Believe. Belong. Become. Together We Climb, Together We Thrive.
Video ceated by Julie Farbarik
The morning opened with a beautiful performance by the Catalina Foothills High School Guitar Mini-Ensemble, directed by guitar teacher Jeffrey Good, offering a glimpse into the great talent coming out of the high school's guitar program and reflecting the district's strong investment in the arts.
Superintendent Denise Bartlett introduced our theme for the year, Believe. Belong. Become., believing in every student's potential, building a safe and welcoming community where they belong, and empowering every learner to grow and become their best self.In her own words, Dr. Bartlett captured what our work is truly about:
"Our vision is not simply that students leave us with knowledge. Our vision is that they leave us prepared to thrive in college, career, and life; equipped to make a positive difference in the world. That is both the privilege and responsibility of our profession."
Governing Board President Tom Logue also addressed staff, reinforcing the Board's commitment to our educators and our community.
Associate Superintendent Mindy Westover then recognized 84 staff members celebrating service milestones, from 5 to 30 years in our district!
We're especially proud to recognize two staff members celebrating 30 years of service: Principal Andrea Davidson (Sunrise Drive) and Mr. Jeff Fowler (High School). Thank you for three decades of dedication to our students!
The event closed with a heartwarming video, tracing the journeys of former students and celebrating the incredible people they've become. There wasn't a dry eye in the room. It's a beautiful reminder of why we do this work, and the lasting impact our educators have on students' lives. (The video is included at the top of this post.)
We're so grateful for the chance to bring our whole staff together before the school year begins — to reconnect, celebrate, and remember what makes our district such a special place to learn and grow.
