Dear SPUSD Families,
 
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! I hope you and your families had a relaxing summer filled with fun and engaging activities. The first day of the 2023-2024 school year will be Tuesday, August 15, 2023.

 

South Pasadena Unified School District continues to grow, welcoming more of our youngest students at all three elementary schools with the expansion of Transitional Kindergarten. To warmly welcome all students, SPUSD staff members are reinvigorating our campuses, and our teachers are readying their curriculum and classrooms. 

 

SPUSD offers students outstanding spaces to learn and grow, including our recently added elementary arts classrooms, new playground equipment, top-notch athletic facilities, and a new high school Anatomy Lab. Thanks to SPEF and the California K-12 Strong Workforce Grant, this new lab will feature a state-of-the-art anatomage table, which will be used for various applicable courses of study at the high school. Some additional highlights at the schools include a refreshed roof on the SPMS Auditorium, the installation of new turf at the high school’s Ray Solari Stadium, and a sparkling, refinished high school gymnasium floor. Additionally, a significant investment was made in new LED lights for the Anderson Auditorium - thanks again to SPEF.  A new semi-trailer for the instrumental music program is also nearly complete and includes a spectacular display of Tiger Pride. The district-wide solar panel project will begin later this fall and continue through the summer of 2024 at all five campuses and the District Office. 

 

Annual test scores indicate that SPUSD students are in a strong place academically, and we will continue to refine instruction based on students’ needs. Teachers and support staff always look for ways to improve, including keeping a close eye on families whose children may be experiencing challenges. Teachers establish personal connections with students, and school counselors will be providing targeted support and referrals as needed. Our teams will work together to advance student learning while also providing a strong foundation of social-emotional support.

 

Thank you for all of your help and trust as we lead students on their educational journeys. Please consider participating in SPEF, PTA, SPMS/SPHS Booster Clubs, and other volunteer opportunities. This support helps our District continue to be a destination for families seeking an extraordinary educational experience for their children.

 

We’re looking forward to an outstanding school year!

 

Regards,

 

Geoff Yantz, Ed.D.
Superintendent