Dear SPUSD Families,
Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year. Thank you for your patience and support during the past year and a half. I hope you were able to spend time with family and friends this summer and explore new activities or reacquaint yourselves with activities that you may not have been able to participate in recently. We are looking forward to hearing about your adventures and reconnecting with your children when they return to school next Thursday, August 12.
The South Pasadena Unified team is ready to take on a new school year with students as our number one priority. In the past few months, we have discovered the depths of our resiliency and look forward with renewed energy to returning to full, in-person instruction with proven, layered COVID mitigation measures in place. School principals each sent detailed email messages yesterday with information about the measures that will be implemented on all campuses. SPUSD continues to follow the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health requirements, and we have updated the District’s Opening & Safety Plan accordingly. We have learned from experience that these guidelines may change, and therefore, must stay agile and continue to adapt to unexpected circumstances and new requirements. If you have any questions, please reach out to your school principals or assistant principals.
We realize that due to the pandemic, students may be at very different places in their educational journeys - academically, socially, and emotionally. New opportunities for continuous learning within our District are plentiful. We have added new mental health resources for our students including additional counseling staff to expand the Train Your Brain support, Sage -- comprehensive mental health services, and access to Chinatown Service Center which provides free, community-based mental health services. These supports are in addition to Care Solace which offers 24/7 help finding mental health-related programs and counseling services.
Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year. Thank you for your patience and support during the past year and a half. I hope you were able to spend time with family and friends this summer and explore new activities or reacquaint yourselves with activities that you may not have been able to participate in recently. We are looking forward to hearing about your adventures and reconnecting with your children when they return to school next Thursday, August 12.
The South Pasadena Unified team is ready to take on a new school year with students as our number one priority. In the past few months, we have discovered the depths of our resiliency and look forward with renewed energy to returning to full, in-person instruction with proven, layered COVID mitigation measures in place. School principals each sent detailed email messages yesterday with information about the measures that will be implemented on all campuses. SPUSD continues to follow the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health requirements, and we have updated the District’s Opening & Safety Plan accordingly. We have learned from experience that these guidelines may change, and therefore, must stay agile and continue to adapt to unexpected circumstances and new requirements. If you have any questions, please reach out to your school principals or assistant principals.
We realize that due to the pandemic, students may be at very different places in their educational journeys - academically, socially, and emotionally. New opportunities for continuous learning within our District are plentiful. We have added new mental health resources for our students including additional counseling staff to expand the Train Your Brain support, Sage -- comprehensive mental health services, and access to Chinatown Service Center which provides free, community-based mental health services. These supports are in addition to Care Solace which offers 24/7 help finding mental health-related programs and counseling services.
Our goal is to meet students where they are, provide the support they need to be successful, and to accelerate their learning. The SPUSD educational team is strong, with talented, well-prepared faculty and staff who go the extra mile to help students grow and who understand at a deep level what students need coming out of a year of pandemic learning.
When our secondary students return to the middle school and high school this year, they will be learning and growing within the beautiful, new SPMS Arts Building and the new SPHS Athletics facilities. The elementary schools are also adding new art rooms and classrooms to replace the portables on all campuses. Teachers will continue to utilize outdoor learning spaces as appropriate for instruction. All of these spaces contribute to a more welcoming and enjoyable space for your children but also for teachers, parents, and the community.
When our secondary students return to the middle school and high school this year, they will be learning and growing within the beautiful, new SPMS Arts Building and the new SPHS Athletics facilities. The elementary schools are also adding new art rooms and classrooms to replace the portables on all campuses. Teachers will continue to utilize outdoor learning spaces as appropriate for instruction. All of these spaces contribute to a more welcoming and enjoyable space for your children but also for teachers, parents, and the community.
Thank you for your continued support and trust. Just a reminder to please also consider participating in SPEF, PTA, SPMS/SPHS Booster Clubs, and other volunteer opportunities. This support allows our District to continue to be a central source of healing as we recover from a difficult couple of years.
As always, please monitor your children closely and do not send them to school if they are showing symptoms of infectious illness such as flu or COVID. Please keep them at home and seek testing and medical care to help keep everyone safe. We’re looking forward to a meaningful school year for your children!
Regards,
Geoff Yantz, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Superintendent