Superintendent's Weekly Update

August 28, 2026

Dear PUSD Families,

I want to share a recent story highlighting the continued growth of our agricultural Career Technical Education (CTE) program.

The program is expanding in exciting ways, giving students hands-on experience in animal science, veterinary science, agricultural business, sustainable agriculture, natural resources, and more. We are also creating opportunities for middle school students to begin exploring agriculture and FFA earlier in their education.

This week, I had the chance to join our CTE teachers and staff for their Back-to-School meeting. Across Poway Unified, these educators support students in a wide range of industries and career pathways. What connects all of that work is a shared goal: helping students see how what they are learning today can connect to opportunities after graduation.

That connection matters.

Students do not need to have their entire future mapped out in middle or high school. Most of us would probably be in trouble if we were still following the plan we had at 15. But students should have opportunities to explore their interests, try something new, build real-world skills, and discover possibilities they may not have considered before.

That is also why I hope families will join us for our College and Career Fair on September 15, 2026, at Westview High. Students and families will have the opportunity to connect with colleges, universities, employers, military recruiters, and other organizations while learning more about the many pathways available after high school.

Whether a student already has a clear idea of what comes next or is only beginning to think about it, experiences like these can help turn possibilities into something more real.

Thank you to our CTE teachers, staff, and community partners who continue to create these meaningful opportunities for PUSD students.

Sincerely,

Ben

Thursday, San Diego FC goalkeeper and Design39Campus alumnus Duran Ferree returned to school to make sure students kick the year off right.

Ferree handed out school supplies, met with students and past teachers, and signed autographs as part of San Diego FC’s Back-to-School campaign. In addition to receiving school supplies, students had the opportunity to talk with Ferree about his journey through education, into pro soccer, and what his favorite parts of school were at D39. Read More

Black Mountain Middle School unveiled its new classroom space providing students with specialized instruction on living skills, vocational training, and social development.

The space features access to essential equipment for the school’s Extensive Supports Special Day Class, which provides students with accessible and supportive space to learn and thrive, including instructional space with a fully functioning kitchen and laundry area, and a shared sensory center and occupational therapy space. Read More

Garden Road Elementary School teachers received a special surprise donation of supplies and kits as they begin the new school year. Representatives from Poway Honda visited GRES and dropped off school supplies and several teacher appreciation kits, containing items like index cards, sanitizer and tissues, markers, sticky notes, stickers, and toys for students.

The donation was part of a larger campaign to bring more than 2,300 kits to more than 60 elementary schools across the country. Read More

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teachers hosted a Back-to-School Night on Thursday, bringing together Poway Unified's CTE community to set this school year's focus.

The event offers a valuable space for teachers to network across different pathways, build a stronger community, and drive cross-disciplinary collaboration.

The San Diego County Office of Education is hosting a Family Digital Wellness Series, designed to support families in building healthy, positive, and balanced relationships with technology.

The series will cover a variety of important digital wellness topics and provide families with practical tools and strategies they can use at home. You can view the complete schedule, dates, topics, and registration information online here.

• Employment Opportunities
• New Student Enrollment
• Board Meeting Agenda and Minutes
• Board Policies and Administrative Regulations Updates
• District Calendars

• September 7, 2026 — Labor Day
• September 9, 2026 — Motivating Unmotivated Kids: Practical Strategies for Responsibility, Cooperation, and Independence (Registration Info)
• September 14, 2026 — My Kid Isn’t Bad: Understanding What Your Teen is Really Saying (Registration Info)
• September 15, 2026 — CTE College Fair at Westview High School (Info)
• September 15, 2026 — Raising Pre-Teens in Immigrant and Multicultural Families (Registration Info)