August 15, 2018

Dear South Pasadena Unified Parents,

Welcome to the 2018-2019 school year!  It is with great excitement that we kick off a new year of continuing to offer outstanding educational opportunities at our South Pasadena schools.

This school year brings new curricular choices for high school students including Multi-Cultural Literature, Engineering and Design Development, and Biomedical Innovation. At SPMS a new English Language Arts curriculum will be implemented.  With financial support from SPEF, a Digital Citizenship program will be offered at all schools, providing students with the foundational skills needed to navigate the digital world safely.  Additionally, a deeper level of counseling support will be provided at all schools. 

You may see some new faces around the schools and District office – please join me in welcoming our new colleagues.  While our students were out enjoying the hot summer, the staff at the schools were preparing for another school year. Their hard work, particularly during school breaks and holidays, does not go unnoticed and is critical to our success.  Many teachers participate in summer training and devote much of their time off ensuring they are well-equipped to provide the best education possible to the youth of South Pasadena.  SPUSD employees are the difference makers!  Please take an opportunity to thank them for their service to our school community. 

The space where we learn is continuously improving. Since July, the students and community have been enjoying the new athletic fields and courts at SPMS. We are looking forward to the new STEM building at SPHS, which will be completed and occupied in January 2019.  The transformation of the old gymnasium at the middle school to a black box theater, art room and flex lab will begin in spring 2019.

While education is our mission, safety continues to be a top priority.  Over the last several years physical enhancements have been made to the schools as well as modifications to our emergency procedures.   Training efforts will continue this year with an emphasis on responding to threats on campus.  Be sure to read your school’s newsletter for periodic safety information.  Thank you to the parents, faculty, staff, and administrators for your contributions to the school and district safety committees. 

Finally, I encourage you to show your children the importance you place on their education by participating in SPEF, PTA, SPMS/SPHS Booster Clubs, and other school/classroom volunteer opportunities.  It takes all of us to keep SPUSD a destination school district for families in the years to come. 

Happy First Day of School~

Geoff Yantz, Ed.D

Superintendent