We have much to be thankful for as we visit with family and friends during this holiday season. The dedication and commitment exhibited for our students is apparent every day.  We are very fortunate to have so many fine colleagues, a supportive community, and great students. 

During the recent community and county fires, staff formulated plans that ensured that safety and communication procedures were in place. Every effort was made to welcome all students back to the learning environment our schools provide. Throughout the school district, community service and giving opportunities are ongoing, assisting those affected by the fires. Our thoughts and best wishes are with our families who experienced damage or lost their homes in the recent tragic wildfires.

Through the support of our community and the hard work of our staff to manage the budget crisis, we have been able to continue to focus on our vision, goal, and targets  around literacy and meeting our facility needs. This focal point allows us to come together to find new and better ways of ensuring that all students have the preparation for the world they enter after leaving high school.

At high school staff meetings, I am talking with teachers about making certain that  students have the critical reading, writing, and mathematical skills to take them into the 21st century.  High standards and proficiencies for all means giving more of our students opportunities to take AP courses, and have exposure to college work before college. Like great coaches, our teachers are being called upon to provide supportive environments where students can excel, even beyond their own, and others expectations. As we explore the college readiness target, more information for parents is imperative, beginning during the elementary years of a child’s education.  Working with staff, students, and teachers, we can provide a more level playing field for all our students as they complete high school and look to the future.

The Community Report from the Citizens’ Oversight Committee about facilities and the Proposition U (Building for Success) bond measure passed by the community in November 2002, is available for you to read in the PUSD e-bulletin. Plans are underway for renovation of the first three schools in Group One, and the building of a new school for Midland Elementary. A timeline outlines when work is planned for the 24 schools in the bond program.

Through our shared support and commitment, we can challenge our students to do their best.  The challenge is great, and is very important. To quote Michelangelo, “The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low, and we reach it."

I’m looking forward to continuing this important work of helping all students learn.

Warm regards,

Donald A. Phillips

Superintendent