New Haven Unified board spotlights specialist programs, ICL cohort and citizenship classes

The New Haven Unified School Board convened an open session of its board meeting to showcase “Celebrating Schools” presentations from elementary through high school programs and the district’s adult education center.

Board Chair opened the meeting and the board approved the night’s agenda by roll call. The meeting included a land acknowledgement recognizing Ohlone ancestral lands, brief ceremonial remarks and student-led presentations from multiple school sites.

Karen Clarindo, acting principal at Pioneer Elementary School, described programs funded by Proposition 28 and said the funding has broadened student access to arts and STEM pathways: “By increasing access to programs like art, music, spoken word, and animatronics, we are providing students with unique avenues for self discovery,” she said. Clarindo highlighted student workshops and after-school opportunities, and invited a student to read a poem for the board.

James Logan High School staff presented the Institute for Community Leadership (ICL), with a house principal identified as Verma summarizing the program’s history and outcomes. Verma said the cohort structure was created in 2010 to help students who felt disconnected and credited the program with measurable gains: “Since 2021, over 50% of our ICL students are in honors or in AP programming,” he said. Students who participate described ICL events, leadership opportunities and peer support that helped them transition into a large high school.

Easton Elementary and Tom Kitayama Elementary presenters emphasized the value of specialist teachers — including music, media, PE and science — who work with students from transitional kindergarten through fifth grade, fostering continuity and stronger student–teacher relationships. A specialist teacher said, “Kids feel like they belong in my program and have dignity because I’ve known these kids since kindergarten,” and explained how continuity helps students’ engagement and social-emotional growth.

At Alvarado Elementary, staff described Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) as a schoolwide, tiered approach to social-emotional learning. Presenters cited specific practices such as assemblies, class meetings and a schoolwide incentive system ("golden tickets") intended to reinforce expected behaviors and build a culture of belonging.

New Haven Adult School teacher Aspen Nejad, who has taught the citizenship class for two decades, described the course offered Fridays and said it has helped many students complete the naturalization process. “I became a citizen myself a long time ago, so I went through this process… I have helped more than thousands of students who became an American citizen here,” Nejad said, and students spoke about pursuing citizenship to vote, travel and reunite families.

Trustees offered comments at the meeting’s close, praising program continuity, student performances and the district’s adult education pathways. Student board member Gonzales and Trustee Freiberg both noted the impact of specialist and leadership programs on student engagement and achievement.

The board adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:23 p.m.