Weekly Superintendent Update 8.28.26

Dear Sierra Unified Community,

The new school year brings with it so many new and continued opportunities for our students. New goals, new activities, new friendships, and new experiences are all part of what makes the beginning of a school year so exciting. But to truly embrace these opportunities, our students need to be present—every day, ready to learn, participate, and grow.

We are especially excited to kick off our fall sports season! Congratulations to our Sierra football team on an exciting home-opener victory Friday night! Whether you are cheering on our football team, volleyball teams, or one of our many other fall sports, we encourage our families and community members to get out and support our students. These events are about so much more than competition. They are opportunities to see our students demonstrate teamwork, perseverance, leadership, and character. We are incredibly proud of the way our students represent Sierra Unified both on and off the field.

In our classrooms, we are excited to continue the important work we have begun in literacy and mathematics. Our teachers and staff have been intentional about strengthening instruction, using student data to guide our work, and providing students with the support they need to reach their full potential. While there is still much work to be done, our preliminary results are very encouraging, and we are anticipating significant gains for our students this year. We know that when we combine skilled, dedicated teachers with engaged students and strong family support, our students can—and will—continue to excel.

As we begin this school year, I encourage all of us to make attendance a priority. Every day matters. Every lesson matters. Every opportunity matters. Being present gives our students the greatest opportunity to learn, participate, build relationships, and discover what they are capable of achieving.

Thank you for continuing to support our students, our schools, and one another. There is so much to be excited about as we begin another year together. I look forward to celebrating the many successes that are ahead for our students and our Sierra Unified community.

Measure U Update
     • New Gym Sound System: A big thank you to the Sierra Athletic Boosters and Sierra Foundation for partnering with the district
       to purchase a new sound system for the large gym! We look forward to welcoming our students, families, and community back
       into the gym on October 1, with air conditioning and crisp, clean sound.

    • Cafeteria HVAC: The cafeteria wall has been completed and backfilled, and the underground conduit has been installed. The           crane is scheduled on September 9 to set the HVAC unit and electrical equipment.

    • Large Gym Ducting: Ducting in the large gym is nearing completion and is scheduled to be painted next week.

    • Wrestling Room HVAC: The HVAC unit for the wrestling room has been set, with ducting scheduled to be installed next week.

    • Electrical Tie-Ins & Cooling: Both electrical tie-ins are scheduled for September 12, with the units expected to come online
      around September 14.

Sincerely,
Dr. Lori Grace 
Superintendent, Sierra Unified School District