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A photo of Dr. Andrea Norman

Andrea Norman, Ed.D.
Superintendent

 

 

Superintendent's Department Staff

Dr. Andrea Norman, Superintendent
Phone: (760) 331-5001
andrea.norman@carlsbadusd.net

Anne Garcia, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent
Phone: (760) 331-5002
anne.garcia@carlsbadusd.net

Superintendent's Message — January 27, 2026

Hoopcoming and Winter Sports Highlights

Sage Creek High School Hoopcoming

Sage Creek High School launched school spirit into a galaxy far, far away as “Hoopcoming” weekend took off with a full week of Star Wars-themed festivities on and off the court.

Friday’s celebration kicked off with a high-energy pep rally followed by the Hoopcoming Carnival, which welcomed students, families, and community members onto campus. Student clubs played a starring role in the carnival, hosting booths and activities including classic games, a student-organized thrift market, and a robot-shooting competition run by the Robotics Club.

The excitement peaked Friday night with a thrilling rivalry game, pitting the Sage Creek Bobcats against Carlsbad High School’s Lancers. The campus buzzed with activities led by student-athletes, school clubs, ASB, dance and cheer teams, the Bob Squad cheering section, and community partners.

The girls varsity basketball game tipped off at 5:30 p.m., the boys game was next at 7 p.m., and ASB-led activities energized the crowd at the halftimes. The gym came alive with brilliant flashes of teal and gold, cheer and dance performances, spirited Bob Squad chants, and the crowning of Hoopcoming royalty. Community partners also joined the event, transforming the campus into a true community celebration and strengthening connections between the school and local businesses. In the end, both the Carlsbad High School girls and boys basketball teams were victorious.

Hoopcoming festivities continued Saturday night with a Star Wars-themed homecoming dance. A DJ kept the energy high as food, music, dancing, and decorations gave the gym a makeover to close out an unforgettable weekend.

These activities were planned over many months. Lane Measer, ASB Vice President and Community Relations Coordinator for Hoopcoming, explained, “Our goal for Hoopcoming is to create new community traditions and connections. Our Journalism program made a video to share our excitement about the events, which we used to promote Hoopcoming on campus and to local elementary and middle schools. We also gave away 50 free tickets to the first K–8 students who attended Hoopcoming with their parents. Sage Creek ASB students visited elementary schools to distribute SCHS merchandise and invite students to attend. In addition, our valued community partner, Handel’s, donated a percentage of ice cream sales throughout the week to our program.”

From friendly rivalry on the basketball court to creative student leadership and strong community involvement, Sage Creek High School’s Hoopcoming was a celebration of school pride, connection, and Bobcat spirit. “Hoopcoming is an opportunity for students to have a really classic high school experience,” Measer added. “There’s something for everybody.”

Winter Sports at Sage Creek High School

It’s not just about basketball at Sage Creek. Madeline Haupert, SCHS’s Athletics Director, reports that the winter season for Boys and Girls Soccer, Boys and Girls Basketball, Girls Water Polo, and Boys and Girls Wrestling is well underway. Preseason began after Thanksgiving, with league games ramping up in recent weeks.

The Boys Soccer team got off to an impressive start with a 10-game winning streak. The Girls Varsity Soccer team features several freshmen already making an impact early in their high school careers. Girls Water Polo is also showing strong promise in its inaugural season.

The Bobcats also had an exciting fall:

  • SCHS scored big Cross Country wins in the CIF San Diego Sectional. Both the boys and girls teams went on to compete at the State. The boys took 2nd place, and the girls came in 3rd.
  • Josiah Bowman was the Individual Champion for Division 4 at the State of California Cross Country Meet.
  • This was the first year that Sage Creek fielded a Boys Water Polo team. In its first year the team made it all the way to the CIF San Diego Section Championship, the proud runner-up for Division 3.
  • Another highlight—the Girls Tennis team went undefeated in their regular season!

Winter Sports at Carlsbad High School

Over at Carlsbad High School, Athletics Director Tom Bloomquist reports that preseason competitions, which began around Thanksgiving, have concluded and that the winter league season is officially underway. “We just began league games, and there are only three weeks to go until playoffs,” Bloomquist said. Current winter sports include Girls Water Polo; Boys and Girls Wrestling; Boys and Girls Basketball; and Boys and Girls Soccer.

