlighted a recently launched ability-awareness week and a world-fair event scheduled for May 3 to celebrate campus diversity.
At Mission Hills High School, counselors and students presented two student-led programs. Mariposa, formed in September 2024 and led by staff and student leaders, focuses on empowering Latina students with curriculum and activities on cultural pride, goal-setting and healthy relationships. Presenters said Mariposa used district Panorama data to invite students and raised $1,521 from a concha sale to support a school trip.
Raices ("roots"), a student-led initiative launched this year, was presented by school psychologists and students. The program serves about 25 students weekly and focuses on mentorship, belonging, business and leadership skills; students have built small enterprises (selling tamales), partnered with district CTE classes to 3-D print ornaments for elementary students and presented at a county counselor event. Program presenters said pre/post survey data showed improvements in students' sense of belonging (from 3.05 to 3.89 on a 1'5 scale) and cultural connectedness (3.95 to 4.15).
Board members praised the student presenters and asked staff to continue supporting partnerships that bring community volunteers and industry partners into schools.
