Dear GUSD Staff and Families,

This is my last letter of the 2022-23 school year as well as my last letter as the proud Superintendent of the Gilroy Unified School District.  I have been relishing these last end-of-year milestones as our students begin the next steps in their journeys, as am I.  I want you to know that being Superintendent of this wonderful District is one of the great joys of my life.  I have only wonderful memories of the 16 years I spent here; raising my son, who graduated from Gilroy High in 2017, and meeting so many incredible students, staff members, and families.  

I am especially proud of the programs we have been able to bring to the students of GUSD to provide stellar academic and life-enriching opportunities to them.   I am proud of the progress that has been made in improving our school sites, including the construction of Christopher High School, significant improvements to the Gilroy High campus, and a total rebuild of both Brownell and South Valley Middle Schools.  And I will carry the heart of the Gilroy community with me forever.  Your support of our district and schools is part of what makes Gilroy great, and you have done it in big and small ways.  These contributions will be felt in GUSD for years to come, and I am so happy to have been a part of it.

As I take the stage at Christopher High School for my final graduation ceremony tonight, it will be a bittersweet feeling.  I am thrilled for the Class of 2023, and I know our graduates are off to do great things in the world.  I also know that I will miss these celebrations in years to come.  Our graduations are a reassurance to me that we are sending incredible people off into the world, and the future is bright with all of their potential.

Congratulations to our graduates from our four high schools (Christopher, GECA, Gilroy, and Mt. Madonna High Schools), as well as our Adult Education program for completing their educational journeys in our District.  It is time for you to start the next chapter of your life!
 
And kudos to fifth grade students who are moving to middle school and eighth grade students who are moving to high school next year.  The first day of school is August 16, 2023, for all students in our District, except for GECA students who return to campus on August 9. The instructional calendar for the 2023-24 school year is posted online in English and Spanish.  
 
Santa Clara County Library Summer Reading Program-- keep reading!
Once again, the Santa Clara County Library District is holding their annual summer reading program from June 1-July 31.  Participants can earn a prize for reading five books and completing one summer activity. The libraries in Santa Clara County, including the Gilroy Library, host an ongoing event calendar during the summer for people of all ages.  All events are free!   To register, and learn more, visit the Santa Clara County Library District website.  Support your student’s learning this summer while encouraging them to read!  Summer reading is critical, not only for helping kids maintain learning while school is out, but also for fostering social-emotional development, discovering the joy of stories, and elevating the importance of lifelong learning.
 
As the door closes on this school year, and I complete the last two weeks as Superintendent of Gilroy Unified, please know that this is not good-bye to Gilroy from me.  I plan to volunteer at some of my favorite District events, including Read Across America, Rock the Mock and the annual Run for Fitness event.  I plan to remain physically active, and will continue to participate in activities with the Gilroy Rotary group that I have been a proud member of since 2007.  My summer plans include backpacking in the Tetons, visiting Santa Barbara, and a trip to the East Coast with dear friends.  I will miss our staff, students, and families most of all, but I am excited for my next adventure, and I am confident that GUSD is in good hands with the new Superintendent, Dr. Anisha Munshi.  Thank you to all of you for your continued support and encouragement.  

Take care of each other,
 
Dr. Deborah A. Flores, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Gilroy Unified School District