Dear Families,

What a great time of the year! Fall is in the air, students and staff are filled with anticipation for what the year will hold, athletic competitions and the pageantry they include are in full swing, and we are launching some new opportunities for our students. Could there be a better time to reflect on where we are and where we are going?

I want to begin by sharing how proud I am of the steady gain our students have demonstrated in academic achievement. This is a top priority in the PYLUSD, and our students continue to score higher each year in nearly every subject and grade level. As in previous years, our scores surpass the goals the state has set for California public school districts.

In the area of technology, I am happy to report that all middle and high schools will have the capability to post grades online by the end of this school year. We are excited to provide this valuable tool to our students and parents, and I want to acknowledge the Herculean efforts of our technology staff this past summer in making this a reality.

This year also marks the beginning of some expanded opportunities for our neediest students. We are so pleased that our new Opportunity Classes for middle and high school students in danger of failing and/or dropping out of school are now in place. A number of these students have already shared that these classes have given them renewed hope. Imagine how this thrills their teachers! It's a perfect pay-off for months of hard work and planning.

We also have the opportunity to add additional counseling staff to our middle and high schools as a result of new funding from the state and look forward to the increased levels of support we will be able to provide our students.

Clearly, we anticipate another great year in the PYLUSD. I want you to know how much we appreciate the invaluable impact you as a community have on our students and schools. In thinking about the hopes and dreams we have for our students, we realize your support and generosity through Measure Y dollars and the gift of your time are key reasons we are an award-winning school district. Our modernized classrooms and new schools have provided a great foundation for the educational environment our children deserve. In looking to the future, I do have concerns about our ability to continue to provide the highest quality educational environment for our children with many of the school facility and technology limitations that exist, but that's a subject for another time. For now, my best wishes to you and your family as we embark on the beginning of another school year.

Sincerely,

Dennis M. Smith, Ed.D.

Superintendent