By Becky Salato, Superintendent, Konocti Unified School District
Happy New Year! As we welcome students and staff back from Winter Break for the second half of the school year, I am filled with excitement and gratitude for the incredible work our team does, from teachers and counselors to bus drivers, custodians, and our technology folks. Each day, they support our students, families, and one another.
The start of a new year offers a perfect opportunity for reflection and renewal. It’s a chance for us to reset, refresh, and approach the months ahead with new energy and enthusiasm. Here are a few recommendations as we all begin 2025.
Embrace a Fresh Start – January offers an ideal time to reflect on the successes of the past year and identify areas for growth. Let’s think about how we can challenge ourselves to be even more effective, compassionate, and innovative in our roles. Try a new approach, sit with a different person at lunch, or invite someone new to go for a walk.
Focus on Wellness – Taking care of ourselves ensures that we can take care of others. I encourage you to prioritize your well-being—whether that means setting aside time for physical activity, practicing mindfulness, or finding a balance that supports both personal and professional life.
We are in the process of becoming a Blue Zones Certified Workplace and this has helped focus our attention on wellness. The Blue Zones Power 9 is a set of lifestyle habits that support health and longevity. They incorporate mindset and community connections, as well as diet and exercise habits. They are: move naturally, purpose, downshift, 80% rule, plant slant, wine at 5, belong, loved ones first, and right pack . You can learn more on the Blue Zones Project Lake County website: lakecounty.bluezonesproject.com/power-9.
Set Intentional Goals – Whether you want to build stronger relationships, enhance your physical health, or develop new skills, setting clear, achievable goals can guide us toward success in 2025. Think of some words of intention to help you reach your goals. Last year, I chose the word Balance. It was something I needed to work on in both my professional life and my personal life. Keeping that word in my mind helped me achieve a more balanced, healthier life. This year my word is Positivity. With so much uncertainty and fear in our world, I am committed to approaching things through a lens of positivity and assuming best intent.
Collaborate and Support One Another – People work best with each other when they share values and aims. With the deep political divides in our country, it’s easy to miss how much we have in common. National politics do not have to get in the way of local people working together. Here at home, it doesn’t matter whether a person votes red or blue. We all want to live in a healthy community where children (and all of us) can thrive. At Konocti Unified School District, I’ve asked our staff to continue to foster a supportive environment where we learn from each other and share ideas to make our schools even better places for students and staff alike.
Celebrate Our Impact – Every day, we all have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. Let’s take time this year to celebrate collective achievements, big and small, and remind ourselves why we do what we do. In our schools, we are here to inspire, nurture, and guide the next generation of learners.
Let’s all make 2025 a year of positivity, growth, collaboration, and innovation. I’m honored to work alongside a passionate and committed team of educators and community partners dedicated to supporting all local students.