Tag: ARUSD

ARUSD School Outreach Program Training

(ARUSD School Outreach Program Training – Published 08/21/25) On Friday, August 15th, 2025, FTSV welcomed over 30 after-school program leaders from all 15 schools in the Alum Rock Union School District (ARUSD) to Boys & Girls Club Smythe Clubhouse for a district-wide training event. Trainings such as this help prepare schools to deliver our School Program curriculum at their facilities.

Each year, schools across the region partner with FTSV for the upcoming academic year to deliver a version of our program and curriculum to their students. Many of the participating schools reside in East San Jose. These partnerships are vital to achieving our mission of serving our community, especially those in low-income areas and Title I schools. Our School Partners are equipped with the equipment, curriculum, and training needed to coach our core life and golf skills to their students, using adaptive lesson plans that make golf fun and accessible to kids no matter their age or skill level.

FTSV is proud to share that for the first time, all 15 schools in the Alum Rock Union School District have partnered with us for the upcoming 2025/26 school year!

“We are thrilled that ARUSD is all-in with FTSV’s School Partner program for all 15 of their schools,” said George Maxe, FTSV President & CEO.  “We want to thank Lupe Ruvalcaba, the Coordinator, Expanded Learning at ARUSD and her team, for their collaboration and belief in this partnership. Our team is excited to work together with ARUSD to enrich the lives of all ARUSD students.”

This show of force by ARUSD is a testament to the commitment they have to their students and families. “Our goal will always be to create a safe, supportive space where students can thrive. Working with FTSV allows us to offer our students meaningful experiences that teach life skills through the game of golf, while building confidence and fostering a strong sense of belonging,” said Lupe Ruvalcaba, Coordinator, Expanded Learning at ARUSD. The School Program lessons provide their students with a safe space to learn and grow as people, using the game of golf and all of its teachable moments as the driver of that growth.

Throughout the school year, after-school program leaders from the Boys & Girls Club, Think Together, and YMCA will deliver up to 8 of our lesson plans to ARUSD students, teaching them about core values like Respect, Sportsmanship, Confidence, Integrity, Goal-Setting, and Perseverance, as well as golf skills that will help them develop a proper grip, stance, and swing.

And during their school year, these schools will also have the opportunity to plan a field trip to Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course, where students will be able to try golf using real clubs and balls on the driving range and practice green, with teaching and guidance from FTSV staff and coaches. Given its proximity, Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course is the hub of our programming in the Alum Rock and East San Jose area. We hope the field trips help show these students that this golf course is a great community space for them and their families to hang out and enjoy the game together.

Our School Partner program is vital to our success as an organization, so thank you to ARUSD and all the program leaders who attended our training at Boys & Girls Club Smythe. We’re excited for another great school year and we can’t wait to see you and your students at the golf course!

If you are interested in starting a School Program in your school, please click here and email [email protected]

7th Annual Parent University – a resounding success!

(7th Annual Parent University – a resounding success!) On Saturday, May 17th, 2025, Alum Rock Union School District (ARUSD) and First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) once again teamed up to bring the 7th annual Parent University to Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course. The event, which has long been a resounding success, was no different this year, with 705 students and their families coming out for a community day of fun and games at the golf course.

At the practice facility and on several holes throughout the course, FTSV set up a taste of what our programs offer, with fun games and activities all backed up with a specific life skill to focus on. Each station was packed with students and their families, many of whom were trying out golf for the very first time. Each group rotated through the stations before gathering for lunch and live music in the afternoon.

The focus of Parent University has always been on gathering the community and bringing valuable resources to the families of Alum Rock.  ARUSD’s Student Services Department helped organize a ton of fantastic experiences for attendees, including several info booths, a great raffle, and even the ARUSD Jazz Band. And in a show of force as to just what this type of event means for the community, we were even joined by two local officials, Santa Clara County Supervisor Betty Duong and State Assemblymember Ash Kalra, who provided their encouraging remarks to kick-off the event.

From left: FTSV Board Victor M. Arrañaga Jr., ARUSD Superintendent German Cerda, CA State Rep Ash Kalra, Supervisor Betty Duong, FTSV CEO George Maxe

Here’s what their saying about the 7th Annual Parent University

Each year, FTSV is proud to partner with ARUSD and come together to serve and benefit the residents of our community. “FTSV was so pleased to play host once again at ARUSD’s Parent University at Rancho. The event was a huge success giving so many students and families the opportunity to experience golf and FTSV’s life skills curriculum. Rancho is FTSV’s home program location and East San Jose’s community golf course, so utilizing it in such a way is a perfect pairing for ARUSD and FTSV.” said George Maxe, FTSV President & CEO.

ARUSD Superintendent German Cerda said, “First Tee is a shining example of the powerful impact that school and community partnerships can have. It was truly inspiring to see so many families come together for this special event, where both students and parents were introduced to the game of golf—many for the very first time. Moments like these remind us what meaningful engagement really looks like.”

Interested in having your school or youth development program partner with First Tee – Silicon Valley? Please contact our Program Coordinator, Tanner Riley at (408) 508-4885, [email protected], or visit our outreach page.

Published: 05-22-2025