October Newsletter

Posted Date: 10/04/25 (5:00 PM)

Santa Rita Union School District

Superintendent's Newsletter

Falling Into a Great School Year!

As the leaves begin to change and cooler temperatures settle in, October brings with it a sense of reflection and renewed focus. We are now well into the school year, and I’m proud of the strong start we've had across our district. The energy in our classrooms, the dedication of our educators, and the enthusiasm of our students continue to inspire me daily.

This month, we also recognize Bullying Prevention Month—a meaningful opportunity to reinforce our district-wide commitment to kindness, respect, and safety for every student. Our schools are hosting a variety of activities and lessons focused on empathy, inclusion, and standing up for one another. These efforts align with our core values and support the social-emotional growth of all students.

Fall is also a time for family engagement. Whether it’s attending parent-teacher conferences, supporting extracurricular events, or simply checking in on your child’s progress, your involvement makes a significant difference. Together, we can continue building a strong foundation for every student’s success.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. I look forward to the learning, growth, and accomplishments the rest of this season will bring.

Wishing you a safe and joyful October.

Dr. Melissa Alderman

📅 Upcoming Events & Reminders

End of Quarter - Tuesday, October 7th
Board Meeting - Wednesday, October 8th & October 22nd.
No School - Monday, October 13th - Professional Development Day
End of 1st Trimester - Tuesday, October 28th

Bullying Prevention Month - See something, say something.

National Bullying Prevention Month

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. As a school community, we want to encourage everyone to stay informed about the signs of bullying, the impact it can have, and what to do if you see it happening.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines bullying as behavior that is:

Unwanted: The behavior is not wanted by the victim.
Aggressive: The behavior involves some form of aggression, such as physical force, threats, or intimidation.
Repeated: The behavior happens more than once or has the potential to happen again.

Acts of bullying may involve physical contact, words or gestures, or social exclusion. Bullying can happen in person or online.

The signs of bullying include:

Physical signs: bruises, cuts, torn clothing, missing items
Emotional signs: changes in mood, withdrawal from friends and activities, anxiety, depression
Behavioral signs: aggressive behavior, changes in eating or sleeping habits, truancy
Social signs: being excluded from activities, being made fun of or called names

If you see bullying happening, it's important to do something. Here are some things you can do:

Talk to the bully and tell them to stop.
Talk to the victim and offer your support.
Report the bullying to a trusted adult, such as a teacher, counselor, or parent.

If you or someone you know is being bullied, there are resources available to help:

Together, we can create a safe and supportive school community for all students!

Recognize the signs, speak up, and report bullying. Together, we can make a difference.

In addition, Care Solace is available 24/7/365 to connect individuals to care. Call 888-515-0595 or visit caresolace.com/santaritaschools.org

#BullyingPrevention #StopBullying #SafeSchools

Poster that reads "It starts with you. If you see, hear, or know something, say something!

🏗️ District Office Construction Update

Construction is still underway at the District Office. While our office remains open, please note that the main entrance has been temporarily relocated to the west side entrance (adjacent to GVMS soccer field).

We encourage families and community members to call or email whenever possible, as many needs can be addressed remotely.

If you need to meet with a specific district staff member, please contact them directly to schedule an appointment.

(831) 443-7200

santaritaschools.org

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to improve our facilities!

Meet Our Trustees

Image of Jacob Sandoval wearing a blue colored, button-down shirt.

Jacob Sandoval - President, Area 5

Jacob Sandoval, our School Board President, recalls that one of his favorite memories as a Trustee was attending his first graduation in his new role. He had the honor of reading the statement confirming that students had achieved the requirements for promotion, an experience made especially meaningful because he himself was once a student in the Santa Rita District.

Mr. Sandoval grew up in the Santa Rita community and attended Santa Rita Elementary School from second through fifth grade, later continuing on to Gavilan View Middle School. His deep roots in the district have shaped both his perspective and his commitment to serving its families.

He was inspired to become a Trustee out of a desire to improve schools and ensure that parents had a strong voice in the process. For Mr. Sandoval, advocacy on behalf of families is central to his role, and he strives to make sure the Santa Rita Union School District Board reflects the community it represents.

Looking ahead, Mr. Sandoval hopes to create stronger learning environments that provide students with the solid foundation they need to succeed in life.

💬 Stay Informed with Our Communication Tools

We use several platforms to keep you up-to-date on school and district news:

ParentSquare - for school announcements and classroom updates.

Aeries - used to manage student data like grades, attendance, and more.

District Website - for calendars, news, and resources

Social Media – follow us on Instagram & Facebook for real-time updates