Dear IUSD Community,
As each school year comes to a close, it is a time of reflection and a source of pride as we celebrate the many outstanding achievements of our students and honor our committed teachers, staff and families. On behalf of the IUSD Board of Education, we are grateful for our partnership with the IUSD community that has spanned 50 years since the District was unified in 1972. Without question, you are the “US” at the center of IUSD, which has enabled our school district to provide the highest quality educational experience we can envision for generations of students.
Thank You for a Wonderful Year
Congratulations to our 2022 graduates and promoting students! We would also like to commend and thank our more than 36,000 students for their resiliency, perseverance and character that they continue to demonstrate. You are at the heart of our work and it is an honor to serve you.
Thank you to our dedicated teachers and staff for their service to our students, families and community. The evidence of your commitment to continuous improvement and the student-centered initiatives taking place throughout our District each and every day is not only impressive but also what makes IUSD so special. Your impact is critical to our students’ success and to helping ensure they are prepared for challenging colleges and careers.
To our families, thank you for your unparalleled partnership, engagement and countless volunteer hours, that not only benefits your children but our school communities as well. We greatly appreciate your collective contributions in helping to support and prepare students for bright futures.
Reflecting on Accomplishments and Looking Forward with Optimism
The final weeks of the school year bring wonderful opportunities for student performances, showcases, competitions, end of year activities, graduations, promotions and much more. It is an exciting time and we hope you and your students are filled with a tremendous sense of joy in what they have accomplished as we head into the summer months. With the many demands for time and attention placed on all of us, it’s also important to stop and take a moment to reflect on positive achievements, no matter how big or small.
To this end, you may find some information in our Optimistic Household series, launched in the summer of 2020, helpful in connecting with your students and reinforcing a positive mindset. Although Optimistic Household was set in the early days of the pandemic, much of the information in this six-part series is still relevant and includes activities and resources that may be helpful. Module topics include themes such as happiness and gratitude in challenging times, the importance of social connections, managing stress and anxiety, and opportunities to embrace a growth mindset. Also, please visit IUSD’s Prevention and Intervention webpage for more information and services for students and families.
Our Continued Partnership with the IUSD Community
Finally, we recognize that our nation has experienced serious challenges, especially within the last two years, on many fronts, and most recently with the events of last week in Texas. I want to assure you that important conversations and collaboration will continue as we move forward together. One such opportunity is IUSD’s School Safety Presentation on Tuesday, June 7 at 6:30 p.m. during our upcoming Board Meeting. This event is open to the public or may be streamed live and will be recorded for playback on demand. Click here for more information.
Throughout the summer we will continue to share our 50th Anniversary Spotlights, information about IUSD’s partnership with CHOC and the Orange County Department of Education to bring WellSpaces to IUSD secondary schools, and other news related to the District through IUSD Insights, on our website and via social media.
Best wishes for a rejuvenating and safe summer.
Sincerely,
Terry L. Walker
Superintendent of Schools
Irvine Unified School District