The La Cañada Unified School District held its first annual State of the District event on Monday to celebrate the districtwide accomplishments over the school year, which also included performances from students.
“Tonight, we celebrate the many new achievements and milestones from the 2023-24 school year,” said LCUSD Superintendent Wendy Sinnette. “All of those achievements and milestones have been guided and directed by the LCUSD Governing Board, and for that we are all so grateful. Tonight is an opportunity for us to showcase the amazing programs and services throughout our district, and the incredible talents of our amazing students.”
Presentations came from district staff and administrators and principals from all LCUSD schools about the achievements and the status of programs at their respective schools and departments.
Student performers included the La Cañada High School honor choir, the LCHS color guard, the La Cañada Elementary chorus and the Paradise Canyon Elementary fifth grade ukulele class, to name a few.
LCUSD Board President Josh Epstein shared some enrollment statistics, academics being offered and how many students are involved computer science, world language and music and drama.
The district has 3,951 students enrolled and hopes to grow that number to pre-pandemic enrollment of 4,100 to 4,150, he said.
Sinnette read off a list of accomplishments that the district completed this year, including its strategic goals, the upcoming Sagebrush transfer vote and growing enrollment.
“All of this has come to fruition over the course of this year, truly demonstrating that we are a learning community committed to personal growth and academic excellence, and indeed, as our tagline states, ‘our success is intentional,’” said Sinnette.
District staff highlighted a series of topics, like professional development opportunities for teachers and staff, behavior intervention for students, budget development, food services, new tech initiatives and website changes.
Carrie Hetzel, principal of Paradise Canyon Elementary School, spotlighted students and staff members for their work to implement respect, responsibility and safety on the campus.
Meanwhile, Palm Crest Elementary Principal David Santiago-Speck highlighted training that is available for teachers to implement additional instruction strategies, and how the campus has been undergoing an extensive modernization project, which includes new classrooms, a new science lab and a new wellness center.
“One thing that makes our schools in La Cañada world class is the ability to offer art, music and drama to all of our students,” added Santiago-Speck. “We also have a STEAM lab at our site, with hands-on activities around robotics and coding that gives students knowledge of computer basics starting at TK.”
Principal Kelly Duncan from La Cañada Elementary talked about the many opportunities available for students to get involved on campus, like the student council, the lion pride choir and the lions really care club.
Duncan also highlighted the LCE wellness center, known as “The Spot.”
“This exists to support the emotional and behavioral needs of students by providing a place to regulate their minds and bodies,” said Duncan. “In this space, free from distractions, students are able to take a moment to self-reflect, talk with a friend about their feelings, learn skills and solve problems with the goal of returning their focus to academic engagement and healthy peer interactions during the school day.”
LCHS 7/8 Principal Jarrett Gold highlighted the small school structure, where students are split into two groups and have the same core teachers for deeper connections and support. He also mentioned the different ways the school is able to support students by providing a wellness center, office hours and peer tutoring.
LCHS Principal James Cartnal not only highlighted students and their many accomplishments, but also the school’s graduation rate.
“Traditional measures of success [include] our remarkable graduation rate of 99%,” said Cartnal. “Of those [students], 95% elect to continue their education and institutions of higher learning, [while] the other 5% go to the military, choose to work or take a gap year and so on.”
Assistant Principal for LCHS, Adam Almeida, highlighted the school’s many extracurriculars, like visual preforming arts, athletics, science and engineering.
“Ultimately, what sets La Cañada apart is our commitment to fostering a community of belonging,” said Almeida. “We believe that everyone needs a team, a support system that uplifts and empowers them to be successful through unity, compassion and collaboration. Thank you to all of you in this room for your unwavering support and dedication to the success of our students and all of our extracurricular programs.”
Sinnette thanked all those in attendance, adding, “It is truly inspiring to witness the work of a literal village united together to support and ensure the best for its children.”
Epstein said he hopes that the community joins the district in this event next year, making it a “long tradition to come of celebrating and recognizing all the amazing students, parents and staff who make our district great.”
First published in the May 2 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
