Principal's Message/Mission

Dear Serrano Families,

I hope you have had a wonderful summer filled with time to relax, recharge, and create lasting memories with your loved ones. As we prepare to welcome our students back to campus, I am filled with excitement and gratitude to begin my second year as principal of Serrano Elementary.

My first year at Serrano confirmed what I had heard long before arriving—this is a truly special community. I have been inspired by the dedication of our teachers and staff, the incredible support of our families, and, most importantly, the kindness, resilience, and enthusiasm of our students. Thank you for welcoming me so warmly and for partnering with us throughout the past year.

As we begin a new school year together, you'll notice a few exciting changes.

One of our biggest updates is our transition to ParentSquare as our primary communication platform. ParentSquare will provide a more streamlined way for our school and teachers to communicate with families through messages, announcements, forms, and reminders—all in one convenient place. We encourage every family to activate their account and stay connected throughout the year.

You'll also notice our new bell schedule, designed to maximize instructional time while supporting smooth transitions throughout the school day. We appreciate your patience as everyone adjusts to the new routines during the first few weeks of school.

While some things are changing, one thing remains constant: our commitment to every child.  We are continuing to prioritize student ownership over their learning, positive behavior incentives and supports, character counts, and the attendance matters programs.  

As an educator and leader, I firmly believe that all learning begins with relationships. Before we can expect academic rigor, we must first build trust, connection, and a sense of belonging. My educational philosophy is simple: "All knowledge comes from the connections."

When students know they are valued, supported, and connected to their teachers and classmates, they are willing to take risks, persevere through challenges, and reach their highest potential. Our goal this year is to continue creating classrooms where every child feels safe, known, and inspired to learn.

We also have one small personal update I'd like to share. Many of you knew me last year as Shannon Gerlach. Over the summer, my name changed, and I am excited to introduce myself as Shannon Morgan. While my name is new, my commitment to Serrano and its students remains exactly the same. It is an honor to continue serving this incredible community.

This year, we will continue strengthening our academic programs while building meaningful relationships, celebrating student success, and creating opportunities for every child to thrive. Together, we will continue making Serrano a place where students love coming to school each day. 

Thank you for your continued partnership and trust. I look forward to seeing returning faces, meeting new families, and making this another outstanding year together.

Here's to a wonderful school year!

With hope, 

Ms. Morgan

Principal