Embracing the New Year: Fostering Growth and Learning

Hello Saddle Mountain community, welcome back after what I hope was a restful winter break. As we turn the calendar to 2024, we are focused on our mission of educating all students to become responsible, college-and-career-ready community members. We continually foster growth and learning, because in the Saddle Mountain Unified School District, Everyone learns every day.

I’d like to recognize our December Saddle Mountain Spotlight recipients. Our classified Spotlight Mayra Gavia, district office receptionist and secretary. Our certified Spotlight Dr. Hilary Renard, science teacher at Ruth Fisher. We also recognize our STAR award recipient for second semester, Bill Morgan, crossing guard at Desert Sunset and longtime district volunteer. Ms. Gavia, Dr. Renard, and Mr. Morgan will be recognized at the January Governing Board meeting. 

I also want to recognize our wonderful governing board. January is National School Board Member Recognition Month. Our school board members spend countless hours of unpaid time working to provide the best possible education for our students. They also serve as elected officials that represent their local communities. Please join me in celebrating board member Amy Amaral, board member Bernadette Delacruz, board member Dan Blackson, governing board clerk Bonnie Hudson, and governing board president Paul Roetto. On behalf of the Saddle Mountain community, thank you for all you do. 

I’m excited to announce the launch of our revamped, modernized, and improved district website. You can find all the same information you did previously, but in an updated and more modern format. We will continue to add to the website throughout the semester. We are also close to launching the Saddle Mountain app. If you have not done so already, please respond to the Google form request we have sent asking for your updated email addresses. The District’s new communication platform uses email addresses to make sure you do not miss out on vital district and school communication. As soon as we wrap up training at all school sites, the app will launch. This is tentatively scheduled for next month. Please stay tuned for updates. 

We are hosting a teaching job fair here at the Saddle Mountain district office on Saturday, February 24, from 9:00-12:00. If you are interested in joining the Saddle Mountain team or know somebody who is, please attend or send them our way. As always, thank you for your continued support. We’ll see you next month, right here, on the Saddle Mountain Shout Out.

Dr. Mike Winters
Superintendent