Free meals
West Valley and Mission colleges are set to launch the first universal free meal program at a community college in the U.S. this fall.
According to recent studies in the West Valley-Mission Community College District, almost one-third of students deal with food insecurity every day, which is consistent with statewide findings from the Real College California Survey. While grade schools in California provide universal free meals, higher education institutions usually do not.
The district is investing $2.5 million annually into the program, which will offer at least one free meal a day to every in-person student at the two community colleges. Support for high-need students will also be expanded through the program, which is intended to strengthen student retention and advance equity outcomes.
Gabriel Gutierrez, a student services ambassador at West Valley College, said of the program, “As a full-time student juggling three part-time jobs, the stress of figuring out where my next meal will come from is something I know all too well. This program means I can focus more on my coursework and less on whether I’ll have enough to eat. It’s life-changing.”
The district will be working with student groups, employees and Thomas Cuisine to decide what will be on the menu and develop program logistics and equitable distribution models.
Principaled award
Saratoga High School principal Greg Louie was recently named Administrator of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators.
Louie was credited with supporting academic excellence, student engagement and a strong sense of community at the school. He was recognized for helping coach football and working with his staff on professional development.
The state association is the largest umbrella organization for school leaders in the nation. Louie was recognized in the secondary principal category throughout Region 8, which spans almost 400 schools and over 30 school districts throughout Santa Clara County and the southern end of the San Francisco Bay Area.
“This recognition is really a reflection of the incredible team at SHS: our dedicated staff, amazing students and supportive parents,” Louie said in a release.