The Santa Barbara Unified School District opened its schools with a renewed — and collective — commitment to connections, unification and optimism.

And, in aligning as a district, the goals for the 2022-23 school year are quite clear, according to Hilda Maldonado, the district’s superintendent.

“This upcoming year the district goals include the use of a Multi Tiered System of Support approach to identifying and removing barriers; improving early literacy; ensuring best teaching practices for our emergent multilingual learners; and improved climate and cultures at all schools so that everyone has a sense of belonging and connection regardless of socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, language or gender identity,” Maldonado said.

“These are all pillars to what it means to be #WeAreUnified,” she said. “Our teachers, employees, parents and students demonstrated a true spirit of hope and joy as schools returned on Aug. 19 — with many teachers and administrators saying that ‘it felt like a pre-pandemic first day of school.’ ”

Creating early enthusiasm, before the first day of school, each school site hosted professional learning opportunities the week of Aug. 8, followed by a district-led kick-off event at San Marcos High School on Aug. 16. 

Also, a preliminary analysis of the diistrict’s state test scores shows gains for many student groups that surpass Santa Barbara Unified’s overall achievement, the disstrict reports. This included promising results at seven elementary schools, two junior highs and one high school — all showing growth in both math and English language arts.

“This exemplifies the rigor and commitment that Santa Barbara Unified teachers, support staff, students and parents have accomplished by working together,” said Maldonado. 

Greeted by the cheerleading squads from all three area high schools, the Aug. 16 kick-off event featured student speakers who talked about how teachers have impacted their lives. The community got involved as well with Westerlay Orchids donating an orchid for every employee in partnership with the students’ Flower Empower clubs, and the Santa Barbara Education Foundation donated gift cards.

There were T-shirt and sticker giveaways that pointed to the district’s new “#WeAreUnified” slogan that will be seen extensively.

The kick-off welcomed back returning staff and greeted nearly 100 new teachers and about 15 new school-site administrators, many of whom were promoted from within.

Only a handful of positions remain open, the district said, including an assistant principal at La Cuesta/Alta Vista, and a dean at Santa Barbara High. Both are being temporarily filled by retired administrators.

The district is in the process of vetting candidates for the recently vacated principal position at McKinley Elementary.

“Santa Barbara Unified is proud of the many employees, teachers, counselors, nurses, who have remained steady in their commitment to supporting all students and families despite their own experiences during the pandemic,” said Maldonado. “They are all heroes of the heart.”