Dear Parents and Community Members,

It seems like the school year just started and here it is now November. I do hope the school year is going well for your children.

I recently had a parent mention that he had not seen as much communication from me as in the past about technology. While I certainly want to maintain good communication about all of our initiatives, I actually consider it a good thing that I have not had to write as much specifically about technology as in the past.  What matters most is that students and teachers are empowered to expand learning exponentially, that students are actively engaged and motivated in their studies, and that teachers and students are making meaningful context out of content.

It is, however, no secret that integrating technology into teaching and learning is a huge component in addressing these important areas. Technology expansion is occurring in our classrooms and schools at a rapid rate which really should come as no surprise. What business or industry, or even home for that matter, has not made technology a basic component of work or living in today’s world?   In large part due to financial support through the individual school foundations and the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation, we have seen a significant increase of laptop computers for the classrooms, interactive white boards, iPad and iTouches, improved audio enhancement, as well as a refreshing of equipment in our labs.  The district has supported this effort with staff development, expanding bandwidth to the schools, and by creating wireless learning environments as we transition more and more into mobile technology that more closely replicates what is happening outside the world of education.

Our commitment continues to be an emphasis on core academic curriculum, with rigorous expectations for high level student learning, made more  relevant and engaging through the integration of technology. The discussion should never be primarily focused on technology, but rather on how best to educate and prepare students for a flat world where curiosity, creativity, communication, collaboration and critical thinking will be valued alongside knowledge of important content. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and excited about what the future holds for our schools.  

Thank you for your ongoing support of our schools, our staff, and the children we serve. Have a great month of November.

Steven Enoch

Superintendent of Schools

PS - Please note the “Parent- Community” feedback survey link which is a new addition to our monthly newsletters. Your insight and feedback is valued and very important as we assess how we are doing and what the future priorities should be.   

Restoration of two “Budget Cut Days” means that school WILL be in session on February 18, 2011

The San Ramon Valley Unified School District has restored two of the four “budget-cut”(furlough) days for the 2010-2011 school year, one instructional day and one staff development day.

The school day that has been reinstated is: Friday, February 18, 2011

Monday, March 21st will now be a staff development day instead of a “budget cut” day which means that students will not attend school on this day but teachers will participate in professional development at their schools.       

This change is due to the district’s promise to its employee groups to return to the negotiation table to discuss any significant changes in its financial picture.  Enrollment growth, as well as some new federal stimulus funds, did improve the financial status of the district. The district in consultation with the employee groups agreed to restore two budget cut days to all employees.