Candidate for
Board Member; South San Francisco Unified School District; 4 Year Term

Bottom Line---You and I have the right to expect the best for the students in our community. My philosophy is just that--give them their best chance by maintaining and constantly improving the education they receive.....It must be a partnership between the home and school. I work closely with the PTA's in our community, parents, teachers, administrators and business to see that we share ideas and implement programs for the success of students.

Our schools look great and all our teachers are credentialed by the State of California, not many districts can say this...I am proud and you are too. We provide assistance to new teachers and work to maintain and retain the quality you expect. We expel students that pose a danger to others and continue to educate them in a more structured setting--We have programs for the gifted, the challenged, adults, pre schoolers--we have something for everyone in our community...Education is the best gift we give our children and the best opportunities we give ourselves....Please contact me with your questions or to just give input. The schools belong to all of us and we all need to be part of making SSF a place to learn....Thank you. Please vote on November 5th... shirleej1@yahoo.com

Our Board has made many accomplishments made during the past four years:

• TEST SCORE ARE UP, UP, UP Test scores are just one measurement of how well our children are doing. We are proud of the accomplishment of students, supported by credentialed staff, at our South San Francisco Unified Schools. District test scores range from slightly below the state high performing score to the average performing score on the Academic Performance Index (API). We have National Merit Scholars every year! Many programs have received the prestigious San Mateo County Kent Award for Excellence, including the Families on Track Program for our Hispanic students giving them the opportunity to receive social service and their best chance to succeed in this often turbulent society.

• HIGH SCHOOL EXIT EXAM RESULTS ARE GREAT!

• Other Achievements Our administrative costs are below national, state and county average--Child care or homework huts are available at all elementary sites--Student teacher ratio of 20-1 in all classes grades k-3--Tutorial learning Centers to support reading--Participation in regular Program Quality Review--Instrumental elementary music to high school band programs that are the envy of other school districts#-Artist in Resident Programs--School site councils #-Computer assisted education-computers in every classroom
  --Academic and personal counseling services--at risk intervention counselors at the middle schools
  --Annual History and Science fair participation
  --Co-curricular activities and clubs--After school boys and girls athletics, a joint program with the cities
  --High school scholastic aptitude test math and verbal scores at or above state average--We have recent high school students who are students at Stanford, Harvard, Yale, US Naval Academy and all UC and State University campuses--California Distinguished High School--Digital High School Grant recipients--National Merit Scholars--School Drop out rate among lowest in the county--Advance placement classes for our high school seniors--Fully equipped Library and Technology Centers--Children's Center pre-school program and before and after school child care--San Mateo County Head Start Program located on district Adult Education site # so parents may attend school to learn English--Summer Session for elementary, middle, and high school enrichment and remediation--Partnership programs with Skyline, San Mateo and Canada community colleges--School to Career programs--Special Education Programs--Adult education programs for community members # teaching computer applications, English as a second language, GED preparation, child care, citizenship--self-sufficient- no impact on general fund--Wide offering for boys and girls interscholastic athletics--Low turn over of employees--BTSA Program # to train new teachers with mentor teachers working directly with new hires during the day
  --ALL teachers credentialed by the State--Excellent relationship with CTA, AFT and CSEA--Relationship with the City of South San Francisco, San Bruno and Daly City are positive ( I have the endorsements of Mayor Mullin, Karyl Matsomoto, and Joe Fernekes,)