School Start Day Moved to August 22

Aug 20, 2023 | News

Dear San Diego Unified Colleagues,

Out of an abundance of caution, San Diego Unified is delaying the first day of school. Our first day of school will now be on Tuesday, August 22. We are making this decision based on the latest storm-related information from local officials. This storm is expected to impact our region most severely today, between 4 and 8 p.m., with strong winds and flooding expected in some areas, along with potential power outages and road closures. This may very well result in facility damage that may not become evident until Monday morning.

Postponing the first day will allow us to assess any impacts to sites and district offices and ensure that we are prepared to welcome our students and families to the new school year.

As we continue to monitor the weather and the impact in our community, I remain hopeful that the storm will continue to decrease in its intensity as it moves through our region. However, given the uncertainty of the weather and our need to thoroughly assess any impacts to our facilities, schools will be closed to students on Monday, August 21.

For staff, Monday, August 21 will be a work day and will provide additional time to prepare our sites for the first day of school on Tuesday, August 22. Staff should report to their worksite as usual, if you are able to do so safely, unless you hear otherwise from your direct supervisor.

We know the first day of school brings joy and excitement for staff and students. Thank you for your understanding and our collective desire to have the best first day of school possible for you, our students, and our families.

Please take care of one another and follow emergency guidelines.

It is important that you stay connected and informed about public safety conditions in our district and community. Consider signing up for Alert San Diego and visit the County of San Diego website to boost your family’s preparedness for this storm or any other emergencies.

Thank you for your partnership, and stay safe.
With much love,
Dr. Lamont A. Jackson
Superintendent of Public Education

Message from Superintendent

Aug 19, 2023 | News

Dear San Diego Unified Family,

I am honored to welcome you to the 2023-24 school year, which starts on Monday, August 21.

As you may know, San Diego County is expected to experience intense weather this weekend and into Monday, August 21, as a result of Hurricane Hilary. Based on our current information with the updated storm projections, we will welcome our students on Monday, August 21, 2023. Schools and staff have been preparing our schools and classrooms for what we expect will be a great first day.

We will continue to monitor the weather and the expectations of the tropical storm through the weekend. We will communicate with families and staff on Saturday and Sunday. Please follow your emails, phone messages, text messages, our social media, and our San Diego Unified School District website. Please know the health and safety of our students is paramount and if there is any indication of a significant change in the weather conditions that cause impact on school facilities or operations, we will make alternative plans for the first day of school and will communicate these changes. Until then, please look forward to a great first day of school on Monday, August 21.

It is very important that you stay connected and informed of the weather projections and encourage you to sign up for Alert San Diego and visit the County of San Diego website to boost your family’s preparedness for this storm or any other emergencies.

For any of our families who may be unhoused, please call 2-1-1 to obtain a hotel/motel voucher through the County of San Diego’s Inclement Weather Program.

I would like to thank you for allowing us to serve your children and their educational journey. I want to publicly thank our educators and all staff for their hard work preparing classrooms and schools as students return on Monday, August 21. Our staff is ready to respond to emergency situations with the primary commitment of ensuring every student, employee, family member, and visitor on our school campuses are safe.

Thank you for your continued partnership!
With much love,
Dr. Lamont A. Jackson
Superintendent of Public Education