Dear community member,
As we are nearing the end of the fall term, I wanted to take this opportunity to share well wishes with your family during the winter break and holiday season.
It is always heartwarming to see how far so many in our school community go to give back to those in need this time of year. I also hope that each of you are able to take some time to rest, recharge and enjoy the company of your family and friends.
Yesterday I had the privilege of swearing in three returning Trustees on the Santa Cruz County Board of Education following their reelection earlier this year. With seven elected members, the County Board of Education fulfills an essential roll in representing and advocating for students across our county, and I am deeply grateful to each of our trustees for their continued service.
Winter Break begins next week for most Santa Cruz County schools. COE offices will be closed Dec. 23-26 and Dec. 30-Jan. 2, and this newsletter will also be on hiatus until the first Friday of the New Year. You can view academic calendars for the COE and all Santa Cruz County districts here.
Please also note the Winter Break schedule for Inspire testing and Inspire vaccine clinics, with normal testing and vaccine hours resuming the week of Jan. 9.
Looking ahead to the New Year, I am excited to see the collaborative work of our school community continue to expand. By focusing on wellness, safety and equity, I’m confident we’ll continue providing even more opportunities for all learners in Santa Cruz County to achieve and grow.
Thank you for all that you do to support our school community, and happy holidays to you and yours.
Yours in education and equity,
Dr. Faris Sabbah
County Superintendent of Schools