District Highlights
Week of August 28, 2026
Week of August 28, 2026
🏫💙💛 Willow Elementary Welcomes Families for Back to School Night! 🌟📚
Willow Elementary welcomed families for an exciting Back-to-School Night, bringing students, parents, teachers, and staff together to connect and prepare for a successful 2026–2027 school year. Throughout the evening, parents and students had the opportunity to meet teachers, visit classrooms, and learn more about the academic programs, classroom expectations, and learning experiences that await them this year. Families also explored a community resource fair, where they received valuable information about programs, services, and resources available to support students and families throughout the school year.
A special thank you to Principal Melissa Cerda and the entire Willow Elementary team for creating a welcoming and engaging evening for our students and families. Back-to-School Night reflected this year’s EMPOWER / EMPODERAR theme by strengthening relationships between students, families, teachers, and the school community. By staying connected and engaged, we continue to empower our students to take ownership of their learning, build confidence, and achieve success throughout the school year! 💙
🏫💙💛La Mirada Elementary Welcomes Families for Back to School Night! 🌟📚
On Thursday, August 26, 2026, La Mirada Elementary School welcomed families for Back-to-School Night, bringing the school community together to kick off the 2026–2027 school year. Families received important school updates and visited classrooms to connect with teachers, learn about classroom expectations and academic programs, and hear about the exciting learning experiences planned for students throughout the year.
A special thank you to Principal Julie Pretzer and the entire La Mirada Elementary School staff for creating such a welcoming, informative, and meaningful evening for our families. Back-to-School Night brought this year’s EMPOWER / EMPODERAR theme to life by strengthening the connection between home and school and providing families with valuable information and resources to stay engaged in their children’s education.
Together, we continue to EMPOWER our students to learn, grow, and succeed!
🏫💙💛 Smythe Elementary Welcomes Families for Back to School Night! 🌟📚
On Thursday, August 27, 2026, Smythe Elementary School welcomed students and families for a wonderful Back-to-School Night celebrating the start of the 2026–2027 school year. The evening provided families with an opportunity to connect with teachers, visit classrooms, and learn more about the academic programs, classroom routines, expectations, and engaging learning experiences planned for students this year.
Families also had the opportunity to explore a community resource fair that connected them with valuable programs, services, and information to support students and families throughout the school year. The evening was a great way for families to become more familiar with their school community and learn how they can remain actively involved in their children’s education.
A special thank you to Principal Dr. Rebecca Moore and the entire Smythe Elementary School staff for making Back-to-School Night a welcoming and informative experience for our families. The evening highlighted this year’s EMPOWER / EMPODERAR theme by building strong connections between home and school and empowering families with the information and resources they need to help their children succeed. Together, we look forward to a great year of learning, growth, and achievement at Smythe Elementary! 💙💛
Congratulations, Board Vice President Rosario, on this important appointment and for continuing to represent the San Ysidro School District at the regional and statewide levels!
Willow Students Step Into the School Year with New Vans! 👟💙💛
On Saturday, August 22, 2026, several Willow Elementary School students participated in a special Vans shoe giveaway, where each student had the exciting opportunity to select a new pair of shoes of their choice. Seeing the smiles and excitement on our students’ faces made the event especially meaningful.
This wonderful experience was made possible through the generosity and partnership of the San Diego Police Department’s Gang Intervention Unit (GIU) and Community Youth Services (CYS), Panera, and the Vans Store at Mission Valley. Their commitment to giving back and creating positive experiences for our students is greatly appreciated.
A special thank you to Officer Jesus Estrada and the SDPD team for their continued partnership with Willow Elementary, as well as to Principal Melissa Cerda, Outreach Consultant Darlene Herbert, and Special Programs Liaison Cristina Inzunza for their coordination and commitment in making this experience possible for our students. This event was a wonderful example of what can happen when our schools and community partners come together for our children.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this special day possible for our Willow Roadrunners! 👟💙💛
👩🏫👨🏫🤝📚 Principals Engage in Collaborative Professional Learning 💡✨
San Ysidro School District principals participated in collaborative professional learning focused on strengthening Tier 1 instruction through a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and whole-child lens. In partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE), principals connected and aligned prior professional learning while deepening their understanding of research-based literacy, language development, and instructional practices designed to promote academic achievement, student belonging, and overall well-being.
The professional learning session provided principals with meaningful opportunities to reflect on current practices, collaborate with colleagues, and identify shared leadership actions to support the effective implementation of high-quality instruction across classrooms throughout the school year. The collaborative approach reinforced the importance of strong instructional leadership and a shared commitment to meeting the academic, social, and emotional needs of every student.
The District extends its sincere appreciation to Mrs. Rodriguez, Coordinator of Federal & State Programs and Language Acquisition, and Mrs. Sandra Cephas, Coordinator of Multilingual Education & Global Achievement, San Diego County Office of Education, for their leadership, expertise, and commitment to providing an excellent professional learning experience for our principals.
🎓 HACU College and Career Fair – Free Community Event!
Students and families are invited to attend the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) College and Career Fair on Sunday, November 1, 2026, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center in Chula Vista. This FREE event is open to students, families, community members, and career-ready professionals.
Middle school, high school, and college students will have the opportunity to meet representatives from local and national colleges and universities and learn about undergraduate and graduate admissions. Attendees can also connect with employers from across the country to explore student internships and employment opportunities.
We encourage our San Ysidro School District students and families to take advantage of this opportunity to begin exploring future college and career pathways! 🎓
📅 Sunday, November 1, 2026
⏰ 2:00–5:00 p.m.
📍 Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center
1000 H St., Chula Vista, CA 91910
💼 Join the San Ysidro School District Team!
Looking for an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students? Click on the EdJoin link to explore current employment opportunities with the San Ysidro School District. We invite passionate, dedicated, and talented individuals to join our team and help empower every student to learn, grow, and succeed. Your next career opportunity could be just one click away! 💙💛
