Dear IUSD Community,

Spring is upon us – our students have returned from spring break and we at the District office are as enthusiastic as ever! As a student, I remember the excitement after spring break knowing that summer was around the corner. Later as a teacher, I realized the last few months of school are ones of increased focus and in many ways are bittersweet. I was happy to see all that my students accomplished but also sad to see them leave my classroom. As this school year approaches summer break, I am grateful for the dedication and commitment of our staff to our students’ success. As testing gets started, IUSD teachers are being proactive and getting in front of issues, adapting and modifying lesson plans, and supporting our students in their academic journeys. As a State Administrator, this is the time of year where we begin to see the results from the hard work of our diligent teachers and our studious pupils. At the District office, we are eager to complete current projects and begin to prepare for the launch of the next school year.

I am happy to announce that our Five-Year Strategic Plan is nearly complete! The process included input from students and parents, classified and certificated staff, and community stakeholders. Last month, I shared our four anchoring pillars that will guide and frame our work. This month, I want to share with you how this bold plan will address student learning, encourage a continued focus on teaching and learning. Witnessing the work of the planning team that includes teachers and principals, makes me excited for this document to become our focus next year as we continue the transformation of IUSD.

A part of the strategic plan is the redesign of Woodworth Elementary and Monroe Magnet Middle School. The instructional program, with its Sports and Health Sciences theme and partners like Project Lead the Way (PLW), will position the new school for deeper collaboration and articulation with Morningside High School. This redesign will contribute to more strategic and enduring relationships with our local community partners and help us improve our schools.

Spring time is also known for spring cleaning. IUSD has many exciting facilities projects that are underway, from the demolition of old portables at Payne and Bennett Kew, to the installation of new playgrounds and shade structures at Oak and Highland. In addition, we have begun the process of bidding out projects for the Woodworth Monroe merger and the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) funded projects at Payne and Morningside.

The success of our students remains one of our top priorities. As Spring begins, we want to acknowledge their achievements this year, as well as prepare for the next. With the community’s continued support for our students and families, our collective work is sure to produce results that will help our students thrive. As we move towards the tail end of the school year, I feel joyful and honored to be a part of the Inglewood team and I am looking forward to graduation.

Thank you.