Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! Today, our campuses were bursting with energy, smiles, and school spirit as teachers and staff greeted our 1,147 TK through 12th-grade students for their first day of the new school year.
From the moment the doors opened, excitement across the entire district was palpable! Staff, students, and even parents had extra big grins this morning!
Our youngest learners at St. Helena Primary School were greeted with bubbles and enthusiastic staff as they gathered for an all-school assembly, setting a joyful, supportive, and welcoming tone for their journey ahead.
St. Helena Elementary School: The Dragons received a VIP welcome, as every student in grades 3-5 came through a ‘human tunnel’ of adult cheerleaders to begin their year.
At Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School, enthusiastic staff andstudent leaders greeted new students and helped everyone find their classes, where teachers began immediately with introductions and interactive lessons.
Energy was high at St. Helena High School’s spirited welcome rally, where students cheered and our Seniors were spotlighted as positive role models and leaders for the entire student body.
Today’s launch was made possible by the incredible efforts of so many! Teachers created inviting environments and intriguing lessons to capture interest and engagement. Office staff built rosters, registered students, and more. Facilities, Groundskeepers, and Custodial teams worked tirelessly to deep clean, mow, and weed across every campus. Please join me in thanking our amazing SHUSD team for ensuring our campuses were ready for students to thrive.
We are deeply grateful for your partnership, support, and trust as we embark on another year of connection, growth, and academic success. Thank you for sharing your children with us—we are ready for an awesome school year!
Warmly,
Jodi McClay, Ed.D.
Superintendent
First Day Around SHUSD
From first-day jitters to big smiles, here’s a look at our students kicking off the 2026–27 school year!
St. Helena Primary School (SHPS)
St. Helena Elementary School (SHES)
Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School (RLS)
St. Helena High School (SHHS)
The Adventure Begins! SHUSD Staff Kick-Off 2026–27
THE MISSION
Staff were divided into teams and challenged to work together through a series of Indiana Jones-inspired stations.
THE CHALLENGES
Games • Team Challenges • Problem Solving • Competition • Lots of Laughs
THE TEAMWORK
The activities gave staff a chance to connect with colleagues from across our campuses, build teamwork, and kick off the new school year together.
THE ADVENTURE
One district. Four campuses. One team. We’re ready for an incredible 2026–27 school year!
THE PRACTICES
Each of the activities embedded skills we week to build in our students: Observation, Curiosity, Collaboration, Verification, Creativity, and Communication.
SHUSD Registration Fair
Our Registration Fair was a wonderful way to welcome families before the start of the school year. A huge thank you to all of our site secretaries who came together to support families with registration and enrollment. We are also grateful to NCOE for providing backpacks, school supplies, and shoes for our students, and to our community partners UpValley Family Centers and NEWS for joining us and connecting families with valuable resources. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success!
A huge shoutout to our Facilities, Grounds, Custodial, and Maintenance teams for working throughout the summer to clean, repair, prepare, and improve our campuses for the new school year. So much of their hard work happens behind the scenes, but it makes a big difference in creating safe, welcoming spaces for our students and staff. Thank you for helping our schools shine and getting everything ready for a great year!
Start Strong. Show Up. Shine.
Every school day matters! Missing just 10% of the school year, about two days per month, can make it harder for students to keep up and stay on track. We’re partnering with Napa County Office of Education to encourage families and our community to make attendance a priority. If your family is facing challenges with regular attendance, please reach out to your child’s school—we’re here to help. For tips and resources, visit Napa County’s Attendance Resources. Let’s help every student start strong, show up, and shine.
SHUSD Community Service Providers
Our district partners with local organizations and service providers to connect students and families with additional support. These community partners offer a variety of services, including mental health support, family resources, youth programs, and wellness services.
Your Family’s Connection to Resources
As your Director, Community Liaison, I’m here to help connect families with our schools, district, and community resources. If you have questions, need support, or aren’t sure where to start, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I am here to support you and your family!
