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“Even on weekends, they ask, ‘Why aren’t we going to school?’” That’s how one multilingual mother from Brazil describes her children’s experience in the neighborhood preschool program at Lead Elementary, soon to be Cottage Grove Elementary.

In just six months, she says, her children are now speaking Spanish and English in addition to Portuguese. “Thank you for investing in the children and treating them with so much love,” she shared. “This is reflected in the joy when they come to school. It gives us the support to go to work knowing our children are cared for. For a mother, I think that’s the most important part of the story.”

Stories like this reflect the impact of the San Mateo-Foster City School District’s continued investment in early learning. At the January 22, 2026, regular board meeting, district leaders shared updates on the growth of the district’s preschool program, highlighting how intentional expansion has increased access to high-quality early education for families across the community.

Over the past several years, preschool enrollment has grown significantly as the district expanded access to California State Preschool Program (CSPP) classrooms. In the 2021–22 school year, the district served 164 preschool students. That number grew to 310 students in 2022–23, 411 students in 2023–24, and 567 students in 2024–25. 

This year, the district continues to serve more than 550 preschool students across the community, reflecting how access to early learning opportunities has more than tripled in just a few years. This growth has been supported by expanded state funding for early childhood education. Funding for the district’s preschool program increased from approximately $3.1 million in 2021–22 to $7.4 million in 2025–26, allowing the district to continue building sustainable programs that serve more families.

At the same time, the district continues strengthening inclusive preschool environments through the Inclusive Early Education Expansion Program grant, which helps ensure that students with diverse learning needs can learn alongside their peers in welcoming classrooms designed for all children.

Beyond the numbers, the program's strength lies in the support systems built around students, families, and educators. Preschool staff participate in ongoing coaching and professional development through frameworks such as the Teaching Pyramid and CARE team collaboration. Families are supported through mental health resources, community partnerships, and workshops that help caregivers stay connected to their child’s learning journey.

These layered supports help ensure that students develop strong early literacy, language, and social-emotional skills while building the confidence and sense of belonging that prepare them for kindergarten. Programs such as Learning Without Tears and Second Step further support kindergarten readiness and social-emotional growth in the earliest years of school.

As the district continues expanding access to preschool programming, the goal remains clear: ensuring every child begins their educational journey in an environment where they feel supported, included, and excited to learn. And for families like the one at Lead Elementary, that impact is already clear. When children ask why they can’t go to school on the weekend, it’s a sign that something meaningful is happening inside those classrooms.

“I remember two years ago when the fences went up around our old playground. I stood there in fifth grade with my seventh-grade friends, thinking, what? Maybe this building will be bigger and more modern, but will it take away from the feeling of Parkside? No, because here at Parkside, anything can be special, even things you least expect,” shares Lydia, a student at Parkside Montessori.

Lydia’s reflection captures something powerful about school construction. Buildings may change, grow, and modernize, but what truly makes a school special is the community inside it.

The San Mateo-Foster City School District is proud to celebrate two significant construction milestones that reflect our continued investment in safe, modern, and student-centered learning environments. The opening of Bowditch Middle School’s new Academic Core and the ribbon cutting of Parkside Montessori’s new Multi-Purpose Room represent years of thoughtful planning, collaboration, and the fulfillment of the shared commitments from the support of our community. Together, these projects demonstrate how we are building spaces that match the excellence, creativity, and potential of our students.

At Bowditch Middle School, students and staff are now learning and working within a transformative new Academic Core designed to support both academic achievement and student wellness. The new complex includes 19 modern classrooms, a dedicated library building, a counseling center, a wellness center, student and staff restrooms, and a central courtyard created to foster collaboration and connection. These spaces were intentionally designed to provide flexibility for teaching and learning while ensuring students have access to the support services they need to thrive.

Designed with sustainability in mind, the new Academic Core is fully electric, with no gas used for heating or air conditioning. This all-electric design supports the district’s environmental goals while reducing long-term operational impact.

Amy Ruffo, Executive Director of Facilities and Construction, notes, “The Bowditch Academic Core was intentionally designed to serve the whole child, pairing modern instructional spaces with dedicated areas for counseling and wellness.”

