Dear SPUSD Community,

‘Tis the season of gratitude!

We are so fortunate to be a part of South Pasadena Unified School District. Our outstanding teachers and excellent staff encourage our students every day and provide them with the tools they need to learn and grow. Expressing gratitude helps individuals cope with changing times, and gratitude may be nurtured and grow with regular practice. Trying new things may help all of us cultivate and experience gratitude on a regular basis.

There are many community events taking place over the next few weeks and all ages are invited to participate. Tap your feet with the dancers, sing with the choir, and hum along with the band. The unwavering support of our teachers, staff, school administrators, school board, and parents helps us build a strong, student-centered public school community. 

We encourage everyone, including parents of younger children, to attend some of the following middle school and high school performances:  

• SPHS Marching Band Friends & Family Night, November 20, 7:30 p.m., Ray Solari Stadium
• SPMS & SPHS Choir Concert, December 4, 6:30 p.m., SPMS Auditorium
• SPHS Winter Dance Concert, December 6 & 7, 7:00 p.m., Anderson Auditorium
• 5th Grade Band Concerts, December 9, 5:00 p.m. Arroyo Vista, 6:00 p.m. Marengo, 7:00 p.m. Monterey Hills, SPMS Auditorium
• SPMS Band Concert, December 10, 6:00 p.m., SPMS Auditorium
• SPMS Orchestra Concert, December 11, 6:30 p.m., SPMS Auditorium
• SPHS Winter Instrumental Concert, December 12, 7:00 p.m., Anderson Auditorium

Working together helps make our District a great place to teach and a great place for our students to learn. Thank you to the South Pasadena Educational Foundation, PTAs, and Booster Clubs for their generous, year-round support. We are able to offer a multitude of robust programs and activities because of these organizations. They also go above and beyond by creating community engagement activities for SPUSD families to socialize and grow together.

Thank you for your support and your advocacy. And special thanks to our teachers and staff. You may find that taking time out for a student performance this holiday season is just what you need to lift your spirits and give you hope for the future. 

Warmest wishes for a happy holiday celebration. Thanksgiving break begins on November 25, and we look forward to seeing the students back at school on December 2.

Kindly,

Geoff Yantz, Ed.D.
Superintendent