Dear Calistoga Joint Unified Families,

Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year! Welcome to a new school year filled with opportunities for your student(s) to learn, achieve, and excel at the highest levels.

I am thrilled to share some momentous news that marks a significant milestone in our district’s journey. After a comprehensive, year-long process involving invaluable input from our students, dedicated staff, supportive families, and the wider community, our Board of Trustees has unanimously voted 5-0 to approve our new Mission Statement and Tagline!

This has been a truly collaborative effort, reflecting the collective voice and shared aspirations of everyone who contributes to the Calistoga experience. We are incredibly proud of the thoughtful engagement that went into crafting these statements.

These statements are more than just words; they are the heart of who we are and where we are going. They will serve as our guiding principles, uniting us in our shared purpose and inspiring every action we take.

Our New Tagline: Empowering Students, Building Futures

Our New Mission Statement: At Calistoga, we empower students to graduate with respect, empathy, integrity, and the skills needed for success in life and work. We provide a supportive, inclusive environment where students gain essential academic knowledge, critical thinking abilities, and real-world skills. Our goal is to ensure all students feel a sense of belonging, are prepared for future opportunities, and graduate with pride, resilience, and a passion for lifelong learning.

As we start the 2025-2026 school year, we will intentionally communicate and demonstrate how the incredible work we do every day, and the rich experiences we provide for our students, fit directly within the framework of this Mission Statement and Tagline, as well as our upcoming learner outcomes.

The staff has continued to work hard and plan for the upcoming school year. Our staff worked all summer (both on and off campus) preparing for the new year. They too are excited to begin the year and are looking forward to working with your students on a daily basis.

As you and your students walk back on to campus you will be welcomed with many physical changes. At CES, we are under construction of our new TK/K wing at the back of the campus. At the JSHS, the new STEM building will be open, we have updated 4 other classrooms, and the field is underway with our homecoming games being played on September 26th.

The 2025-2026 school year will continue to build upon our strengths as we imagine what the future holds. We will continue to prioritize reimagining our school model to better serve students and families. There will be opportunities to integrate your input into the process so students’ education experiences and outcomes better reflect the strengths and needs of our community, including co-defining parent engagement and support. If you are interested in being a part of this work, please reach out to your student’s principal.

We believe that you play a vital role in the educational process. We have planned many opportunities for us to work together to provide students with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and experiences they need to contribute to and participate in society. We look forward to hearing from you and working together throughout the school year.

I encourage you to attend our school and district events. I am committed to ensuring our students receive a world-class educational experience. Please feel free to contact me should you have ideas, questions, or comments.

It is only through working together and supporting each other in this work that we can serve your children in helping them attain their dreams.

Sincerely,

Audra Pittman, Ph.D.

Calistoga Joint USD