New Year, New Possibilities

By Becky Salato, Superintendent, Konocti Unified School District

A new school year is more than just a date on the calendar; the new year offers the incredible power of a fresh start. It’s a chance to begin again with purpose, energy, and hope. This is when learners and educators (and all who support them) can focus on new goals to reach, new friendships to build, new challenges to grow from, and new memories to make. Whether you're teaching, learning, leading, or supporting, each person plays a vital role in shaping a positive, empowering, and inclusive school community. 

For students, the new year brings:

• A fresh opportunity to discover passions and talents
• The chance to make new friends and strengthen old ones
• A clean slate to set goals, try new things, and grow—both in and out of the classroom

For staff, the new year brings:

• Renewed purpose in guiding and inspiring young minds
• New strategies, ideas, and tools to support student learning
• A chance to collaborate, lead, and grow professionally

Most of our principals and assistance principals have returned and they are excited to start the new year. We have new leaders at Lower Lake High School (LLHS) and Lower Lake Elementary School (LLES), people with passion and new ideas.

LLHS: New Assistant Principals

At the high school, we have a total of three assistant principals, two of whom are new to us. We’re pleased to welcome back Gregory Fister, who is a constant presence all over campus, joking with students and staff, and providing support to all. Joining him will be Kaila Budwell and Valerie Jordan. 

Kaila Budwell is an LLHS alumna. After teaching math in the Bay Area, she is ready to return to her community and step into a leadership role. She’ll focus on supporting math and science teachers and helping students work through behavior challenges. 

Valerie Jordan is a veteran school administrator who worked most recently in Santa Rosa. She’ll focus on English language arts and social sciences, as well as working on master scheduling and connecting with our counselors. Like Kaila, she’ll also help students work through behavior challenges.

The role of an assistant principal is to promote learning and social-emotional health, as well as efficient operations, by making sure our campus is safe and welcoming for all. APs help teachers with instructional questions and classroom management challenges; they help students with all sorts of issues; and they organize and attend school activities, from assemblies to sporting events. 

LLES: New Principal

At Lower Lake Elementary School, we have a new principal: Brad Coscarelli. Brad is a veteran principal from Santa Rosa who has worked at both the elementary and secondary levels, giving him a broad understanding of how students need to be prepared at each stage of their educational journey.

Brad is all about community and family, and he is not afraid to dive into the deep end. In Santa Rosa, he was responsible for re-opening an elementary school after it was closed due to a wildfire. He has worked in bigger schools and districts, so he is well-positioned to take on the leadership of our biggest elementary school.   

New Year is Here

I know some people say summer was too short. The truth is, I can’t wait to have the students back. They fill our campuses with energy, laughter, and possibilities. We want to help each student grow into their potential academically, socially, and emotionally. 

You may see the “Konocti Cares” logo around our campuses and highlighted in our activities. This is Konocti’s way of embracing the wonderful lessons of the Blue Zones Project, supporting staff, students, families, and community members as we all strive to live happy, fulfilled lives.

Our high school campus renovation reflects several Blue Zones principles, and one that I like the best is that we now have a beautiful courtyard in the center of school, a quad that encourages students to gather together, to feel a sense of belonging. The modernization of our campus also enhances safety and gives students a campus to be proud of.  

As your student gets back into the swing of things, there are many things you can do to help them prepare for a good year. One is to encourage kids to embrace change, to see it as an opportunity–not the end of the old, but the beginning of the new. Remind them that it’s natural to feel nervous, and that most of their classmates are, too. They are not alone. Ask your student what they are most excited about and what they want to learn this year, inside and outside the classroom. Help them focus on the possibilities that bring a smile to their faces. 

I’ll tell you what brings a smile to my face: the possibility of creating learning environments where everyone feels valued, challenged, and supported. I remain committed to getting better at getting better, always looking to the next opportunity. Let’s walk into this new year with courage, curiosity, and care (Konocti Cares)—for ourselves and for one another. Let’s make this year one of curiosity, kindness, resilience, and growth. The possibilities are endless—and they start with us.