MPCSD superintendent welcomes students back with vision for 2024-25 academic year

Writes Menlo Park City School District superintendent Kristen Gracia: “Our team has been hard at work preparing for what we are calling our best year yet. You may be wondering, what makes this year so special? MPCSD is launching a new vision that anchors to what is most important: our students. Given all the work we completed last year on strategic visioning, facility planning, and strategic directions, we are now focused and prepared to have our best year yet!

“The first part of our vision makes a lot of sense, especially during a time when public schools are being thrown in all directions and dealing with turbulent politics. Simply put, our job in public education is to teach students how to read, write, do math, and be kind. In MPCSD, we strive for excellence when it comes to the student academic experience; “education” in MPCSD is often above and beyond what you would find in other local public schools. Our students are empowered with opportunities to utilize their strengths and try new interests.

“The second half of our vision reminds us to stay in the moment for our students. In today’s world, our children are often experiencing a fast-tracked childhood with the encroachment of social media, a life of instant gratification, and full plates of over-scheduled enrichment. We have a responsibility to ensure they are experiencing the elements of childhood and adolescence that lead to developing their confidence while they are growing up. As a preschool through eighth grade district, embracing childhood and adolescence is on our mind, and our staff understand what is developmentally appropriate and essential during these vulnerable and formative years.”

Photo of Kristen courtesy of MPCSD