San Juan Unified School District

New stadium, new memories and new possibilities on the horizon! 🏟️🎓 On April 23, students, staff, families and community members celebrated the ribbon-cutting of San Juan High School’s newly modernized stadium. Upgrades include a new track and field, tennis courts, improved amenities, and enhanced safety and accessibility features. Hear from Principal David Levis and student Brenda Alcaide Navarro as they share how the stadium will serve students for years to come, strengthening school pride and creating a space where they can learn, compete and thrive together. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/gCwW-Fp9

San Juan Unified School District is proud to offer our staff continuous opportunities for professional growth and development. In partnership with our labor groups, the Cultivating Leaders program offers monthly workshops, shadowing opportunities, mentoring and chances to take on leadership roles. Renee Nicholson is a principal at Carriage Drive Elementary School and a first-time participant in this year’s Cultivating Leaders program. Learn how the program has helped her strengthen her confidence as a new principal in the video below.

San Juan Unified School District is launching a new mathematics curriculum for transitional kindergarten (TK) through eighth grade for the 2026–27 school year, designed to strengthen problem-solving, deepen understanding and build student confidence in math. Following a review process that included teacher input and classroom piloting, the district selected Thinking Math! by Innovamat for TK through fifth-grade and Amplify Desmos Math for sixth to eighth grade. Both programs support hands-on learning, real-world problem solving and meaningful math discussions. San Juan Unified is committed to providing an equitable and engaging math experience that prepares students for success in high school, college, career and life. Watch the video to hear from teachers and students who piloted the curriculum.

We're #hiring a new Transitional Kindergarten Teacher in Rancho Cordova, California. Apply today or share this post with your network.

Leading student success through reading! 📚 This school year, as part of a new state requirement, San Juan Unified began using the reading difficulties screener to understand each student’s needs better and provide support right away. From kindergarten through second grade, the screener helps our staff and families provide early support to students in building the skills that help them work toward reading proficiency by third grade. Available in English and Spanish, we seek ways to support our multilingual and newcomer students in understanding whether their reading challenges are related to learning English or may be a sign of a reading difficulty. Learn more about how early support makes a difference: https://lnkd.in/ddgDMUKY 

Today, we’re celebrating the dedicated school bus drivers across San Juan Unified School District who help safely transport our students every day. 🚌 For many students, bus drivers are a familiar and trusted part of their daily routine – often the first friendly face they see in the morning and the last one in the afternoon. From daily routes to field trips and activities across the district, they play a vital role in making sure students arrive safely wherever they need to go. 🚍 Thank you to our incredible school bus drivers for the care, consistency and commitment you show mile after mile, year after year. Happy School Bus Driver Appreciation Day! ✨🎉

Game day just got a makeover at San Juan High School! 🏟️🎀✂️ Today, San Juan High celebrated the ribbon-cutting of its newly modernized stadium, joined by students, staff, families and community members. The upgraded facility features a new track and field, tennis courts, improved amenities and enhanced safety and accessibility features. These improvements will serve generations of students for years to come, creating a space for athletics, school events and community gatherings. The project reflects San Juan Unified’s ongoing commitment to investing in modernized facilities that support students and empower them to thrive. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/g36Djafn

San Juan Unified is proud to share that Superintendent Melissa Bassanelli has been recognized by the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) as a 2025–26 Superintendent to Watch. Each year, NSPRA honors a select group of superintendents nationwide who demonstrate dynamic leadership and a strong commitment to communication. Superintendent Bassanelli was selected for her innovative approach to engaging school communities and expanding two-way communication with students, families and staff. Since stepping into her role in 2023, she has led with a clear focus on connection, transparency and student-centered decision making. From guiding the development of San Juan Unified’s strategic plan through authentic community voice to modernizing communication systems that improve access for families, her leadership reflects a deep belief that strong relationships are the foundation for student success. This recognition highlights not only her leadership, but the collective work happening across San Juan Unified to build a more responsive, inclusive and innovative school community. Congratulations, Superintendent Bassanelli, on this well-deserved honor! 🎉

Celebrating those who are ready to learn and those who make it happen! 🧸✨ During this Week of the Young Child, we recognize the dedicated staff who provide high-quality education, our young learners who show up ready to learn and supportive families who are there every step of the way. Thank you to our early childhood education staff who support our families from pregnancy and beyond.

Meet 2026 You Light the Way honoree, Keliah Owen! ⭐ Keliah is a student at Bella Vista High School whose advocacy and compassion are making a meaningful impact on her peers and school community. Keliah consistently steps up to support others, especially when she sees students being treated unfairly or excluded. She uses her voice to raise awareness, promote understanding and advocate for students of all abilities. She is committed to creating a school environment where every student feels seen, valued and included. Whether supporting peers in the special education community or advocating for students across diverse identities and experiences, Keliah leads with empathy and courage. Watch the video to learn more about how Keliah lights the way by creating a culture of inclusion and belonging for all students. ✨