Dear SPUSD Families,

We look forward to welcoming your children back to school on Wednesday, August 12, 2026! I am excited to begin the year by focusing on these key priorities: advancing student achievement, improving belonging and communication, strengthening collaboration, and ensuring fiscal responsibility.

This year, we are grounding our work in the SPUSD core value of inclusiveness. Teachers and staff will kick off the year at the All-Hands Meeting by hearing from an inspiring SPHS alumnus about the importance of belonging, followed by spending time together at the schools as they eagerly prepare our classrooms and campuses for your children. 

During professional development sessions throughout the year, secondary teachers will concentrate on fostering inclusion and belonging, while also exploring new ways to strengthen collaboration and articulation between the middle and high school. Elementary teachers will be focusing on play-based learning, foundational literacy, and scientific thinking.

We are also prioritizing thoughtful, mindful use of technology. Attached to this letter is a new Technology Tidbits resource. Our goal is to use technology to elevate education rather than distract from it. This one-sheet summarizes District-wide practices designed to keep students focused, engaged, and physically active. Look for more technology resources for families throughout the school year, and check out the new online technology resource hub located on the SPUSD website.

During the summer, our maintenance and custodial staff ensured that the schools are ready to welcome everyone back safely. We have made improvements such as fresh paint, new HVAC systems, new turf, and new carpeting as needed. We are thankful to the community for overwhelmingly passing Measure SP, the facilities bond measure; we want to reiterate that we will be diligent fiscal stewards of this responsibility. Future bond project planning is underway, and more information will be shared in the coming weeks.

We encourage all families to engage with your school's PTA and booster clubs, and to support the vital work of SPEF, which provides invaluable resources for our student programs and teachers. Your participation strengthens our entire community and is very important to our success.

The achievements of our students directly reflect the unwavering dedication of our educators and families. Thank you for your support. I am truly honored to serve such a passionate and engaged community.

Sincerely,

Angela Elizondo Baxter, Ed.D.
Superintendent