Principal's Message

Dear Brightwood Families, 

Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year at Brightwood Elementary, home of the STARs! I’m honored to continue serving as your Principal and truly grateful for your ongoing support and partnership.

As we look ahead, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible accomplishments of the past year—achievements that reflect the heart, dedication, and unity of our Brightwood community.

🌟 Brightwood was awarded the California PBIS Platinum Level Recognition, the highest state honor for creating a positive, inclusive, and supportive school environment.
🌟 We are the first school in California to receive the Thriving School Award for excellence in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) implementation, specifically in the area of Family and Community Engagement—a groundbreaking achievement that highlights the strength of our school-family partnerships.
🌟 We proudly hosted our first-ever Cultural Diversity Festival, along with monthly Heritage Month celebrations and assemblies, honoring the rich backgrounds and voices that make up our school community.
🌟 We made tremendous strides in implementing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) across classrooms—ensuring that instruction is inclusive, flexible, and accessible to all students. This approach is helping us better meet the diverse learning needs of every child and empower them to succeed in ways that work best for them.

These milestones affirm our collective commitment to building a school where every child feels seen, supported, and empowered.

As we enter this new school year, our focus on SEL and equity continues. Through meaningful programming, we’ll help students develop the skills to manage emotions, build healthy relationships, and make responsible decisions. We will also deepen our efforts to ensure every student is given equitable opportunities to thrive.

Let’s continue working together to provide the very best for our students. My door is always open—please feel free to call or email to connect, share ideas, or schedule a conversation.

Stay tuned for updates from both the Alhambra Unified School District and myself regarding important programs, events, and resources to support your child’s success.

To our new families—welcome to Brightwood! We are thrilled to have you join our vibrant, diverse, and caring community.

At Brightwood, our students shine as S.T.A.R.s: Safe, Trying, Accountable, and Respectful. Let’s keep fostering a culture of growth, celebration, and excellence—ensuring every child reaches their full potential.

Thank you for your trust and partnership. Let’s make the 2025–2026 school year truly extraordinary!

With appreciation,
Candace Griego
Principal
Brightwood Elementary School