Superintendent's Message

August 7, 2023

Dear TUSD Community—
Back on track. Ready to serve. Grateful for the opportunity to make a difference. All three of these actions summarize our motivation and intentions for the 2023-24 school year. Our classrooms are equipped with grade-level and subject-matter adopted curriculum, advanced technology and resources, and dedicated educators and leaders who have the expertise and interpersonal skills to encourage all scholars to want to learn and thrive. Our schools are prepared to accommodate the unique needs of their respective school communities, and my colleagues are poised and eager to recognize and celebrate similarities and differences among all with respect, compassion, and understanding. To this end, TUSD is eager to welcome all families to our new TUSD Family Resource Center to provide additional support and tools for accommodating the needs of their scholars.

Turlock Unified is a district filled with the old and new—enduring traditions and cutting-edge opportunities that reflect and highlight talented scholars in academic endeavors, visual and performing arts, career & technical education, and athleticism. Scholars continue to excel during their tenure in TUSD and carry it forward in their post-secondary journeys. Although traditions define the uniqueness of our District, what’s new, and yet to come, is filled with promise and intrigue. Eight years ago, I made well-being and personal growth a priority in TUSD for all leaders with the implementation of Gallup Strengthsfinder. Shortly afterward, it became a priority and opportunity for all staff and all 9th grade scholars within their 21st Century Skills course. Today, 46% of my colleagues and roughly 3,986 scholars, have reflected upon their top five Gallup Strengths to learn about their innate talents and understand how to maximize such in their current and future goals and experiences. Although many colleges and private industries have only recently begun to require strengths and personality assessments for new prospects, TUSD immediately recognized the benefits for scholars and staff as they strive for success and opportunities. Knowing my personal top strengths, while understanding Gallup’s full 34, has impacted my leadership and allowed me to build capacity in my colleagues so we’re intentionally using our own, and each other’s, greatest talents in our individual and collective efforts. We want the same for our scholars.

The first bell will ring on August 14th, and our schools and staff will be ready to inspire and educate scholars and engage families. We will continue to foster safe, inclusive cultures where connections and input matter most; everyone’s voice is equally important, particularly when it comes from a place of heart, resolution, and respect—it sets us up for mutually supportive partnerships that work effectively on behalf of scholars, families, and our school communities. Success is best when shared, and we’re excited to share it with you throughout the 2023-24 school year.

Sincerely,
Dana Salles Trevethan,
Superintendent