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Board spotlights Head Start, student achievements and arts winners; approves wellness updates
Summary
The board highlighted Head Start parent policy committee work and early-childhood services, recognized multiple student teams and arts winners, and approved an updated Student Wellness policy to meet federal nutrition rules and add triennial assessment language.
At its April 1 meeting the ABC Unified School Board spotlighted the district’s Head Start program, celebrated student achievements across athletics, debate, and the arts, and approved revisions to the district’s student-wellness policy.
Head Start: Dr. Christine Balua and Head Start director Vanessa San Martin introduced members of the Head Start executive policy committee and described services for 176 three- and four-year-old children at seven campuses (Aloha, Carver, Hawaiian, Kennedy, Melbourne, Nemis and Willow). San Martin said Head Start emphasizes school readiness and provides wraparound supports (nutrition, dental, mental and physical health) and family-engagement opportunities. Parent policy-committee president Aja Von shared her personal experience as a former Head Start student and current parent, calling the program “a testament of what ABC Unified can do.” Board members thanked parents and staff for the program’s work and noted eligibility and need-based ranking for enrollment.
Recognitions: The board recognized Whitney High’s girls basketball CIF state championship team, SOS High’s state wrestling qualifiers, migrant-education debate winners advancing to state competition in Monterey, and the district’s Black History Month Visual and Performing Arts contest winner (Adonna, senior). Presenters from Assemblymember Sharon Quirk Silva’s office and other local officials issued certificates and scrolls.
Student Wellness policy: The board approved revised BP/AR 5030 (Student Wellness) to align with USDA smart-snack standards, add a triennial assessment requirement and include the USDA nondiscrimination statement. A public commenter (teacher April Ronee) urged stronger action on meal nutrition and packaging; trustees asked staff to change a sentence about denying recess as discipline and to clarify how physical-education minutes and after-school activities support wellness.
