Superintendent's Office
Message From the Superintendent
August 2009
Dear Parents;
As the new superintendent of the Claremont Unified School District I want to let you know how excited and proud I am to be a part of the Claremont educational community. It is an honor to be able to serve and continue on with the great tradition of this District. Our reputation is known across the state as one that believes in the value of a unique educational experience for each individual student and I too agree that the students that graduate from our district are unique. They are unique in the sense that they are wonderfully prepared and have the intellectual capital necessary to address and contribute to solutions precipitated by a global economy that emphasize exploration, adaptability and a sense of entrepreneurship with a focus on the higher order thinking skills necessary for success.
Many districts attest to being the type of organization that meets the needs of all students, but Claremont goes beyond the rhetoric and provides students with the type of overall program and services that exemplify a district of destination. International Baccalaureate, AVID, Career and Technical Education, elementary art and music, nationally recognized theatre arts and forensics at the secondary level, and after school tutoring and intervention are just a few examples of the types of programs that set our district apart. Claremont is one of the few districts in the state of California that is not in declining enrollment. This is a tribute not only to the quality and caliber of the District’s programs and staff but to the community as well, and I am thankful for the support that is provided our schools. It is a pleasure to be part of a world class organization and community that holds to the belief that the adults have a responsibility to provide “Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day.” This belief and subsequent behaviors are the reason that I selected Claremont as my destination.
I have been in education for over 32 years and have had the pleasure to serve as a teacher and administrator at all levels. I have 4 children, 3 grand-children and a beautiful wife, Catherine, who is superintendent of schools in Glendora, CA.
As an educator, I believe that student engagement is the key to the success of any educational experience where differences are valued and embraced. We must continually seek out best practice and never forget the importance of “focused instruction” that is essential in meeting the needs of each and every child. This type of educational experience can only be achieved when there is a collaborative effort of outstanding teachers, dedicated support staff, committed administrators and a unified Board of Education. This effort in conjunction with constant on-going communication with our parents and community allows for opportunities to tap into the collective efficacy of the organization as a whole.
It is my privilege to serve the students and community of Claremont as your superintendent and I look forward to meeting each and every one of you in the near future.
Sincerely,
Terry Nichols, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Claremont Unified School District
For further information contact:
170 W San Jose Ave, 3rd Floor
Claremont, CA 91711
Telephone: (909) 398-0609 x.70101
FAX: (909) 398-0690