Principal's Welcome
Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians,
I am incredibly honored and thrilled to step into the role of your new Principal at Santa Maria High School. Having spent the last seven years serving the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, first as an Assistant Principal at Pioneer Valley High School, and most recently as the Director of Instructional Technology, I know firsthand the dedication, pride, and resiliency that embodies our community.
My journey in education spans 19 years as a teacher, coach, and administrator. Prior to my time in this district, I had the privilege of serving as an Assistant Principal at Santa Barbara High School, a Dean of Students, and a teacher and coach at Fillmore High School. Every chapter of my career has reinforced my belief that when students know they have an entire community firmly in their corner, they develop the confidence to pave their own extraordinary paths.
Celebrating Our Successes
We are entering this school year with incredible momentum. Santa Maria High School has achieved remarkable milestones recently, and we are fully committed to building upon this foundation of excellence. Together, we celebrate:
- Academic Growth: Outstanding gains in student performance across English, math, and science.
- Expanded Opportunities: Continuous growth and expansion of our top-tier college and career pathways.
- Post-Secondary Excellence: Large increases in the number of students accepted into the UC and CSU systems.
These achievements are a direct result of the hard work of our students, the dedication of our staff, and the unwavering support of our families.
Meet Your Leadership Team
To support this continued growth, I am proud to introduce our exceptional and dynamic new administrative team. Together, we are here to serve you:
- Elizabeth Cortez – Assistant Principal, Curriculum & Instruction
- Jules Manfreda – Assistant Principal, Student Affairs
- Auni Baldwin – Assistant Principal, Special Programs
- Tyler Haglund – Dean of Students
Our Goals for This Year
As we look to the future, our leadership team is focused on three core pillars to ensure every Saint thrives:
- Building Meaningful Relationships: Cultivating connections with families, students, and staff.
- Listening Intentionally: Creating open channels of communication to hear directly from our families, students, and staff.
- Developing a Shared Vision: Collaborating with you to map out an inspiring future for Santa Maria High School.
Our New Electronic Device Policy
On June 17th, our Board of Trustees approved a new, districtwide electronic device policy, which goes into effect at the start of the 26/27 school year. The new policy is titled "Off and Away except Lunch" and emphasizes the importance of minimizing distractions in the educational environment by requiring students to power down and store away cell phones, smartwatches, and other personal electronic devices, including AI-enabled personal devices and earbuds, during the instructional day, which includes passing periods. The only exception to this rule is during the lunch break, providing students with a designated time to check and use their devices. This approach aims to enhance focus and engagement in classrooms, promoting a more productive learning atmosphere. By curbing the potential disruptions posed by these devices, the policy seeks to foster a more attentive and interactive educational experience for all students.
Please review the attached flyer for more information on our new electronic device policy.
iPads for All Students
In August, all students will receive a new iPad as their district-provided technology device. Each iPad includes a keyboard and rugged case. Students will return their current district-issued laptop when they receive their iPad. You will receive communication from our team with specific dates and times as we get closer to August.
Creating a partnership between families and staff is vital to our success. We want to listen to your stories and work hand-in-hand with you to ensure our school remains a place of pride, achievement, and joy.
Let’s make this an unforgettable school year. Go Saints!
Sincerely,
Matthew J. Stockton
Principal, Santa Maria High School
