CARLSBAD UNIFIED CONNECTIONS

Carlsbad Unified students have arrived, pencils sharpened and Chromebooks charged, ready for the new school year. They are meeting their new teachers, reconnecting with friends, and getting comfortable in their new digs. Ready to Learn. A feeling of excitement and anticipation. The 2025-26 school year is underway.

But, in CUSD, the work didn’t stop over summer vacation.

School Summer Projects

Custodians were busy summer-cleaning the classrooms and helping teachers to get their rooms ready for returning students. Landscaping teams were working to beautify the campuses, and the maintenance staff was making needed repairs inside and out.

Measure HH Upgrades

Measure HH projects geared up, taking advantage of student-free campuses to get to work. Buena Vista Elementary School began preparations for its campus-wide modernization. Continuing with its two-year renovation project, Aviara Oaks Elementary School received enhanced outdoor learning spaces, upgraded field areas, and improved traffic flow for greater safety. At Aviara Oaks Middle School, construction progressed on a new two-story building that is on track to open by Spring Break 2026. Pacific Rim Elementary School saw upgrades to fire alarm and access control systems and work in preparation for a new eight-classroom building.

Summer Programs for Students

Hundreds of students attended summer school for continued academic support, enrichment, Extended School Year (ESY) for students with special needs, and high school credit recovery. Nearly 100 English Language Learners attended a special Summer Language Academy at Jefferson Elementary, sharpening their skills to be ready for fall and develop their multilingual skills. And, through a partnership with Carlsbad Educational Foundation, many CUSD students participated in weekly summer camps to explore art, robotics, music, and other opportunities.

Sizzling Summer Workshops

In preparation for Back to School, 130 teachers returned from their vacation early to attend the Sizzling Summer Workshops, designed for TK-12 teachers to hone their classroom skills or to learn something new. The workshops offered a wide array of topics, many led by teachers from within the district, allowing attendees to select sessions based on their interests. Technology and AI? Literacy and Reading? The new California Math Framework? Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and neuroeducation? These topics and many more were offered, and reviews by those who attended were positive.

Board Actions

The school board named Dr. Bryan Brockett as Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services, and Emily Yamasaki as Aviara Oaks Elementary School’s new principal.

Back to School Kick Off

On August 14, Teachers, counselors, custodians, and all certificated and classified employees celebrated the opening of school with a rousing Back to School Kick Off at Carlsbad High School. Sage Creek and Carlsbad High School cheerleaders waved pompoms, while ASB students served coffee, water, and snacks, and sent T-shirts flying into the crowd. School and district staff members, well-represented by spirit shirts of all colors, enjoyed the reunion with hugs and laughter.

CUSD’s new Superintendent, Dr. Andrea Norman, welcomed the enthusiastic gathering with a warm greeting, sharing her key vision—people working together to have a positive impact on students every day. Dr. Norman introduced this year’s theme: UDL in Action—Elevate Every Learner, with the shared goal of ensuring that every CUSD student receives an exceptional educational experience—one that offers rich, meaningful opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive.

Keynote speaker Dr. Kevin Fleming challenged the audience to “make education relevant, purposeful, and future-focused to prepare every learner to thrive.” Teachers then selected from a variety of break-out sessions that expanded on this theme, including using Universal Design for Learning tools to make learning accessible, flexible, and engaging for each student.

Carlsbad Unified is back. Our students are ready. 2025-26 is going to be an inspiring year.