As we approach the end of the school year, I want to take a moment to reflect on our achievements and express gratitude for the collective effort that made this year a success. It has been a year filled with growth, resilience, and a commitment to our priorities of improved academics, whole child support, meaningful communication, developing facility and maintenance master plans, and a strong focus on improved safety.

First and foremost, I want to applaud our students for their dedication to their academic pursuits and personal goals. We have hundreds of graduates who obtained grants and scholarships to prestigious universities and local colleges, plus many students serving our country in the military and others gaining direct employment upon graduation. Whatever our students’ passions and goals, we have prioritized collaborative efforts to prepare all students for success.

Regardless of job title, I want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of all our staff and their dedicated support of our students. They show up every day committed to helping keep them safe while providing innovative enriching learning opportunities that prepare our students to define and achieve their dreams.

In addition to our focus on academics, we placed a strong focus on safety, launching the Standard Response Protocol for consistent terminology during an emergency, WeTip 2.0 for anonymous tip reporting in secondary schools, the first phase of camera installation, piloting wearable emergency technology, and various other safety improvements. 

Clear and effective communication is also paramount in maintaining strong connections between students, parents, teachers, and staff. By strengthening our lines of communication, we have worked diligently to build a stronger sense of community and more effective partnerships.

Our commitment to the well-being of the whole child has remained at the forefront of our efforts. We will work with community partners to ensure that the academic, physical, social, and emotional needs of every student are met. We will provide our students what they need when they need it so they learn and thrive.

There is so much to look forward to in the coming year. We will continue to build upon our successes and address areas for improvement. I am excited about the future of Newport-Mesa Unified. Working together, we will continue to create an environment where students thrive academically, where thoughtful communication fosters increased collaboration, and where the well-being of students is prioritized. We also will remain steadfast in our continued commitment to the implementation of enhanced safety initiatives districtwide. 

Thank you to all members of our school community for your outstanding efforts this year. 

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wesley Smith
Superintendent
Newport-Mesa Unified School District