Superintendent's Newsletter

You may also read the Superintendent's Newsletter on our homepage in the "Latest Headlines" section.

Congratulations to all of our students and staff on a remarkable year of learning at a time when we faced enormous challenges.

I want to thank all of our families and staff for their hard work this year. As this year's academic assessments have shown, our students learned and grew in spite of a global pandemic thanks to your partnership. This was an extraordinarily challenging time, but together, we provided a great experience for our kids.

To our students, congratulations on an amazing school year! We are proud of your hard work, perseverance, creativity and sense of community that makes our schools amazing places to grow and learn. Congratulations to our 8th graders who will move on to high school next year. We will miss you and wish you amazing success in high school, college and beyond. To our 6th graders--we are thrilled to welcome you to junior high school next year! To all of our elementary school students, we're so proud of your work this year to move on to the next grade level. Your new teachers are excited to meet you next year, ready to learn with you and your classmates.

I hope everyone has an amazing summer and we can't wait to see you next year!

The Los Altos School District is prepared and planning for a full reopening of all schools next year, beginning with the first day of school on August 18. This means a full school day and week for all students at all grade levels, with a weekly schedule like the one our students experienced before the pandemic. The full return will resume what we think of as normal school, with all of the community connections it brings.

We will continue to prioritize the health and safety of all students and staff. As new public health guidance becomes available, we will be ready to adjust as needed, while keeping our schools fully open and safe.

We can't wait to see all of our students and families next year!

To build a bridge to the next school year, LASD developed a Summer Learning for All program for students at all grade levels. While summer participation is not mandatory, it is encouraged.

We have provided online grade-level activities so students can review and practice reading and mathematics in preparation for the next school year.

Summer Learning for All also includes engaging projects that explore the critical skills and habits we teach and foster in LASD so students develop the capabilities they need for lifelong learning. We call these the 6Cs: Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Character and Citizenship. The 6Cs encourage students to look at the world from different perspectives, see connections across the disciplines and engage real world interests, needs and challenges.

We look forward to seeing our students’ work this summer on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

We are thrilled to announce two amazing principals who will lead the charge next year at two of our schools.

Principal Gregory Land, Blach Junior High

Principal Gregory Land will be taking the helm at Blach Junior High after eight amazing years as serving as Principal at Santa Rita Elementary School. Mr. Land's strong leadership has nurtured an outstanding team of collaborative teachers and staff at Santa Rita, as well as a tight-knit, welcoming community of parents and students that honors diversity. Principal Land has a strong desire for continuous growth, inspiration and new challenges. Mr. Land has deep experience in public education, having served not only as an elementary school principal, but also as an administrator at the middle-school level, with his previous experience including service as principal of two different K-8 schools. He also has deep roots in our Los Altos School District Community, with a strong commitment to every student’s success. Mr. Land is ready to lead the charge at Blach Junior High.

Principal Kelly Rafferty, Santa Rita Elementary

I'm very pleased to announced that Kelly Rafferty will become principal of Santa Rita Elementary School on July 1. Mrs. Rafferty rose to the top of our search of highly-qualified principal candidates and we believe she is an excellent fit for Santa Rita’s student, staff and parent community. With over 20 years of experience in education, Mrs. Rafferty has been an essential member of our LASD educational team since 2004. Mrs. Rafferty has served as a classroom teacher, mentor, coach and professional development leader. Among her many educational roles at LASD, she has served as a STEM IST, and as the “Teacher in Charge” and “Acting Principal” at Santa Rita while Principal Land was on extended jury duty service. Mrs. Rafferty’s experience as an integral team member in LASD and Santa Rita will ensure a smooth transition for our Santa Rita teachers, staff and students.

Please join me in congratulating Mrs. Rafferty and Mr. Land! They are thrilled to welcome you to school next year.

Website: losaltosschools.org
Location: 201 Covington Road, Los Altos, CA, USA