Dear community member,
Last night, we gathered to celebrate Santa Cruz County’s school community. We heard from so many inspiring voices, including adult learners earning their high school diplomas, student leaders from Santa Cruz and Aptos high schools, one of our two 2025 Santa Cruz County Teachers of the Year, Ms. Brooker from PV High, and an essential partner in our school community, Erica Padilla-Chavez, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County.
Alongside that celebration, we spoke candidly about the real challenges schools face and the path forward. Even in a time shaped by declining enrollment and other pressures, the work happening across our county continues to reflect creativity, resilience, and deep care for students and families.
We also highlighted many of the inspiring efforts underway across our districts and here at the COE, from excellence in athletics to workforce housing, school safety, family engagement, student leadership, and programs spanning early childhood through adult education. Attendees also enjoyed a delicious meal of arepas prepared by Sequoia Culinary Arts Instructor Vrinda Quintero alongside current and former Sequoia High School students.
That same sense of energy and possibility was also on display at the STEAM Expo this past weekend. We were thrilled to host the event for the third year at the County Fairgrounds, where more than 30 regional partners led activities and exhibits for hundreds of families and students of all ages to highlight all things STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). Some of the talented young innovators and scientists featured there are continuing on to state and international science fair competitions, and we could not be more proud.
As most of us head into spring break, I wish everyone a well-deserved break filled with rest and — as Erica put it last night — nourishment, in every sense of that word.
Yours in education and equity,
Dr. Faris Sabbah
Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools