PTA Update: Investing in Classroom Support for Student Achievement

Dear Uni Hill Parents and Guardians,

As we look ahead to a strong second half of the school year, we want to take a moment to reaffirm the mission of the Uni Hill PTA: to raise and allocate funds that best support student achievement and the dedicated staff who make our school community thrive. Your involvement—through time, energy, and financial support—truly shapes the experiences our students have every day.

This year, school administration has set two clear priorities:

• Decrease behavioral incidents

• Improve academic performance and testing outcomes

  
  

Since the beginning of the school year, Uni Hill has experienced significant classroom support needs due to both short- and long-term substitute requirements across multiple grades. These disruptions create real stress for students, teachers, and staff, and they challenge the learning environment we all want for our children.

As a PTA, we believe—deeply and unequivocally—that there is no role more important in a school than the classroom teacher. When classrooms are stable, supported, and consistent, students learn more effectively and behavior improves.

In this spirit, the PTA offered funding support for additional para-educators back in September, and we are excited to share that Principal Marina formally accepted this offer on Friday. We are eager to support her as she moves the hiring process forward as quickly as possible so these much-needed additional adults can be in classrooms as soon as possible, where they will make an immediate and meaningful impact.

Due to contractual rules, administration cannot reassign existing non-classroom staff into classroom roles unless those individuals volunteer to change positions. To meet urgent needs, the PTA has committed to fund up to four additional para-educators and one tutor for the remainder of the school year. This commitment gives Principal Marina flexible resources she can deploy wherever student needs are greatest.

The cost for each para-educator ranges from $13,500–$24,900 per semester, depending on experience. Marina has also committed to hiring a 0.75 FTE academic interventionist. Because the BVSD hiring process will likely extend beyond the January 6 restart date, final costs will be prorated.

Over the past two years, the Uni Hill PTA has also funded bus para-educators—a support that has dramatically improved student safety and behavior during transportation. After Uni Hill para-educators began serving as bus assistants, behavior incidents on buses dropped 82% year over year. This success reinforces the value of para-educators—not only in supporting teachers, but in creating calmer, safer, and more consistent experiences for students throughout the entire school day.

Our goal with this investment is simple: to create a more stable and consistent learning environment, decrease disruptions, and support higher academic achievement for all students.

How You Can Help

The PTA is funded exclusively by parking revenue from CU events at Folsom Field and by your generous donations. We are incredibly grateful to all who contribute—your support makes Uni Hill a truly special place for our children.

As a reminder:

• All donations to the Uni Hill PTA are tax-deductible

• Every dollar goes directly to Uni Hill

If you are able, we humbly and sincerely ask that you consider making a charitable donation of any size to help fund these critical support roles. Donations made before December 31, 2025, can be used as a 2025 tax deduction.

👉 Donate directly here:https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-directly-to-uni-hill-ptaA

tax benefit for you—immediate support for our kids.

We warmly invite parents to share your ideas, energy, and experiences. Every bit helps us grow a stronger, more supportive community for our children. If you’d like to discuss this initiative personally, we would be more than happy to connect.

Thank you for your partnership, your generosity, and your belief in our community. Together, we can create the consistent, supportive learning environment every Uni Hill student deserves.

With gratitude,The Uni Hill PTA Board

Joshua Martin

Ayeisha Mesinger

Carolina Neri

Jodeen Olguin-Tayler

Hannah Parris