March was a joyful and active month across our schools, filled with spring conferences, student performances, PTA gatherings, family learning events, and informal connection points such as Coffee and Donuts with the Principal. These moments continue to strengthen our partnerships with families and help students experience school as places where they are known, supported, and connected. Across the district, students and staff also recognized and celebrated important cultural traditions, including Eid and Holi, creating opportunities for learning, reflection, and shared joy while deepening our collective understanding of the diverse identities that shape our community. At a time when many of us are navigating uncertainty and competing demands, these moments of positivity feel especially important, reminding us of the power of connection, hope, and the essential role schools play in nurturing both learning and well-being.

At Albany High School, Diversity Week was a meaningful example of student leadership. Students organized opportunities for dialogue, reflection, and celebration centered on identity and inclusion. Their efforts helped reinforce the idea that belonging is something we build together through everyday actions and shared experiences.

This work directly aligns with our district's focus on strengthening belonging and improving attendance. When students feel a sense of connection to their peers, their teachers, and their school community, they are more likely to engage in learning and attend school consistently.

As educator and scholar, Dr. Bettina Love reminds us, “Joy is a form of resistance.” Creating spaces where students experience joy, affirmation, and purpose is essential to strong learning environments and thriving school communities.

We are grateful to our staff and families for the care and commitment they bring to creating welcoming and engaging schools. Together, we continue working to ensure that each and every student experiences both academic growth and a deep sense of belonging.

Creating school environments where students feel safe, connected, and valued remains at the heart of our work, with an ongoing focus on attendance, student leadership, and wellness supports that strengthen a sense of belonging.

On March 20, teachers and staff came together for districtwide professional learning led by our own educators, centered on literacy, mathematics as a civil right, and meaningful student engagement. It was energizing to see the care, creativity, and expertise in our classrooms as we continue to deepen equitable, rigorous learning for all students.

The Board of Education approved the K–5 Fishtank ELA curriculum and payment for grant development services that helped secure nearly $1.1M in funding (Strong Workforce and CTEIG), supporting expanded opportunities for our students.

Planning is underway for Albany Unified’s next Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) for 2027–2030. We are beginning this process by inviting our community to help define what an Albany graduate should know, be able to do, carry in their hearts, and be prepared for as they leave our schools. Throughout the 2026–27 school year, students, staff, families, and community members will have opportunities to share input that will help shape our district’s priorities and direction.

If you have not yet done so, we encourage you to share your thoughts as we work together to define this important North Star, our Portrait of a Graduate.