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Back to School Night Principal’s Address

August 14, 2025

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Introductions

Board of Trustees

      • President Elliott Hazen
      • Clerk Jennifer McNeery
      • Laura Ottmar
      • Beth Shammas
      • Mike Wachs

Superintendent

      • Dr. Linda Adamson

Cabinet

      • Josh Jorn
      • Buck Roggeman
      • Yolanda Cork-Anthony
      • Dr. Larry Haggquist

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Vision

See every student equipped with the knowledge, skills, and mindsets to pursue the future of their dreams.

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Core Values

    • Integrity

Words and actions align. Recognize trust is built over time. When I misstep or need to renegotiate, I admit my mistake and communicate.

    • Human-Centered Kindness

Every individual deserves to be seen, heard, and treated with kindness and respect.

    • Growth

Look for opportunities to grow and learn from others. Process of continuous improvement in teams. Recognize strengths and gifts of each individual. Ground decisions in data.

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Emily-

Personal

  • Family
  • Introvert
  • Faith
  • Travel, eat, learn
  • NY, LA (Palos Verdes), Berkeley, NOLA, Monterey/Salinas
  • Taiwanese/Japanese with extended family in Japan, Taiwan, Brazil, Germany, Hong Kong and Sweden
  • Not good at decorating, event planning, keeping up with trends

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Emily- Professional

  • 28th year in public education
  • Teacher/TOSA/Trainer/Administrator
  • Rural Louisiana, LAUSD, MPUSD, NMCUSD, PGUSD
  • Teach for America
  • Passion for equity and social justice
  • Love data and continuous improvement work
  • GenEd, SpEd, Intervention, College/Career (inc CTE/DE),

Multilingual Learner Programs, Early Literacy, Adult Ed, community partners

  • CDE- RLA/ELD IMAP and ELD Expert Panel
  • CSBA Admin Exchange to China, Fulbright to Argentina
  • Culture/Climate

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Family Expectations

    • Arrive on time and ready to learn.
    • Treat all with kindness and respect.
    • Communicate with your teacher when you have questions.
    • Remind students that cell phone and communication watches are to be TURNED OFF during school hours.
    • Ensure your child gets enough sleep at night.
    • Get involved in our school, as you are able.
    • Please adhere to our District Wellness Policy.

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What you can expect from me

    • Regular communication through weekly newsletters. (Please read.)
    • I will be in classrooms often throughout the week.
    • Open to ideas on making our school even better.
    • I will make mistakes and learn from them.
    • Response within 48 hours excluding weekends and holidays.
    • Promenade with the Principal
  • September 3- Mental Health Therapist and Counselor

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Attendance Campaign

    • Monthly recognition
    • Perfect Attendance
    • No more than one tardy (<30 minutes)
    • No more than two Dr. appointments
    • Please stay home if sick

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Justifiable Absence Requests for Independent Study

    • Must be submitted two weeks in advance.
    • Must adhere to due date set by teacher.
    • If the completed assignment is not submitted by the due date, the absence will be considered unexcused and will count toward truancy.

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Culture of “We” Opportunities for Involvement

    • School Site Council

-1st mtg will be Monday, Aug 19 at 3:30PM

    • PTA (PTA President Nikki Lucido)

-PTA Planning Thursday, August 21 at 5:30PM on the Playground

    • Classroom volunteers, playground and noon supervision, chaperones.
    • Guest speakers, cultural display

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PG PRIDE

Frank Rivera

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Thank You

  • 5th Grade will remain in Ottertorium for the first part of their presentation.
  • All other classes, please meet at the classroom. Maps are available
  • Additional areas to visit:
    • Garden- Taste some of the harvest!
    • Check lost and found!