Dear Albany Unified Families and Community,
Welcome to the 2026–27 school year! I hope your summer has been filled with time to rest and enjoy family.
The beginning of a new school year is one of my favorite times. Our campuses come alive with energy, classrooms are ready for learning, and we have the privilege of welcoming both new and returning students. Every school year is a fresh start and another opportunity to help every student learn, grow, and discover what is possible.
As we prepare to welcome students back on Wednesday, August 12, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has worked so hard to make this moment possible. Throughout the summer, staff across Albany Unified have been preparing our schools and classrooms for a joyful, welcoming, and successful start to the year.
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A tremendous amount of work happens behind the scenes to get our schools ready for the fall. Throughout the summer, our District Home Office team and our custodial, maintenance, grounds, and facilities staff have been hard at work:
- Cleaning and preparing classrooms and campuses for opening day
- Completing repairs and improvement projects
- Hiring and onboarding new staff
- Readying curriculum, instructional materials, and technology
- Coordinating student services, budgets, and the many other details needed for a successful opening
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Our teachers, school site staff, and administrators have also been busy preparing for the year ahead by:
- Planning engaging learning experiences
- Organizing classrooms and learning spaces
- Collaborating with colleagues
- Preparing to welcome and support every student
A special thank you to our K–5 teachers who chose to attend the optional Fishtank professional learning this summer. Thank you for investing your time in learning our new English Language Arts curriculum and preparing to provide our students with a strong start this year.
Much of this work happens behind the scenes, but it reflects the incredible commitment of our Albany Unified team. Thank you for the care, professionalism, and heart you bring to our students and community.
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Today, August 10, teachers and paraeducators returned for a day of professional development and districtwide Welcome Back activities, including a noon All-AUSD picnic at AMS. |
As we begin the year, I ask for everyone's partnership in keeping our students safe during arrival and dismissal. Please:
- Slow down in school zones
- Follow the directions of crossing guards and school staff
- Use designated loading and unloading areas
- Do not park in red zones, unauthorized spaces, or block crosswalks and driveways
- Put your phone away while driving
- Be patient and give yourself a few extra minutes during drop-off and pick-up
A few extra moments of patience can make a big difference in ensuring every student arrives at school and returns home safely.
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Throughout last year, we listened carefully to our students, families, staff, and community. That feedback helped shape our work and sharpen our focus for the year ahead. |
What We Want for Our Students
Our three goals describe the experiences and outcomes we want for every student in Albany Unified:
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Equitable, inclusive, and rigorous learning so every student is challenged and supported to reach their full potential.
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Whole-child success and belonging so every student feels safe, connected, known, and supported.
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Strong partnerships with families and our community so we share responsibility for helping every student succeed.
How We Will Get There
To make progress on these goals, we are focusing our work across four key areas:
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Teaching and Learning: Providing high-quality curriculum, professional learning, and instructional resources that support excellent teaching and learning.
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Systems and Operations: Strengthening the systems, staffing, facilities, and operations that allow our schools and classrooms to work effectively.
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Safety and Belonging: Continuing to improve physical and emotional safety so our schools are welcoming places where students can thrive.
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Educational Technology: Making thoughtful decisions about technology that support teaching and learning while responding to the needs and concerns of our community.
Simply put, our goals are what we want for our students. Our focus areas are how we will work together to make those priorities a reality.
At the heart of this work is our belief that we are One Albany Unified. While our roles may be different, we share one purpose: ensuring every student is known, challenged, supported, and inspired.
This year, we will also continue developing Albany Unified's Profile of a Graduate with input from students, families, staff, and our community. The Profile will define the knowledge, skills, and dispositions we want every Albany Unified graduate to develop and, together with our priorities, will help shape our long-term Strategic Plan.
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Thank you for your partnership and for everything you do to support our students. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on August 12 for another great year of learning together. I wish you and your family a fantastic start to the 2026–27 school year!
With gratitude,
Sara Stone, Ed.D.
Superintendent, Albany Unified School District
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