I am delighted to welcome your children back for the start of the 2023-2024 school year this August. I hope you are having a wonderful end to the summer and are as excited as I am to start this school year strong. Whether you’re a first-time parent in the district with a kindergartner or a seasoned professional with a student in their final years, we are committed to your child’s education this year and every year.
I would like to take the time to share with you this year’s slogan, “Achieving Excellence Together.” This motto will guide us in our journey this year, as it expresses our dedication as a public school district to achieving excellence for every single student in addition to excelling at the school and district levels. We have thousands of VCS teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, specialists and talented employees who are committed to each child’s success and have been working diligently over the summer to ensure that our schools provide a safe and enriching experience for all students again this year.
Excellence may come in many shapes and forms, and our team is devoted to helping each child explore their passions, advance their knowledge and realize their full potential through our range of academic and extracurricular programs. All of our students possess such great aptitude and talent in so many areas, and we are excited to guide them as they learn and grow this year.
Among other initiatives this school year, we are expanding our Dual Language Spanish and English program, voluntary pre-kindergarten, gifted program and career and technical programs and academies to more schools. I truly believe in educating and nurturing the whole child, so we will continue to provide wraparound services to meet children’s social and behavioral needs in addition to academic instruction. We are also offering free breakfast and lunch again to all students to ensure their nutritional well-being during the school day.
Of course, it is also our responsibility to prioritize the safety of all of our students and staff every single day. All of our schools continue to operate with single access points, secure visitor protocols and high-tech surveillance systems. We are always assessing and updating emergency response plans, as well as training our school guardians and security personnel on safety procedures and how to respond to any situation.
Our strong partnership with parents also plays a role in creating a positive and nurturing learning environment, so thank you for your continued support and engagement in your child’s education. When we join together, we can provide an even more holistic education and truly prepare Volusia County’s youth for the future.
I look forward to “Achieving Excellence Together” and making this year an outstanding success. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our goal of providing an excellent and enriching education for the children in our community.
Dr. Carmen J. Balgobin
Superintendent of Schools
