Dear Desert Sands Educational Community:

This is a turbulent time in our country. The tragic death of George Floyd and countless others before him has further exposed continuing racism and injustice. As the nation responds to this horrific incident, it serves as a painful reminder that we have a lot of work to do. Through the lens of unity and hope, I ask you to lean into this challenge by engaging in bold conversations. These will not be easy conversations, but they are necessary conversations.

I am proud to work in Desert Sands Unified School District with a family of employees who are committed to a set of core values, including relationships, respect, inclusion, kindness and equity. United, we stand with fellow California educators in our condemnation of acts of hate and violence, and embrace our role and responsibility in changing the narrative.

As we began celebrating The Class of 2020 this week, I could not help but reflect on the tremendous burden this generation has inherited. Yet, as these wonderful young persons smiled for a photo, diploma in hand, I felt hope, hope for a better future. Although it’s not the world our graduates aspired to inherit, it’s a world that needs them more than ever before.

As an educational community, it is imperative to honor victims of racism, violence, and social injustice by strengthening the conversation and advocacy regarding social issues and systemic inequality in our schools, our state, and our nation.

Sincerely,

Superintendent of Schools
Desert Sands Unified School District