Superintendent's Weekly Update
September 19, 2025
Happy Friday PUSD!
Thank you to our Board members and colleagues who joined us for the 60th Annual Poway Rotary Parade last weekend. It was wonderful to see our community come out to support our participating school sites. I know our students were thrilled to see so many familiar faces cheering them on.
This week, I also had the chance to visit several school sites to see what’s new and exciting. Our educators are some of the most creative minds in education, and it shows in the way they engage students and spark curiosity in their classrooms. It was inspiring to watch their innovative strategies in action—and just as inspiring to see how enthusiastically students responded. A big thank you to the students and staff who welcomed me to campus.
Finally, you may remember our “Straight from the Supe” series from last year, where I answered questions and shared updates about the district. This year, we’re trying something new. I’m excited to introduce our “Made Me Smile” series, which will spotlight the amazing work happening across our schools. You can see what made me smile during this week’s visits on our Instagram channel here.
Sincerely,
Ben
Helpful Honda Honors Laura Gonzalez-Garcia for Extraordinary Service to Families
The Helpful Honda Team celebrated Laura Gonzalez-Garcia, a dedicated parent liaison and community volunteer at Valley Elementary. They surprised Laura with a gift of school supplies, books, art materials, and a $500 gift card to help students in need.
Nominated by Poway Library staff, Laura was recognized for her tireless work connecting local families with vital resources. She volunteers countless hours, organizing cultural events, distributing supplies, and collaborating with community partners to ensure everyone has the support they need. Her recognition highlights both her extraordinary service and the district's commitment to celebrating diversity and fostering inclusivity. Read the full story here.
Poway High’s Carissa Jones-Fletcher Surprised with $1,000 Gift
Poway High School's Carissa Jones-Fletcher was recently honored with a surprise $1,000 gift from the College Football Playoff Foundation as part of its "Big Day for Teachers" celebration.
A finalist for County Teacher of the Year, Carissa was recognized for her dedication to student success and inclusivity. She founded the school's Unified Sports P.E. program, which brings together students of all abilities, and her work has become a model for the entire district. Learn more about this celebration here.
Del Sur Garden receives $5,000 grant from Sprouts
RBHS Ribbon-Cutting Opens New MakerSpace
A ribbon cutting event was held on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at Rancho Bernardo High School to mark the opening of the campus’ upgraded MakerSpace technology lab.
The upgraded space, which includes state-of-the-art 3D printers, new work spaces, exercise bikes, and other low-tech tools that students can borrow, was funded through a Neighborhood Reinvestment Program grant from the County of San Diego that was awarded to the RBHS Friends of the Library. See the ribbon-cutting event here.
Support the Dream to STEAM Campaign
The PUSD Foundation recently announced the launch of its annual Dream to STEAM giving campaign, which helps fund Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) opportunities for students across our district. Because Poway Unified receives the lowest per-pupil funding of any unified school district in San Diego County, the Foundation plays a vital role in bridging the gap to provide the experiences our students need to thrive.
Click here to learn more and donate today!
2025 PUSD College & Career Fair
Poway Unified high school students are invited to the 2025 PUSD College & Career Fair featuring nearly 100 representatives from colleges, universities, trades, and military.
Thursday, September 25, 2025
5:15-7:15 p.m.
Mt. Carmel High School
Click here to learn more about this great event!