Weekly Superintendent Update 10.2.26

Dear Sierra Unified Families and Community,

As we move into October, our first grading period is quickly approaching. This is an important time for families to check in with students and make sure they are on track—not only academically, but also with the daily habits that support success.

The time to act is now—not when report cards come home.

One of the easiest ways families can support their students is by checking Aeries regularly. Take a few minutes to look for missing assignments, check current grades, and make sure your student is staying on top of daily work. If you see missing work or have questions about your student's progress, please reach out to the teacher now. Our teachers and staff are here to help, but student success is a partnership. We need our students to do their part at school and at home, and we need our families to help reinforce those habits.

I often hear parents ask, "What can I do to help my child be successful?" My answer is simple: start before the grades come out. Check Aeries, monitor homework, ask your child about what they are learning, and communicate with the teacher when you have questions or concerns. Small interventions today can make a meaningful difference when report cards arrive.

Attendance Matters Every Day

I also want to remind our families about the importance of regular school attendance. We are beginning to see signs of a dip in attendance, and we want to address it early. Every day a student is at school is another day they have the opportunity to learn, participate, build relationships, and stay connected to their classmates and teachers.

This is particularly important for our TK and Kindergarten students. These early years are about much more than learning letters, numbers, and foundational academic skills. Students are also developing the habits, routines, and sense of responsibility that will serve them throughout their educational journey. Coming to school every day helps establish a habit that can last a lifetime.

We understand that illness and circumstances sometimes make an absence necessary. When your child must be out of school and the circumstances allow, please remember to reach out to your school site to complete site-based independent study. This provides an opportunity for students to stay connected to their learning and minimize the impact of an absence.

As always, our goal is for Every Student to Reach Their Potential—Every Day. That takes all of us: students doing their part, families staying engaged, and our staff providing the support and instruction our students need.

Measure U Modernization Update

We continue to make progress on the large modernization project funded through Measure U. The Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the project will be presented to the Board of Education for consideration on October 12.

In the meantime, our team continues to refine the project schedule and carefully review the bids received. This process will help us determine whether funding remains available to incorporate any alternate project items or whether current bids have exhausted the available project funds.

As we move closer to construction, we will continue to evaluate the project carefully to ensure that Measure U funds are used responsibly and that the community receives the greatest possible benefit from this important investment in our schools.

Thank you for partnering with us and for making student success a shared priority. 

With appreciation,