Carlsbad High School also enjoyed a strong fall season:

  • Boys Football tied for another league championship and advanced to the CIF San Diego Section Open Division finals.
  • Lancer golfer Sabrina Sun was named Coastal League Player of the Year and was selected to the All-CIF First Team.
  • Ryan Fresca earned Boys Water Polo Player of the Year honors for the Coastal League and was selected to the All-CIF First Team.
  • Football standout Rocky Cummings was named CIF Defensive Player of the Year and, after graduating early, has already begun his collegiate career at the University of Texas.
  • The girls volleyball team advanced all the way to the CIF Division 1 Finals.

As Madeline Haupert puts it, “Carlsbad is a wonderful place to work, with an awesome community, great coaches, and fantastic families.”

  • Superintendent's Message — November 17, 2025

    A Season of Thanksgiving

    In this season of Thanksgiving, we are reminded of how fortunate we are — to have food on the table, a roof over our heads, and loved ones surrounding us. I am deeply grateful for the gift of working in the Carlsbad Unified School District, an institution whose values I so strongly share. Every day, I enjoy the privilege of working alongside people I respect and admire — individuals whose courage, dedication, and care for students continually inspire me. I am also thankful to work in such a beautiful community that values learning, service, and compassion.

    This time of year offers an opportunity not only to express gratitude but to demonstrate it through our actions. As educators, we teach our students the importance of giving back. It’s our shared responsibility to serve our community, to be a force for good, and to challenge ourselves and those around us to make the world a kinder, better place.

    Across CUSD, our schools are doing just that.

    In these times of food insecurity, our schools have stepped up to support local food banks and families in need. Carlsbad Village Academy organized a donation drive for the San Diego Food Bank. Carlsbad High School will host a Food Bank drive in December. Poinsettia Elementary families will be collecting non-perishable items during the first two weeks of December. Magnolia Elementary, in partnership with the PTA, is holding a food drive from November 7–21. Aviara Oaks Middle School held its ASB food drive from November 3–18, and Aviara Oaks Elementary hosted its “Kids Give Back” Food Drive earlier this fall. Calavera Hills Middle School has been filling its campus food pantry all month and, together with Calavera Hills Elementary and Brighter Bites, is providing 200 produce bags to families every two weeks.

    Jefferson Elementary and Carlsbad Village Academy are caring for their own by supporting their school’s families in need with food or a donated meal through Thanksgiving and the winter holidays. Carlsbad High School staff members are participating in Adopt a Family for December, coming together to provide gifts for the children of CHS families for the winter holidays. These efforts remind us that gratitude grows when we share it.

    We are also grateful for those who have served in our nation’s armed forces. Aviara Oaks Elementary held a Veterans Breakfast to celebrate and give back to local veterans. Pacific Rim Elementary students donated Halloween candy to Marines and wrote heartfelt “Thank You for Your Service” letters to veterans and active-duty military members. Aviara Oaks Middle School students, led by teacher Cathy Devich, wrote thank-you notes to veterans — many of which she hand-delivered to her neighbors, including to her 90-year-old father.

    Our schools are also extending their gratitude through community health and service projects. Carlsbad High School hosted a schoolwide Breast Cancer Awareness drive in October and will hold a Blood Drive in early December. Sage Creek High School recently completed its second Blood Drive of the year, collecting nearly 200 pints — a record.

    And students and staff continue to spread their generosity in the community, and even internationally. Carlsbad High School’s ASB students recently provided leadership training to Jefferson Elementary student leaders. Sage Creek’s Kids for Peace leaders made 200 “Peace Packs” filled with school supplies to be hand-delivered to students at the Kids for Peace school in Kenya. A Sage Creek student led a supply drive for Casa de Amparo, a local foster home for young girls. And at Carlsbad High School, every Thursday is Thankful Thursday — a day for students and staff to write messages of gratitude that are delivered each Friday.

    Every act of service, large or small, reflects the compassion that defines Carlsbad Unified. I am inspired daily by our staff, students, and families — for the ways they lift others up, support those in need, and remind us all what it means to be thankful.

    Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and peaceful Thanksgiving season.

  • Dear Carlsbad Unified Families,

    Carlsbad Unified School District is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment that promotes learning through positive relationships among students, staff, and our diverse community. Unfortunately, CUSD has recently experienced hate-motivated incidents and the display of hate symbols on some of our secondary campuses.

