May 13, 2004

Dear Parents/Guardians of Cambridge Children,

I am extremely pleased to announce that a principal has been designated to replace Mr. Luis Carias when he leaves this June. Mr. Sankaran Iyer, who is currently our Director of Information Technology, has requested this assignment and I am pleased to honor his request. Mr. Iyer is an experienced administrator at both the site and district level, having served previously as an elementary vice principal, a technology coordinator, a teacher of elementary grades and instruction for English Language Learners; so he comes to this position with a rich curricular and instructional background.

Mr. Iyer also comes to us with a history of positive and supportive relationships between the school, home and the community. Parents in his former district speak highly of him and all parents with whom he has interacted in our district have nothing but praise for his communication skills and his wonderful personality that puts people instantly at ease.

As the Director of Technology for our district, Mr. Iyer has been instrumental in assisting with the development of data bases and interpreting assessment results. More importantly for you and your children, however, Mr. Iyer has created a department that is dedicated to helping teachers make the most of their technological tools for instruction and student productivity. Being a geologist before coming to education, Mr. Iyer has a strong science background and has shared that with our district’s teachers when he conducts workshops on how to teach geology in an elementary setting. He will provide excellent support to our classroom teachers as they strive to meet the new California State standards.

Mr. Iyer brings a rich, culturally diverse background to the school as well. He speaks several languages, including Spanish, and understands and appreciates the cultures of the areas where these languages are spoken. He will provide support and guidance to our immersion program while bringing that cultural sensitivity to the rest of the student body and their families as well.

What you are receiving is a principal who understands and cares deeply about the success of every student, a person who is an excellent teacher and professional administrator, a person who will work exceptionally well with the community and our parents. Mr. Iyer is a tremendously gifted educational leader and I am thrilled that the Cambridge community will have such an outstanding administrator to follow Mr. Carias. Please join me in warmly welcoming him to the Cambridge community.

Mr. Iyer will be working with Mr. Carias to develop a transition plan as he works to put our technology department in order so that he can assume the leadership of Cambridge by August. In the meantime, we will continue to supply interim administrative support. Please be patient with us as we make this transition in a way that is successful for all.

Sincerely,

Jacki L. Cottingim, Superintendent