🎓 This Week’s Thursday Update from the Hammer Montessori Foundation (HMF)
Hello Hammer Families,
This week’s update is centered on SJUSD’s Schools of Tomorrow process and the information currently available. HMF’s goal here is to support transparency and access to resources for families.
Important note up front: HMF cannot and will not take a stance on any of the proposed options. Our role is not advocacy for a specific outcome, but to help ensure families have clear, centralized information, timelines, and links so they can stay informed and participate individually if they choose.
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📌 Schools of Tomorrow: Current Options Under Consideration
SJUSD has outlined three options currently under consideration related to school consolidations, closures, and restructuring. As reflected in district materials and parent discussions:
Option 1
• Hammer Montessori would relocate to Rachel Carson Elementary School (4245 Meg Drive, near Hwy 87 / Capitol Expressway)
• Galarza would remain open
• Rachel Carson would close and become a Hammer-only campus
Option 2
• Hammer and Galarza would remain at the current shared campus
• The campus would absorb additional students from schools proposed to close (including Lowell and programs from Terrell)
• This could add approximately 250 students to the site
Option 3
• Hammer would remain at its current location
• Galarza would close
• Galarza students would be reassigned based on revised attendance boundaries
• Galarza classrooms on the site would be vacant (future use not specified)
No final decision has been made. Based on district timelines shared at recent meetings, a decision could occur as early as early March.
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🗓️ Meetings and Timeline
• Next Schools of Tomorrow meeting: February 10
– Held at the district office and available virtually
– Watch for district emails with the meeting link and time
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📂 District Resources and Documents
• Schools of Tomorrow document repository (presentations, spreadsheets, reports):
https://sjusd.app.box.com/s/v4p9ourhxnjm2cqccpkrayhgj28xzgn2
• UPP% (Unduplicated Pupil Percentage) data document shared by parents:
https://sjusd.app.box.com/s/v4p9ourhxnjm2cqccpkrayhgj28xzgn2/file/2123585538365
UPP% explained (in plain language):
UPP% stands for Unduplicated Pupil Percentage. It is a California education funding metric that reflects the percentage of students who qualify as high-need (including students eligible for free/reduced-price meals, English learners, and foster youth). Schools with higher UPP% receive more state funding under the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), and this metric is one factor used in evaluating consolidation decisions.
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✉️ How Families Can Share Feedback Individually
Families who wish to share questions, concerns, or feedback can contact:
• Schools of Tomorrow committee: schoolsoftomorrow@sjusd.org
• SJUSD Board of Education members (emails available by clicking individual names):
https://www.sjusd.org/about/board-of-education
• San Jose City Council, District 6 (where Hammer is located): district6@sanjoseca.gov
Please note: Any letters, petitions, or coordinated outreach are individual family actions and are not statements on behalf of HMF.
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🤝 Purpose and Expectations for Information Sharing
HMF created this information-sharing forum so families can:
• Share district-provided information and links
• Clarify timelines, terminology, and meeting details
• Coordinate access to resources
• Ask questions and support respectful discussion
This is not an official HMF position forum. We ask that posts remain factual, respectful, and community-minded.
We recognize this process raises real questions and concerns for many families. HMF is committed to keeping parents informed as new information becomes available and ensuring there is a clear, centralized place to stay connected.
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🍲 Reminder: Sign Up for the Galammer Staff Potluck
Don’t forget to sign up to support our teachers and staff with the Galammer Staff Potluck on Friday, February 13. Anyone can support (approved volunteer status is not required to contribute).
Sign up here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZqxSzCE0WxWsetJr59_mI9khcKS42kqPACNM4BymQ8w/edit?tab=t.0
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📅 Important Dates
• School Site Council Meeting – February 6 @ 8:00am
• Galammer Friendship Night – February 6, 5:00–7:00pm
• Red/Pink Day – February 13 (Free Dress)
• Winter Recess – February 16–20 (No School)
• Galammer Math Festival – March 4, 5:00–7:00pm
• Daylight Savings – March 8 (Spring Forward)
• Minimum Days – March 12 and 13 (Students released at 1:00pm)
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📌 Final Note
Please keep an eye out for flyers being distributed around campus. These will include helpful links to a petition and a form email for parents who wish to share feedback individually.
With appreciation,
Hammer Montessori Foundation (HMF)