Impossible as it seems, the year 2022 is already on the horizon. I can genuinely look toward the new year with hope and excitement. When I began in the superintendent’s role, I believed we had a strong team of teachers…
Dear Friends, It has been such a pleasure to welcome children back to our campuses for in-person instruction. On one hand, it seemed as though it had been forever. On the other, once the students were back together at school,…
Our Board of Education and Superintendent were presented with an Honorary Service Award from the Cupertino Fremont Sunnyvale Council of PTAs (CFSPTA) on May 26 recognizing their flexibility, dedication and commitment this past school year. Congratulations to Board Members Michelle…
Dear District Family, Decades from now, when I reminisce about the past and share with young family members about school during a pandemic, they may not believe there was a time when children were unable to set foot on campus….
Dear Friends, It has been nine months since I became superintendent of the Sunnyvale School District, and I am finally able to welcome our students back to school. Our gradual phased return to in-person instruction began March 18, and each…
Dear Friends, As we head into the December Holiday Recess and the new year, it is an appropriate time to reflect upon all that we have learned and all that we have achieved in 2020. Certainly, this has been the…
Dear SSD Family, It is my great pleasure to welcome you to our district for the 2020-21 academic year. While I wish we could welcome students back to our physical campuses today, I am excited about the opportunities our virtual…
Sunnyvale School District has appointed Dr. Michael Gallagher, a longtime educator, and administrator within the District, as its new superintendent. The Board of Education made the announcement at a special board meeting on April 9, 2020. Dr. Gallagher will begin…
Dear SSD Family, I never imagined I would be transitioning to retirement at a time when our campuses are devoid of students, but I will settle for quiet hallways and empty playgrounds if it helps to keep our children safe….
District and school leaders and school programs have been receiving local and state recognition these past few months and we want to celebrate them all! Columbia Middle’s Mary Grace Votran named Outstanding Educator at Murphy Awards Administrators and board members…
Dear Friends, I think that many of us who become educators do so because we want our work to matter. We love children and believe that we can help to bring out the best in them, making a long-term impact…
Dear Friends, I think being an educator is the best job in the world. We have the rare honor of helping children develop from curious school newcomers to confident, sophisticated learners. The youngest ones charm us right away, revealing emerging…
Dear Friends, In my experience, children always come back from summer with plenty of stories to tell, and as educators, we love your children’s stories! They help us get to know our students, shining a light on the complex influencers…
Congratulations to SSD Superintendent Benjamin Picard and Columbia Middle School’s Mary Grace Votran who will be recognized at this year’s State of the City event on September 14th! This annual event recognizes exceptional members of our community and attracts more…
Dear Friends, There are so many things that make Sunnyvale a great place to be an educator: neighbors who care about our children, a Silicon Valley backdrop, and a climate that allows for year-round outdoor exploration. But our single greatest…