Aug. 9, 22023

SALINAS-Schools in the Salinas City Elementary School District welcomed students back for the 2023-2024 school year today, Wednesday Aug. 9, and a bevy of special invited guests were on hand to greet staff, students and parents as they arrived.

Joining the Board of Trustees were Salinas Police Chief Roberto Filice and several members of his department; Salinas Fire Chief Sam Klemek; Monterey County Office of Education Superintendent Deneen Guss; Hartnell College President Michael Gutierrez and Hartnell College Foundation Executive Director Jackie Cruz; Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce Interim President Thom Taft; and Salinas City Councilmembers Tony Barrera, Orlando Osornio, Anthony Rocha and Andrew Sandoval, along with Salinas City Manager Steve Carrigan.

"Our board firmly believes in strong relationships as a community and as a District. We believe that strengthening our relationships with our educational, governmental and business community can only lead to stronger schools, and better outcomes for our students and families," said SCESD Superintendent Rebeca Andrade. "We appreciate that these community partners were able to take time out of their busy schedules to join us on a warm welcome and a great start to the new school year for all of our students."

Mission Park Elementary School had an especially special opening day, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open its new playground and play structure, a project that took place over the summer and was funded by Measure T, the $80-million bond measure passed by 63.9 percent of District voters in 2008. Asecond Measure T-funded project, to put up shade structures at Boronda Meadows, Monterey Park, Natividad and Laurel Wood elementary schools, was completed over the summer as well, and a third Measure T-funded project, to modernize the student restrooms at Lincoln Elementary, is more than half completed.

The Salinas City Elementary School District encompasses 15 schools, including the Salinas City Virtual Academy, educating students from preschool through the 6th grade, including Transitional Kindergarten, a class that falls between preschool and traditional kindergarten and helps students launch into learning by exposing them to a traditional classroom environment. Preliminary enrollment numbers for this year, as of Aug. 9, show a total student population of 8,378. Pictures from the Mission Park play structure event and other events from the District are attached. For more information, please contact Mary Duan, Director of Communications and Community Engagement, at mary.duan@salinascity.k12.ca.us