OneDublin.org

With election day 2024 here, voters are facing a myriad of propositions and choices of candidates to fill key positions. Early ballot collection data suggests that voter participation could result in the highest levels ever recorded. However, unless an incumbent is seeking a different or higher office, very little is made of the public servants who have elected to allow their time in office to simply lapse. In Dublin, DUSD Area 3 will have a new representative as Trustee William Kuo has chosen not to run for re-election to serve another term. This is an unusual circumstance – for many reasons. According to Ballotpedia, in the 2022 general election, an average of 94% of incumbents nationwide won their re-election bids. So, the odds would favor making a bid to stay in office. But Mr. Kuo’s journey to his position was uncommon. Some may say that his rise was inadvertent. But his legacy may stand as being one of the most consequential trustees in recent memory.

“Anyone that wants to build a lunar base at some point must of course be familiar with the local conditions.” – Professor Hakan Kayal

Last week marked the physical opening of the new Emerald High School campus. From conception to delivery, it is a moment that represents over a decade of effort, momentary setbacks, hope and ultimately, exhilaration. In June, we were granted the opportunity to sit down and meet with EHS’ Inaugural Principal Francis Rojas. Mr. Rojas came to DUSD after a distinguished career as both classroom teacher and administrator – most notably at James Logan and Milpitas High Schools. We noted that Francis could appreciate both the nuances and profound differences for communities that support both singular and multiple high school campuses. Locally, Dublin Unified would be making a leap that our neighbors in Pleasanton and Livermore had taken several years ago.

So, it could be viewed as strategic to elevate a leader that would embrace this growth challenge and to provide a bridge for best practices that have been developed at Dublin High School. But this momentous role couldn’t be bestowed upon just anyone. Fortunately for Emerald High School, a qualified and strategic candidate was prepared for this challenge in Lenni Velez. Ms. Velez earned her BS in Mathematics from Cal State University Hayward. Subsequently, she completed an MA in Math Education from Stanford University. Her 20-year education career initiated in the classroom, and she then received her first bite of administrator life in 2013 – ultimately becoming a full time Assistant Principal in 2016. Lenni also benefited in the mentorship from both Dublin High School Principals Carol Shimizu and Maureen Byrne. Piece by piece, it all came together, and Ms. Velez was inducted as Emerald’s first Assistant Principal in 2023.

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust – French Novelist

Since his appointment as Inaugural Principal in July 2022, Francis Rojas has been working to build the infrastructure of the Dublin Unified School District’s newest school. In the absence of a physical school site, Emerald High School (EHS) has been functioning and guiding its inaugural class over the past year on the Dublin High School campus. According to the construction mapping schedule, Phase I of the project at Emerald was to have been completed in December 2023. However, various factors precluded this milestone. Instead, timelines were modified, and a public ribbon cutting was conducted at the new site on Saturday, June 10^th. What will greet returning students and a newly minted freshman class this fall are buildings that house learning and various sports fields.

Weeks prior to the ribbon cutting ceremony, OneDublin.org was granted a sit down with Inaugural Principal Rojas and a tour of the new campus. While the facilities are impressive, we have maintained the view that the central nervous system of any school is the students, staff and leadership. At the same time, it is important not to forget the mere construction of this second comprehensive high school has been fraught with numerous challenges, both fiscally and emotionally.

The National STEM Challenge from the US Department of Education and EXPLR is now open for submissions for students in grades 6-12 in the U.S. and its territories. The challenge is an opportunity for students to embrace their inner scientist, engineer, tech enthusiast, or math whiz, and make a meaningful impact on our planet through the power of STEM (more details). 200 National STEM Champions will have travel and accommodation expenses covered to attend the National STEM Festival on April 12-13th, 2024 in Washington, DC.

[FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE] Dublin, CA–Join us for a special evening celebrating the release of James Morehead’s latest poetry collection, “The Plague Doctor,” at The Frame Company and Art Gallery, Dublin, California on Saturday May 6, 7pm. Morehead, recently confirmed as Dublin’s Poet Laureate for a second two-year term, invites you to immerse yourself in his mesmerizing new work at this exclusive launch party featuring a book signing, reading, and complimentary refreshments. Be among the first to experience this captivating collection, with signed copies available for purchase at a special event price. Limited free tickets are available now on Eventbrite.

DUBLIN, CA–Viewless Wings, in collaboration with the City of Dublin, today launched Dublin’s second annual Poetry Walk for National Poetry Month 2023. For the month of April, 25 locations across Dublin are displaying poems curated from 100 submissions by Tri-Valley residents and beyond. Submissions were curated by City of Dublin Poet Laureate James Morehead (who was recently confirmed for a second two-year term). Residents and visitors are encouraged to share selfies with poems on social media using the hash tag #DublinPoetryWalk. Explore the City of Dublin and read them all.

DUBLIN-CA–Dublin elected officials, led by Mayor Melissa Hernandez, recognized volunteers with awards at the annual Volunteer Recognition Event, held at the Shannon Community Center, on Wed. March 1, 2023. The event opened with an original poem recited by Dublin Poet Laureate – James Morehead. Awards included the Young Citizen of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Organization of the Year, and special Mayor’s awards. Video of the event is included below.

Education is the foundation of a strong and prosperous society, and nonprofit organizations play a vital role in providing access to quality education for all. One such organization that deserves recognition is Engen Learning. 

Founded in 2020 by Dhruv Kulkarni, Chitsein Htun, and Moses Hong, Engen Learning is a nonprofit organization that provides free online educational resources to students around the world. The organization was founded with the goal of providing free and virtual enrichment classes to students worldwide in a variety of niche but essential topics. Some courses include AI, Philosophy, Graphic Design, Financial Literacy, and Public Speaking. The classes found at Engen Learning typically run for 6-8 weeks over zoom and feature a wide range of difficulty levels based on different age groups. These classes are free for anyone who can access a computer, making them an ideal tool for students, teachers, and lifelong learners alike. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 7, 2023

DUBLIN, CA–At the February 7, 2023 City of Dublin Council Meeting, the Council voted to confirm the selection of James Morehead as the City of Dublin’s Poet Laureate for a second term starting February 8, 2023 and running through December 31, 2024.