Weekly Superintendent Update 10.23.26

Dear Sierra Unified Community,

The last two weeks have truly reinforced what it means to be Mountain Strong!

Whether our students are competing in FFA at the fair, earning co-league championships on the volleyball court, capturing league championships on the golf course, posting some of the largest gains on state tests in the classroom, or performing with our marching band, Sierra Unified students continue to demonstrate what makes our district so special. They compete at the highest 
levels against schools many times our size, and time and time again, they rise to the top.

How does this happen? If you were on the pool deck or in the packed gym Thursday night, you already know the answer.

This community shows up for our students.

Look into the stands at any given game, and you will find more than family members. You will see teachers and former teachers, friends, fellow students, and community members who simply want to be there to cheer on our kids. You will see a community that takes pride in every student and celebrates their accomplishments as if they were their own.

There is something truly special about the way this community wraps its arms around our students. They know they have a village behind them—a village that believes in them, encourages them, and shows up when it matters. That support creates a sense of belonging that reaches far beyond the classroom, the playing field, or the stage.

And our students give that same spirit right back. They serve their community, support one another, and carry a deep sense of pride in where they come from, no matter where life takes them. They understand that being part of Sierra Unified means being part of something bigger than themselves.

As superintendent, I could not be prouder of our students and the community that stands behind them. Our students' accomplishments are a testament to their hard work and determination, but they also reflect the strength of a community that invests in its children and celebrates their success.

Thank you for continuing to show up, cheer loudly, lend a helping hand, and remind our students that they are never standing alone. Thank you for demonstrating, day after day, what it means to be Mountain Strong and Sierra Strong.

There is no greater strength than a community that believes in its kids, and I am grateful to be part of this one.

With Sierra pride,
Dr. Lori Grace
Superintendent, Sierra Unified School District