September 2026 Superintendent Newsletter

Dear Walnut Creek School District Families and Staff, 

As we step into September, I want to thank you for helping us get the school year off to such a great start. I have enjoyed spending time at each of our schools, visiting classrooms, attending Back to School Nights, and connecting with students, staff, and families. One of my favorite parts of these first few weeks has simply been being on our campuses, seeing our students engaged in learning and hearing directly from them about their experiences.

Thank you to all the families who joined us for Back to School Night. These evenings are an important opportunity to connect with teachers, learn more about what is happening in your child’s classroom, and build relationships early in the year. Thank you to our staff for all the preparation that goes into these evenings and to our families for making the time to attend.

Thank you as well to everyone who has joined me for a Superintendent Coffee Chat. I have really enjoyed these conversations and appreciate the questions, ideas, and perspectives families have shared.

During these gatherings, I talk about our District Strategic Plan, share some of my vision for WCSD, answer questions, and, most importantly, listen. A big part of my first year is getting to know our community and learning what people value about WCSD, as well as where we can continue to improve. At the center of my vision is a simple belief that every student should be known, valued, challenged, and supported by name and by need.

I hope you will consider joining me at an upcoming Coffee Chat. For those who cannot attend during the school day, I will also host Community, Cookies & Conversation on Wednesday, September 30, from 5:30–6:30 p.m. at the District Office. I hope to see you there.

It has been exciting to see students and staff enjoying the newly renovated spaces at Walnut Heights, Buena Vista, and Murwood. In just nine weeks, more than $30 million in Measure J improvements were completed at these three schools.

Completing that much work in such a short period of time was a huge undertaking. I am grateful to everyone who helped make it happen and to our community for investing in our schools.

I also want to recognize the continued support of the Walnut Creek Education Foundation (WCEF) and our school PTAs. So many of the programs and experiences our students enjoy are strengthened by these partnerships. Thank you to everyone who gives their time, energy, and resources to support our schools. Looking beyond our immediate District, our neighbors at the Acalanes Union High School District are navigating a challenging budget landscape. Nearly all of our WCSD students will one day walk those high school hallways at Las Lomas, and the strength of our high schools impacts our entire community. I strongly encourage all WCSD families to stay informed about AUHSD's financial picture and take a closer look at the Measure W campaign as it moves forward. Our public schools are the heart of Walnut Creek because of the shared commitment of our parents, staff, and neighbors. Thank you for your continued partnership, generosity, and unwavering support of our students.

That support also includes the hundreds of family and community members who volunteer across WCSD. Thank you for your patience and partnership as we implement our updated volunteer requirements. Already, 700-plus volunteers have completed Live Scan fingerprinting through the District, and 400-plus have completed the required Mandated Reporter Training. We know these additional steps require time and effort, and we truly appreciate everyone who has completed the process. Your involvement makes a difference, and these requirements help us keep our schools safe and welcoming for all students.

Across WCSD, community collaboration continues to drive outstanding results for our students.

Middle School Student Wellness Trends: Increased sense of school connectedness campus-wide and a steady decrease in reported chronic sadness.

These numbers reflect our whole-child approach in action—creating environments where students feel safe, supported, and ready to thrive. Thank you to our exceptional staff, resilient students, and supportive community for making these achievements possible. For more information, review our  WCSD 2025-2026 End-of-Year Success Report.

Being at school matters. Starting as early as preschool and kindergarten, regular attendance is essential for students gaining the academic and social skills they need to thrive. Research shows that when students are chronically absent, which means missing 10% or more of the school year (18 days over an entire school year), they are less likely to read proficiently by third grade, achieve in middle school, and graduate from high school. In addition to learning losses, students also miss opportunities to develop socially and build problem-solving and self-regulation skills, all of which are needed to grow and learn. Last year, 9% of our students missed more than 10% of the school year. We are here to partner with families to improve attendance in the 2026-27 school year.

WCSD is participating in California’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), which provides an opportunity for school districts to receive reimbursement from health plans and insurers for eligible mental health services provided to students.

This is important because it allows us to bring additional resources back to WCSD to support students and families.

Families can help by making sure their insurance information is entered and current in Aeries. Please review our CYBHI Page for additional information.

We are off to a great start. I will continue to be out at our schools, visiting classrooms, talking with students and staff, and finding opportunities to connect with families.

Thank you for your partnership and for the trust you place in us each day. I look forward to seeing you around our schools and hopefully at an upcoming Coffee Chat or Community, Cookies & Conversation.

Superintendent