Principal's Message

Dear Belvedere Middle School Community,

It is with much enthusiasm, that I welcome you back to Belvedere Middle School for the start of the 2024-25 School Year.  I hope had a great summer and are rejuvenated to return and do some amazing work. As the new principal of Belvedere Middle School, I am thrilled to welcome you back for what promises to be an exciting and rewarding school year.

As we embark on this new academic year together, I am excited to share my vision for our school. My major goal is to elevate the success of our students by providing a rigorous, standards-based, instructional program that includes engaging activities both inside and outside the classrooms. We are developing children into young adults and their enthusiasm, energy and positive outlook on life is what we further develop and embrace. I believe that by working together, we can provide our students with the best possible educational experience and help them reach their full potential.

Here are a few key areas based on the District’s Strategic Plan that I would like to focus on:

1. Pillar 1:  Academic Excellence, Priority 1A: High-Quality Instruction.Based on the Single Plan for Student Achievement, our focus will continue to be on the core subject areas and the EL program. Teacher collaboration time to lesson plan and identify social emotional strategies to incorporate in the classroom is essential. Peer observations will make a comeback and we will continue to grow as learners as we visit our colleagues. I encourage you to continue exploring innovative teaching strategies that engage and inspire our students, fostering a love of learning that will last a lifetime.
2. Pillar 2: Joy and Wellness, Priority 2D: Outstanding Attendance and Pillar 5 Investing in Staff (Staff Wellness).Regular attendance is strongly linked to academic achievement. Students who attend school consistently are more likely to understand and retain the material being taught. They benefit from uninterrupted instruction and can better participate in classroom discussions and activities.Equally important is teacher and staff. Teachers and staff play a critical role in monitoring and supporting students’ well-being. We all need to be present to deliver consistent, high-quality instruction. Regular attendance allows us to effectively plan and execute standards-based lessons and provide the support students need.  I am here to support you and get the resources you need so that you can be present, providing a rigorous instructional program.
3. Pillar 4: Operational Effectiveness, Priority 4A: Data-Driven Decision-Making.We will continue to utilize the Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) cycles. The PDSA cycle is a research-based model for continuous improvement. This approach helps educators make informed decisions based on data and feedback, ensuring our instructional practices remain relevant and impactful.

I am eager to get to know each of you and to hear your thoughts and ideas for making this school year the best it can be. My door is always open, and I welcome your input and collaboration. Together, we can achieve great things and make a lasting impact on the lives of our students.

Thank you for selecting our amazing school.  I am excited to embark on this journey with you and look forward to a fantastic school year ahead. Go Olympians!

Sincerely,

Elsa Mendoza

Elsa Mendoza, Ed. D.
Principal
Belvedere Middle School