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Dear San Marino Families and Community Members,
Welcome back to the 2023-24 school year! This year promises to be another exciting year for the San Marino school community. I am truly honored to serve as your Superintendent and extend my sincerest appreciation for the generous support you continue to extend to me and my team of educational leaders. My team and I continue to share a deep and abiding commitment to our students and sustaining high-performing schools with our Board of Education and the San Marino community. I know that together, we will continue to build on the many successes of the past in academics, arts, athletics, activities, and other enrichment opportunities provided to all students.
San Marino Unified School District is committed to preparing students to be highly successful in their post-graduation studies and work, be engaged global citizens, and be productive contributors to the world. As we continue to refine our work with high-quality and innovative instructional practices and learning activities enhanced by cutting-edge technology tools, we will continue to personalize our approach to educating the whole child while focusing on the needs and talents of each and every individual student. Teachers and students will continue utilizing the latest technology to research, communicate, think critically, and solve real-world problems. We are equally committed to supporting our student’s mental health and social-emotional well-being, supporting teachers in student-centered shifts in teaching and learning, and supporting counselors as they address the emotional, physical, and social barriers that can inhibit student success, and supporting parents and families in navigating the many challenges of educating and supporting children in our current social climate.
Throughout the upcoming school year, we will further enhance our connections to the community as we engage our families and stakeholders in authentic conversations about what our vision of education looks like for students in the future; especially, as it relates to our school facilities. As SMUSD leadership develops a comprehensive plan to guide the District’s school facilities needs assessment and facilities master planning process, we will listen to teams of students, teachers, counselors, administrators, parents, and community stakeholders to identify needs and develop priorities for our work in San Marino over the coming years.
There is much to be done this year in supporting new programs, campus safety, and security, addressing increasing facility needs, transparently communicating the values, mission, and vision of our Board and District, and authentically involving our community in appropriate ways to help continue a course built on relationship, trust, and honesty. I hope you see, as I do, the tremendous opportunities for us to continue growing as a school community while developing this culture together. Each of you, our highly valued stakeholders, are essential partners in our students' success; we value and encourage your involvement and feedback.
As we begin this new chapter together, I am filled with gratitude for the unwavering support of our students, families, community, dedicated educators, staff, and education partners. Together, we will create a nurturing and inspiring learning environment for our students, empowering them to reach new heights of success. I look forward to this journey as we launch the 2023-24 school year on Wednesday, August 9.
Warmly,
Linda de la Torre, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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