While Bowditch students are settling into their new academic spaces, the Parkside Montessori community recently gathered to celebrate a milestone of its own. On February 24, 2026, Parkside marked the ribbon-cutting of its new Multi-Purpose Room. A central gathering space designed to support learning, creativity, and community connection.

“As a board, our role is stewardship, including following up on our commitment to modernize schools,” shares Board President Maggie Trinh. We are proud to celebrate this moment with you and proud to keep building forward together. Thanks to the support of Measure T, this $17 million investment includes a stage, kitchen and servery, restrooms, a turf field, repaved blacktop, a new parking lot, an adolescent courtyard, and a refreshed primary play yard.

The new MPR will serve as the home for cultural and community gatherings led by adolescent students, student performances, PTA meetings, and school-wide assemblies featuring guests ranging from Music at Kohl’s to the Marine Science Institute. It is a space designed not only for instruction, but for celebration, leadership, and shared experiences that strengthen the school community.

This milestone builds on several recent campus improvements at Parkside, including HVAC replacement and added air conditioning completed in Fall 2024, turf field upgrades completed in Fall 2024, paving and infrastructure improvements completed in 2025, and restroom modernization currently under design. These upgrades reflect a long-term approach to ensuring campuses remain modern, safe, and welcoming for students and families.

Both Bowditch and Parkside represent more than construction milestones; they represent the district’s continued commitment to delivering on its promises. Through careful planning, stakeholder engagement, and community support, the San Mateo-Foster City School District continues to modernize learning environments across all 22 schools.

We are grateful to our voters and community members who make these investments possible and who share in our belief that when we invest in our facilities, we invest in the future of every student.

To learn more about ongoing school construction projects, please visit the District’s Construction page or contact the Facilities & Construction Department at facilitiesplanning@smfc.k12.ca.us.

FabLab Mini Maker Faire at Bayside Academy

Join us for FabLab — a “Fabulous Evening of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math” — on Friday, March 13, 2026, from 6:00–8:30 p.m. in the New Gym at Bayside Academy.

This annual event brings our K–8 community together for an evening of hands-on STEM/STEAM learning and creativity. With more than 30 activity tables, live demonstrations, and student-led showcases, FabLab is designed to get kids building, experimenting, and exploring.

Mini Feria de Creaciones FabLab en Bayside Academy

Únete a FabLab, una "Noche Fabulosa de Ciencia, Tecnología, Ingeniería, Arte y Matemáticas", el viernes 13 de marzo de 2026, de 18:00 a 20:30 h, en el nuevo gimnasio de Bayside Academy.

Este evento anual reúne a nuestra comunidad de K-8 en una noche de aprendizaje práctico y creatividad en STEM/STEAM. Con más de 30 mesas de actividades, demostraciones en vivo y presentaciones dirigidas por estudiantes, FabLab está diseñado para que los niños construyan, experimenten y exploren.

What is FabLab?
FabLab stands for a "Fabulous Evening of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math." This exciting, annual event is a cornerstone of our efforts to enthusiastically promote STEM/STEAM education-Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics-among our entire student body, spanning from Kindergarten through 8th grade. 

It is much more than a simple school fair; it is an immersive evening of hands-on learning, creative exploration, and discovery. Attendees can expect to interact with over 30 dynamic activity tables and exploration stations, all designed to celebrate and showcase the rich STEM-oriented curriculum and thriving student clubs offered by Bayside Academy. 

The event is modeled after a true "mini maker faire, " where individuals and groups, including Bayside students, teachers, parents, and community partners, become exhibitors. They showcase their favorite projects, innovations, and passions, providing live demonstrations and engaging activities that encourage kids to touch, build, tinker, and explore. From robotics and coding demonstrations to chemistry experiments and engineering challenges, there is something to ignite the curiosity of every young mind.

Event Details
Mark your calendars! The FabLab Mini Maker Faire will be held on Friday, March 13, 2026, from 6:00-8:30 pm, in the New Gym at Bayside Academy in San Mateo, California.

