Soquel Scoop # 1
Welcome to the 2026-27 School Year in SUESD!
đź‘‹ Hello SUESD Families,
I hope you have had a great summer. We are so excited to welcome your children back to our schools tomorrow, Wednesday, August 5, 2026. Please find traffic and construction information in this edition and my beginning-of-year message for 2026-27.
SUESD Superintendent’s Message for the Start of the 2026-27 School Year
Dear SUESD Families,
Welcome to the 2026–27 school year. I hope your summer has included time for rest, connection, and meaningful moments with family and friends. As we begin a new year across our TK–8 schools, I want to thank you for your continued partnership and support.
Last year, our district made important progress in student attendance. SUESD achieved a 95.5% attendance rate, surpassing our pre-COVID attendance rate for the first time. This is an accomplishment worth celebrating, and it reflects the shared commitment of families, students, teachers, staff, and school leaders. We also continued to reduce chronic absenteeism, bringing us much closer to pre-COVID levels.
Consistent attendance matters. When students are present, connected, and engaged, they are better positioned to learn, build relationships, and experience success. As we move into 2026–27, we will continue working with families to support strong attendance and reduce barriers that may prevent students from being at school each day.
Instructionally, we will continue our focus on mathematics. This does not mean that other subject areas are less important. Reading, writing, science, history/social studies, the arts, physical education, and social-emotional learning all remain essential parts of a well-rounded education. At the same time, our student achievement data show that mathematics is an area where focused attention can make a meaningful difference. Across all grade levels, our educators are working to strengthen students’ math skills, confidence, and problem-solving abilities. We are also committed to narrowing achievement gaps so that every student has access to the support, challenge, and encouragement needed to thrive.
In addition to academic growth, SUESD remains deeply committed to maintaining safe, welcoming, and inclusive campuses where students feel valued, connected, and ready to learn. We know that students do their best when they feel a strong sense of belonging and support at school.
Thank you for entrusting us with the education and care of your children. We take that responsibility seriously, and we are grateful for the opportunity to work in partnership with you. I look forward to a successful 2026–27 school year and all we will accomplish together.
Sincerely,
Scott Turnbull
SUESD Superintendent