New Principal at Rio Vista Gets Ready to Greet Students and Parents

One of the first things that the new principal at Rio Vista Elementary School will be teaching the students is that there are exceptions to the rule that a “U” follows a “Q” in spelling.

That’s because the new principal is named Pia Sadaqatmal and there’s no “U” after the “Q” in her name (an Afghani name that she got from her husband).

Pronounced Sa-da-CAT-mal, the new principal is replacing Kevin McClay, who is being transferred to Erwin Street Elementary School at 13400 Erwin St. in Van Nuys. With 819 students, it’s about double the size of Rio Vista at 4243 Satsuma Ave., and by all accounts he will be sorely missed. McClay ushered the Studio City students at Rio Vista into a 905 Academic Performance Index (API) score this past year (that’s out of 1,000)—among the highest gains in any public school in the east San Fernando Valley.

“I have worked closely with Mr. McClay and I plan to keep the high academic standards that he has established at the school,” Sadaqatmal told Studio City Patch, 

Her face is not new to Rio Vista’s campus. She has worked closely with McClay on the new Teacher’s Evaluation System that the Los Angeles Unified School District is implementing this year, and has worked on Professional Development trainings with many of the teachers.

“I have had a glimpse into the world of Rio Vista and I am excited about the strong parent involvement in the school,” Sadaqatmal said. “That is so important that the parents are strong partners with the teacher in their children’s education. That is why this school is so successful.”

The overall school population scored 82 percent overall proficiency in English, 83 percent in Math (that’s up from 67 and 60 percents only three years ago), and McClay had implemented a strong arts component to the curriculum that the administration believes helped with the students’ education.

“Art has been a big component to this school, and we plan to keep it that way,” Sadaqatmal said. Although the school is not a magnet school, nor a charter school, nor a charter-affiliate (like Carpenter or Colfax), it still has its own specialties and unique programs. “Integrating arts into the curriculum highlights critical thinking.”

Every student K-5 at the school takes a music class, which can involve ukulele or recorder lessons as part of their curriculum, and they are looking into starting a school band program. Every 5th grader is involved in a Ballroom Dancing class that shows poise, politeness and five different dances from the rumba to the cha-cha. They have music and art classes throughout the year.

The school has 435 to 450 students and is almost at capacity (similar to many of the neighboring schools like Carpenter, Colfax and Valley View Elementary schools), and it also has a diverse ethnic population, with 18 percent African-American, 12 percent Asian, 35 percent Hispanic.

“I love the diversity in the student population and I look forward to working with everyone,” said Sadaqatmal, who is Asian American.

A committee of parents and teachers, as well as Principal McClay, interviewed candidates for the principal position and they unanimously wanted Pia Sadaqatmal for the spot, said Yolanda Guerra, instructional director for LAUSD’s Education Service Center North.

“The committee was supposed to pick three candidates to recommend to the district, but they really wanted her,” Guerra said. “They knew she would support the work here and had the leadership and personality skills for the job. She was a good fit for this community.”

Sadaqatmal taught fourth grade in Arminta Elementary School in North Hollywood and Murchison Street Elementary School in East Los Angeles.

“I consider myself a teacher first,” Sadaqatmal said. “I want to build on the collaboration with the teachers here because they are really leaders.”

The new principal also wants to bring in new technology to the school, and looks forward to being involved with the community organizations in Studio City. The Reading Garden and front entrance garden were sponsored by Universal Studios, Studio City Beautification, Studio City Residents Association. The Studio City Farmer's Market and the Rotary Clubs of Universal and North Hollywood have also helped with local projects.  Rio Vista was also proud to receive 10 Electronic Smart Boards for some classrooms sponsored by School Board member Tamar Galatzan. 

She’s already received some vegetables from the school’s community garden in the nearby Weddington Park.

McClay did get a chance to say goodbye to the students and teachers at the end of last year. He knew a few days before the end of the school year that he would be transferred.

McClay, on the Rio Vista website, wrote: “I want to thank all of our Rio Vista Community of parents and staff members for another successful year.  Without all your hard work and dedication, Rio Vista could not be the successful school that we are.  Special thanks go out to the PTA for supporting Rio Vista in many ways, including our arts programs and fieldtrips, the 5th grade parents who raised money to send the 5th grade students to an overnight camp and the many, many school volunteers who support the school on a daily basis or when their schedule permits. I appreciate all the support for the students and the staff of Rio Vista.”

Get a chance to meet the new Rio Vista PTA, students and Prinicipal Pia Sadaqatmal next Saturday, Aug. 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at North Weddington Park in Studio City next to the school’s Hidden Garden at 10844 Acama Drive. Everyone is welcome to the picnic.

A New Parent Orientation is scheduled at the school on Thursday morning, Aug. 15 at 8:10 a.m.

School starts for all LAUSD public school students on Tuesday, Aug. 13. Most of the schools have it as a short day that ends at 1:20 p.m.

* A Video Greeting from Pia Sadaqatmal

See Pia Sadaqatmal's welcome to Rio Vista in an exclusive Studio City Patch video above. Add your thoughts about the new principal to the COMMENTS below.