    Let me be clear, the District condemns such behavior and will not tolerate it. Hate speech, racist language, and hate symbols have no place in our schools. Such actions go against everything we stand for as a school district and as a community. CUSD is committed to swiftly responding to all incidents of hate on our campuses. All observed or reported incidents are thoroughly investigated, and these actions may result in suspension, expulsion, and even legal consequences.

    I invite all students, staff, and community members to join us in standing united against hate in every form. I encourage our students to lead with kindness and to speak up for what is right. If a student witnesses or experiences hateful words or actions, I urge them to reach out to a teacher, counselor, administrator, or another trusted adult.

    CUSD takes pride in its longstanding commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive culture, the foundation of all we do. As a district, we empower our staff to recognize, interrupt, and respond promptly to any form of hate. We greatly value our partnership with CUSD families and ask for your continued support. Please take time to talk with your children about empathy, compassion, and respect, and about the harm that hateful actions and words can cause in our schools and community.

    As the district that launched the “Great Kindness Challenge”, we continue to champion kindness and respect across our schools. We listen to student voices and collaborate with our community to create welcoming environments. Each school has a student-led committee that promotes positivity, and every year, students and staff reaffirm their pledge to stand united against hate in all its forms.

    CUSD believes every student has the right to feel safe, accepted, and have a true sense of belonging at school and in our community. Together, we will continue to make CUSD schools places of kindness and connection, where every person is valued and every voice matters.

    Thank you for your continued support,
    Dr. Andrea Norman
    Superintendent
    Carlsbad Unified School District

  • Superintendent's Message — October 20, 2025

    Celebrating Our Employees

    At Carlsbad Unified our outstanding teachers and classified staff, known for their professionalism and dedication, are our secret sauce. An impressive number of CUSD’s people have spent their entire careers serving our students and our community.

    Last week I had the honor of visiting schools to present many of our valued employees with their service pins, acknowledging them for their 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years of service.

    These are the six dedicated employees who are celebrating an amazing 30 years in our schools and classrooms:

    Corey Espeleta, Counselor at Calavera Hills Middle School

    Part of the team that opened Calavera Hills Middle School, Ms. Espeleta taught Math there for nine years, after nine years teaching at Valley Middle School. She then became a counselor—to work with the whole child on a broader level. “Middle School is my gig,” she says. “The best thing has been being able to work in middle school for my whole career. Our students are in a critical stage of development, just figuring out who they are. I love supporting them as they face the emotional and social challenges of adolescence.” Ms. Espeleta was assigned to Aviara Oaks Middle School as a counselor for three years, and then moved back to Calavera Hills. “CHMS has been my home for most of my career. It's fantastic. I am a Coyote—I bleed green and yellow.“

    Lisa Papera, Teacher at Carlsbad High School

    “I have had the pleasure of teaching English, primarily to 12th graders, for over three decades,” Ms. Papera says. “I love helping them find their voices, explore big ideas, and step confidently into what comes next. After all these years, I’m still as inspired by the curiosity, humor, and honesty my seniors bring to our classroom conversations as I was when I joined the Lancer family in 1994.”

    Ron Cordell, Teacher at Sage Creek High School

    "These 35 years have gone by in a flash,” says Mr. Cordell. “I came to Carlsbad Unified School District with five years of teaching experience under my belt. My journey has been unique. In my time with the district I have served as a teacher, Alternative Schools Liaison, counselor, and site administrator. I have worked at Carlsbad High School, Hope Elementary, Carlsbad Village Academy, Carlsbad Seaside Academy, and Aviara Oaks Middle School; and I helped open Sage Creek High School. I have been at Sage for 13 years and counting, and will finish my career as an AP Government & Politics teacher here at Sage Creek. It has been an absolute honor to serve the Carlsbad community. Thank you, Carlsbad.”

    Jennifer Uribe, Teacher at Aviara Oaks Elementary School

    “I have been with Carlsbad Unified since 1994,” Ms. Uribe states. “I taught first grade, then Kindergarten for 18 years, and then first grade for another 12 years. Now I am a TK teacher. I enjoy teaching today as much as I did when I started. I especially love working with the younger students. I am inspired by their enthusiasm and excitement for learning and discovery. I have gotten to see things full circle, watching the families grow up, and now I sometimes teach the children of my former students. And my daughter is now doing her student teaching here in first grade. I love seeing her excitement, and being able to share ideas with her. I still have the enthusiasm and the passion for teaching, just seeing the kids each day, their joy, and new things they discovered.

