Superintendent's Letter - August 2026

Dear Walnut Creek School District Families,

Welcome back! I hope you and your family had a wonderful summer filled with time to relax, reconnect, and create lasting memories. As we begin a new school year, there is always a sense of excitement and possibility. Whether your child is starting kindergarten, entering middle school, or returning for another year, we are thrilled to welcome every student back to our schools.

As I begin my first school year as Superintendent of Walnut Creek School District, I am honored to serve this exceptional community. Over the past several weeks, I have had the opportunity to visit our schools, meet with staff, students, and families, and experience firsthand the pride, dedication, and commitment that make Walnut Creek such a special place. I also want to recognize the Walnut Creek Education Foundation (WCEF), whose partnership helps expand opportunities for every student in our district. Through the generosity of our community, WCEF supports programs and opportunities that enrich every student's educational experience, including art, music, science, library services, and expanded learning opportunities across our district. We are incredibly grateful for their ongoing support of our students and schools.

Behind the scenes, our teachers and district staff have been hard at work preparing for the first day of school. Classrooms are being readied, instructional materials and technology are being prepared, student devices are being updated, campuses are being refreshed, and construction projects at Buena Vista, Walnut Heights, and Murwood are nearing completion. From our teachers, custodians, maintenance, nutrition services, technology, transportation, office staff, and every member of our educational team, countless people have worked throughout the summer to ensure our students are welcomed into safe, engaging, and innovative learning environments.

As we prepare for the first day of school, below are a few important reminders and resources to help your family prepare for a successful start to the year.

2026–2027 Instructional Calendar 

The calendar includes important dates such as the first and last day of school, holidays, breaks, and other key instructional days to help you plan for the year ahead.

After a very successful partnership with our families and staff, we remain committed to very limited access to mobile devices during the school day to minimize distractions and promote a focused learning environment. We will continue enforcing our district cell phone/watches/earbuds/ mobile /technology Board Policy this year. When students enter class, all phones, smartwatches and earbuds must be turned off and placed in backpacks. Teachers will greet students at the door and backpacks will be placed on classroom hooks to minimize distractions. Our goal is to have a school day in which students spend their time interacting with their peers and teachers in real time.

Additionally, wellness has been a focus for our district and encouraging breaks from screen time began last year when we shut down our network during winter and spring break. We plan to continue this practice moving forward and appreciate the support we have received from our community. Again this year, we plan to limit access to our network further encouraging students to take a wellness break from screens. Our network will be available from 6:30am - 9:30pm Monday through Friday, Saturday from 9:00am - 12:00pm, and from 8:00am - 9:30pm on Sunday.

Volunteers are an essential part of the Walnut Creek School District community. We sincerely appreciate the time, care, and commitment you give to our students and schools. Thank you for partnering with us to create meaningful learning experiences. Learn more about the updated volunteer requirements for the 2026–2027 school year and the steps to become, or remain, an approved volunteer.

As we begin the 2026–2027 school year, I am excited about what lies ahead. I look forward to visiting our schools, meeting more of our families, celebrating student success, and working together to ensure every child has an outstanding educational experience.

Superintendent