July 1, 2020


Dear Santiago School Community,

It is with great excitement that I write this letter of introduction to you as the new Principal of Santiago TK-8 Elementary School.  I am honored to have this opportunity to lead a school community with such great teachers, students, and parents.  I have been dedicated to the students in Santa Ana and the field of education for the past 22 years.  I began my career at Greenville Fundamental where I worked as a teacher and literacy coach.  I continued my career as an Assistant Principal at both Madison and Esqueda Elementary Schools and then served as the Interim Principal at Fremont Elementary School. In 2012, I was hired as the Principal of Carver and Romero-Cruz Elementary Schools and after the split of the two schools, have served as the proud Principal of Carver Elementary School for the past six years.  I am excited for the transition to Santiago and the opportunity to work with you as a partner to ensure your child’s success.  One of the most important aspects of my work at Santiago will be continuing the focus on strong relationships with students, staff and families. You will find me in the hallways, classrooms (both in person and digital) and at special activities.  My passion has been and always will be educating students. With that in mind, you can expect that I will work diligently with teachers to make sure our students are exposed to curriculum and instruction that is both engaging and challenging.  Returning to school in August 2020 is going to look very different from years past. Please be assured that my number one focus is the safety of our students and staff.  Our district is working tirelessly to develop a safe reopening plan that:

•  Ensures the health, safety and well-being of all students and staff.
  
•  Provides the highest quality learning experiences for all students.
•  Supports the individual needs of all students and families.
•  Provides clear communication throughout all transitions to stakeholders.

During the summer, I will send out regular communication via email to keep you informed to our reopening plan and any new information.  This information will also be updated regularly on Santiago’s website.  I want to thank each of you for the opportunity to serve your families in this role and am so excited to meet you!  Please do not hesitate to reach out to me by email if you have any questions.

In gratitude,

Mrs. Kim Ahvari

School Principal

Kimberly.kempa@sausd.us