    Luis Ponce, Teacher at Jefferson Elementary School

    Mr. Ponce worked as a Peace Corps volunteer as a young man. After completing his service he was pleased to find a teaching job at Jefferson Elementary, where being bilingual and working with Spanish-speaking students was reminiscent of his Peace Corps experience. Thirty years later he is still teaching at Jefferson. His first assignment was in Kindergarten. He then taught 5th grade, during which time he had the joy of teaching both of his sons. His older son is now in ninth grade at Carlsbad High School, and his younger son is in middle school. Mr. Ponce currently teaches 2nd grade. “It has been a wonderful 30 years here at Jefferson,” he happily reports. “For me, this job was meant to be.”

    Sandra Libertino, Teacher at Valley Middle School

    Ms. Libertino began her career with Carlsbad Unified in 1995 at Magnolia Elementary School, teaching 6th and 2nd grades. She next served as a Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) mentor for the district, and then joined the staff at Aviara Oaks Middle School where she taught Math for 14 years. She now teaches at Valley Middle School and loves it. “It has all been fantastic teaching in the Carlsbad community and after 30 years I’m now teaching with one of my former 2nd graders!” Ms. Libertino reports, “I especially love teaching middle school Math. The students have been sweet and it’s fun to watch them grow and mature, and the parents are supportive and generous. I can’t believe it has been 30 years, and I am looking forward to 30 more.”

    25-year pins

    These are the 22 dedicated Carlsbad Unified employees being honored this year for their impressive 25 years of service: Teachers Erica Horner from Aviara Oaks Elementary; Tessa Sherman-Ploski and Bethany Murphy from Aviara Oaks Middle; Linda Ferrara, Alexa Livingstone, and Scott Ogden from Carlsbad High School; Christine Wolfson from Hope Elementary; Michelle Gizzi from Kelly Elementary; Anne Hampton, Katie Jordan, Megan Smith, and Kathleen Shearer from Pacific Rim Elementary; and Robert Alper, Mia Lewis, Jennifer Prock, and Melony Schroh from Valley Middle School.

    Also celebrated are classified employees Christine Mazurkiewicz, Nutrition Services, from Calavera Middle School; Allyson Roberts-Torres, Library Media Technician, from Carlsbad High School; Terrie Gruntowicz, custodian at Kelly Elementary; Karl Offill, custodian at Pacific Rim Elementary; and Kathryn Nichols and Emily Smith from Pupil Services.

    We appreciate the important work our team does everyday. We thank all of them for their commitment to Carlsbad Unified’s students and to our mission to provide every student an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment.

  • On behalf of Superintendent Dr. Andrea Norman

    Dear CUSD Students, Families, and Staff,

    Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! I hope you had a wonderful summer and enjoyed meaningful time with family and friends. As your new Superintendent, I am truly honored to begin my first year in Carlsbad Unified School District. I’m excited to meet the incredible students, dedicated staff, engaged families, and supportive community members who make CUSD such a special place to learn and grow.

    This year, our theme is “Elevate Every Learner.” Our shared goal is to ensure that every CUSD student receives an exceptional educational experience—one that offers rich, meaningful opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Through rigorous curriculum, engaging instruction, and the commitment of our talented classified and certificated staff, we equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in a diverse and ever-changing world.

    Throughout the summer, district staff worked diligently to provide enriching programs for students to help them prepare for the year ahead. One exciting highlight was the first annual Language Academy held at Jefferson Elementary, where nearly 100 elementary students strengthened their English Language reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. In partnership with the Carlsbad Education Foundation (CEF), students also participated in a variety of weeklong enrichment camps focused on music, art, robotics, technology, performance, and online learning opportunities for grades 7–12.

    Ahead of the 2025–26 school year, CUSD offered a robust lineup of professional learning opportunities for teachers. The annual Sizzling Summer Workshops offered three optional half-days of engaging sessions on topics such as student engagement strategies, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), AI in the classroom, EduProtocols, strengths-based learning, and more. Nearly 150 teachers and certificated staff participated, with presenters primarily drawn from CUSD’s own talented educators. On August 14, all staff gathered at Carlsbad High School for a full-day event beginning with a motivational keynote, followed by two self-selected 90-minute sessions from a menu of 25+ offerings, and concluding with grade-level or department collaboration. All sessions connect to this year’s theme—UDL in Action: Elevating Every Learner—ensuring relevant, inspiring, and high-impact learning experiences to launch the school year.

