Superintendent’s Office

Dear PCS Families and Students,

Welcome to the 2025–26 school year! After spending the past year slowing down and spending some much-needed time with my family, I’m feeling rejuvenated and excited to be back. There’s truly no place like Petaluma City Schools—the energy, the care, and the connections in this community are unmatched, and I can’t wait to see what we’ll accomplish together this year.

The start of school is one of my favorite times of the year—a fresh beginning for students and staff, full of possibility and new opportunities. Today marks a fresh start for most of our students and staff, though our year-round calendar schools have already kicked off their year and are settling in beautifully. Whether you’re joining PCS for the first time or returning to familiar classrooms and friends, you are part of something special.

This year, we’re focusing on three big District wide goals, ensuring PCS is a place where:

Every student receives an excellent education, prepared for whatever future they may choose—we are focused on ensuring every student is prepared from an early age so they will graduate college and career ready.
Every student is connected—above and beyond peer relationships, we want every student in our District to have a trusted adult on campus who knows them, supports them, and believes in their infinite potential.
Every single student has opportunities for success—we are focused on closing the opportunity and achievement gaps we see in our data, particularly for our Students with Disabilities, Multilingual Learners, and Alternative High School students. As a District, we are committed to ensuring that all students are prepared for high levels of achievement through rigorous and culturally-relevant curriculum.

Whether you volunteer in the classroom, lend your talents, join a school event, or simply show up in support of your student and their learning, you are an essential part of what makes our schools thrive. These are complex times, but we know that when we come together—as families, staff, and community—we create something truly powerful.

Thank you for being an essential part of our school community. Your encouragement, your presence, and your partnership help make PCS the place where students feel safe, supported, and inspired to do their best work.

Here’s to a year of learning, laughter, and connection.

In partnership,

Matthew Harris
Superintendent, Petaluma City Schools

Superintendent’s Office

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