Visibility and Community Impact
With hundreds of enthusiastic attendees expected from Bayside Academy and surrounding schools across our district, the FabLab Mini Maker Faire offers an incredible opportunity for exposure. For businesses, this event provides great visibility to a focused audience of engaged parents and community members, as well as potential clients in the San Mateo area who are highly invested in their children's education and future.

Join Us!
We are actively reaching out to esteemed community partners like your business to see if you would consider joining our "nerdy fun" and supporting this vital educational initiative as an event sponsor. Your support directly helps us continue to expand the scope and quality of our STEM/STEAM programs.

¿Qué es FabLab?
FabLab significa "Noche Fabulosa de Ciencia, Tecnología, Ingeniería, Arte y Matemáticas". Este emocionante evento anual es fundamental en nuestros esfuerzos por promover con entusiasmo la educación STEM/STEAM (Ciencia, Tecnología, Ingeniería, Arte y Matemáticas) entre todo nuestro alumnado, desde preescolar hasta octavo grado. 

Es mucho más que una simple feria escolar; es una noche inmersiva de aprendizaje práctico, exploración creativa y descubrimiento. Los asistentes podrán interactuar con más de 30 mesas de actividades dinámicas y estaciones de exploración, todas diseñadas para celebrar y mostrar el rico currículo orientado a STEM y los vibrantes clubes estudiantiles que ofrece Bayside Academy.

El evento se basa en una auténtica "miniferia de creadores", donde individuos y grupos, incluyendo estudiantes, docentes, padres y colaboradores de la comunidad de Bayside, se convierten en expositores. Presentan sus proyectos, innovaciones y pasiones favoritas, con demostraciones en vivo y actividades atractivas que animan a los niños a tocar, construir, experimentar y explorar. Desde demostraciones de robótica y programación hasta experimentos de química y desafíos de ingeniería, hay algo para despertar la curiosidad de cada joven.

Detalles del evento
¡Apúntenlo en sus calendarios! La Mini Feria de Creaciones FabLab se llevará a cabo el viernes 13 de marzo de 2026, de 18:00 a 20:30 h, en el nuevo gimnasio de Bayside Academy en San Mateo, California.

Visibilidad e impacto en la comunidad
Con cientos de asistentes entusiastas de Bayside Academy y de escuelas cercanas de nuestro distrito, la Mini Feria de Creaciones FabLab ofrece una increíble oportunidad de visibilidad. Para las empresas, este evento brinda gran visibilidad a un público objetivo de padres y miembros de la comunidad comprometidos, así como a clientes potenciales en el área de San Mateo que están muy comprometidos con la educación y el futuro de sus hijos.

¡Únase a nosotros!
Estamos contactando activamente a socios comunitarios valiosos, como su empresa, para ver si consideraría unirse a nuestra "diversión nerd" y apoyar esta vital iniciativa educativa como patrocinador del evento. Su apoyo nos ayuda directamente a seguir ampliando el alcance y la calidad de nuestros programas STEM/STEAM.
 

Join us for our 3rd Community Vision Meeting to shape the future of the San Mateo-Foster City School District! At this session, we'll review the draft of the Vision for Learner Experience - what every student should experience in and outside of class - written by members of the community. Your input will help shape the district's Community Vision and Strategic Plan.

Here are the details:

RSVP to help us plan for dinner and childcare. If you need transportation or interpretation services, please be sure to RSVP.

Your voice matters in creating a lasting vision that serves all learners in the community. We hope you'll join us!

Chicken Tikka Masala, often recognized as a British favorite with Indian roots, brings bold spices, tomato, and rich dairy together in a flavorful sauce that pairs well with chicken, paneer, chickpeas, or tofu.

We first introduced Chicken Tikka Masala with Steamed Brown Rice and Naan in February 2025. That day, students chose between Tikka Masala and Veggie Nuggets with French Fries, and 55% selected Tikka Masala. By March 2025, that number increased to 59%.

When paired with one of our most popular sides, Cheese Breadsticks, participation grew from 13% in September 2025 to 33% in February 2026. In response to strong student interest, we expanded the menu in January 2026 to include a vegetarian option, Tofu Tikka Masala. The next service is scheduled for February 17, 2026.