    As the 2024–2025 school year came to a close, many of our campuses became hubs of activity with Measure HH summer improvement projects. Here are just a few of the exciting developments:

    • Buena Vista Elementary School began preparations for a highly anticipated, campus-wide modernization. Temporary classrooms now house our preschool program as the next phase of construction gets underway.

    • Aviara Oaks Elementary School continued its two-year renovation project, with this summer’s efforts enhancing outdoor learning spaces, upgrading field areas, and improving traffic flow for greater safety.

    • At Aviara Oaks Middle School, construction progressed on a new two-story building that will house a modern administrative office, a counseling center, and six new classrooms. This state-of-the-art facility is on track to open by Spring Break 2026.

    • Pacific Rim Elementary School saw upgrades to fire alarm and access control systems and completed vital underground utility work in preparation for a new eight-classroom building.

    These Measure HH projects would not be possible without the support of our community. They reflect years of thoughtful planning and are part of our ongoing commitment to providing safe, modern, and inspiring learning environments for all students.

    As we begin this new academic year, I look forward to celebrating the achievements, growth, and connections that make Carlsbad Unified a place of excellence. Thank you for your continued partnership and support of our students, staff, and schools.

    Here’s to a successful and inspiring 2025–2026 school year!

    Warm regards,
    Dr. Andrea Norman
    Superintendent of Schools
    Carlsbad Unified School District

  • Safe Schools for Students

    Dear Carlsbad Unified School District Community,

    We are excited to welcome our students back for what promises to be another inspiring year in CUSD. While this is a time of excitement and new beginnings, we also recognize that recent local and national conversations around immigration may be creating uncertainty or concern for some families.

    We want to reaffirm our commitment to the sense of safety and well-being of every student in Carlsbad Unified. Our schools should be places where all students, regardless of background or immigration status, feel safe, supported, and valued.

    We follow Board Policy 5145.13: Response to Immigration Enforcement, the guidance of the California Attorney General, and all applicable state and federal laws. These policies and protections ensure that every child has equitable access to the education they deserve.

    A few important reminders for our community:

    • Right to a Free Public Education: The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Plyler v. Doe (1982) guarantees every child the right to a free public education, regardless of immigration status.

    • Confidentiality of Information: CUSD does not request or maintain information regarding a student’s or family’s immigration status during enrollment. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects student records from disclosure without proper legal authorization.

    • State Legal Protections: Under California law, including Assembly Bill 699 (2017), school districts and their employees are prohibited from assisting with federal immigration enforcement activities except in very limited and specific circumstances. These safeguards help ensure our schools remain safe, inclusive learning environments for all.

    CUSD is committed to cultivating school communities where every student feels welcome, respected, and prepared to thrive. In alignment with California Education Code 220 and Board Policy 5145.3, we will continue to ensure our students’ rights and promote a sense of belonging.

    If you have questions or need support, the State of California offers resources and information for families on its website. Together, as partners in education, we can ensure CUSD remains a place where every student is welcomed, respected, and prepared to thrive.

    Thank you for your trust, your support, and for being an essential part of the CUSD family.

  • About Dr. Norman

    Dr. Andrea Norman has dedicated over 27 years to public education, serving in a wide range of roles across five California school districts. She began her career in 1997 with the Los Angeles Unified School District as an elementary school teacher, where she taught second through fifth grades for more than six years. In 2001, she transitioned into school administration as an Assistant Principal and later served as an Elementary Principal in the Temecula Valley and Saddleback Valley Unified School Districts for over a decade.

    Following 13 years in site leadership, Dr. Norman moved into district-level administration, serving as Director of K-12 Curriculum and Instruction in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District for over three years. In 2019, she joined the Oceanside Unified School District as Director of Certificated Human Resources. In 2021, she was appointed Associate Superintendent of Business Services and earned her Chief Business Officer (CBO) Certification from the California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO).

    Dr. Norman holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from California State University, Long Beach; a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from California State University, Dominguez Hills; and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Southern California. Her doctoral studies focused on student success through site leadership and data-driven decision-making.

    Dr. Norman is deeply committed to equipping educators with the resources and tools essential for fostering student achievement. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated unwavering dedication to ensuring that every student has access to the opportunities, support, and services needed to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.