Are you good at reflecting on your achievements? If you’re like me, you’re often in future-mode, focused on pursuing the next goal, always pushing forward. However, research shows that taking time to reflect can be extremely motivating and enlightening. Reflection helps us pause, recognize progress, and uncover lessons that can be applied to future challenges. Just as importantly, it gives us space to celebrate one another along the way.
At Folsom Cordova Unified School District, reflection is not just a mindset, it is a practice embedded in how we improve. Within our continuous improvement framework, reflection lives in theStudyphase of the PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) cycle. This is the moment where we intentionally slow down to ask:What worked? What didn’t? What did we learn?It is also where we name and celebrate successes, recognizing the people and practices that moved us forward before we decide what comes next.
Here in FCUSD, we have been putting this into practice, looking back at recent achievements across our District and acknowledging the people behind them. These moments of reflection and celebration matter. They remind us that progress is not accidental; it is the result of dedicated students, families, educators, and staff working together in service of our shared mission: ensuring all students demonstrate high levels of learning through continuous improvement, transformative social-emotional learning, and culturally responsive instruction. It’s a lofty goal, and yet we’ve made meaningful strides toward it, strides worth studying, celebrating, and learning from.
Over the coming months, we will continue highlighting District successes and how they connect to our ambitious goals for 2026 and beyond. Today, let’s pause to recognize just a few:
Awards Galore— Several FCUSD schools earned California Distinguished Schools designations this year—an extremely high bar to meet. Other campuses received statewide recognition for fostering positive school climates, and one exceptional staff member earned a statewide award. While our educators don’t do this work for accolades, these honors reflect extraordinary commitment and care that deserve to be celebrated.
Academic Over-Achievement— FCUSD continues to achieve results that are the envy of districts statewide, from our impressive 92.4% graduation rate to our improving attendance trends. We’ve also expanded learning opportunities through Career Technical Education, the International Baccalaureate Program, and Dual Enrollment with local colleges, opening doors and helping students earn college credit tuition-free. These outcomes give us valuable data to study and build upon.
Growth Spurt— Our community continues to grow at a remarkable pace, and FCUSD has been laying the groundwork to build new schools and modernize existing campuses. Through creative planning and community support, particularly through voter-approved bond measures, we are reimagining learning spaces, enhancing safety, and ensuring our facilities meet the needs of today’s students and tomorrow’s innovations.
Unified Vision— With more than 4,355 staff members serving over 22,500 students across 37 schools and 90 square miles, maintaining a unified “One District” vision is no small feat. Yet it remains one of our greatest strengths. Thank you for supporting not only your local school, but the District as a whole. As we often say,a rising tide lifts all boats, and every student success strengthens our entire community.
I hope taking time tostudyand reflect on these accomplishments is as encouraging for you as it is for me and our entire FCUSD team. Reflection prepares us for action, ensuring that our next steps are thoughtful, informed, and aligned to what we know works best for our students.
As we enter the new year, I wish you time for reflection, celebration, and connection. May your days be filled with the people and moments that matter most. And if you’re looking for a simple reflection activity over the break, try asking your student to share a few things they’re proud of from 2025 and one lesson they’ll carry forward into the new year. I think you’ll be inspired by what you hear.
Erik Swanson authored this article and is the Superintendent of the Folsom Cordova Unified School District.
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