‘It Has Been Such a Good Day’: Students’ Spirits Bright on Rainy First Day of School in Santa Barbara

It was a rainy first day of school for the thousands of students in the Santa Barbara Unified School District on Monday thanks to Tropical Storm Hilary, which brought some rare August rain to the region as it passed to the east. As kids returned to the classroom or arrived for the first time, teachers and administrators around the district began this school year by diving in headfirst, with new approaches and perspectives on learning. 

“It’s been a great first day,” said Superintendent Dr. Hilda Maldonado, standing in front of the library at Roosevelt Elementary. “We started at Dos Pueblos, where we got to greet some of the seniors and some of the brand-new high school students. I talked to a young lady on her way in, and she was a little nervous as a 9th grader. But so far, thankfully, all our schools are safe and ready to go.” 

Students and teachers are focusing on their ABCs this year. Staff ABCs stand for academics, arts, athletics, belonging, community, and collaboration and were taught through professional development training over the summer.