Before more than 14,000 students arrived at their respective Turlock Unified School District campuses on Tuesday morning for the start of the new school year, Interim Superintendent David Lattig released his first ever superintendent's message, where he reflected on his children’s own educational journey’s and expressed excitement for the start of classes while stressing the district’s mission.
“The start of every school year is filled with anticipation as we prepare successful learning opportunities for our scholars,” he said. “My youngest children just moved back to college, and I still think about what this school year has in store for them, just as I did when they were younger. We all want the very best for our children; working together we can ensure that the 2024-2025 school year is a positive educational experience not only for them but our family partners as well.”
Lattig continued later in the statement, “It seems like just yesterday that my own children were starting kindergarten and as I said goodbye to them this weekend, I once again realized how fast time flies. As such, I know how important it is to maximize the time we have with your children, every single day, so they graduate college and career ready.”
The message then stressed a commitment to keep students safe and supported, echoing the sentiments of TUSD’s mission statement: The Turlock Unified School District will deliver effective instruction in a safe, equitable, and supportive environment, in partnership with our families and diverse community.
“As we launch into this new year, we are continually striving to keep your children safe at school, provide effective instruction, and work collaboratively to meet every student’s unique needs.
“We continue to build systems designed to ensure your students learn essential skills to grow academically and socially. We have plans in place to stretch your students’ academic growth or reteach if they need additional opportunities or support. We also have staff ready to assist with social and/or behavioral concerns, if needed.”
Lattig mentioned the programs and services provided by the district’s Family Resource Center, which launched last year and is run predominantly by Director of Communications, Family Engagement and Outreach Marie Russell, Coordinator of Equity Initiatives Angelica Cardenas Ayala and Administrative Secretary Angela Scott.
Together, with the help of volunteers from throughout the district and community partnerships, they have hosted a multitude of events, such as the back to school backpack and school supply drive, personal hygiene kit drive, school vaccine clinics through the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency, mobile health clinics through Legacy Health Endowment, and Fresh Food 4 Kids Pantry pickups and bi-monthly food box distributions. The FRC also hosts family information nights on the topics of college and career readiness, foster youth support, online safety, the fentanyl crisis, student mental health, the California Ivy League Project and the Latino Family Literacy Project, as well as multiple workshops for refugees/newcomers and for parents on health education with Golden Valley Health Centers.
“As the Interim Superintendent, it is my sincere desire to meet your family’s educational expectations,” Lattig added.
In June, Lattig was appointed as interim superintendent by the TUSD Board of Trustees, taking over for longtime superintendent Dana Salles Trevethan who retired after 33 years in the district this summer.
Prior to his appointment, Lattig had been employed with TUSD for eight years and served in a number of administrative roles. His most recent role was Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. Before that, he was principal of Turlock Adult School, director of Career Technical Education and Program Equity and assistant superintendent of human resources.
