[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” module_class=”header” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_color=”off” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_direction=”120deg” background_color_gradient_stops=”#000000 75%|#009705 75%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”#000000″ background_color_gradient_start_position=”75%” background_color_gradient_end=”#009705″ background_color_gradient_end_position=”75%” background_image=”\/\/web.dusd.net\/sussman\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/60\/2020\/01\/halftone-white-background_115579-724.jpg” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_right” background_blend=”multiply” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”25px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” background_layout=”dark” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” module_id=”principal” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_color=”off” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_stops=”#e0e0e0 0%|#e0e0e0 100%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”#e0e0e0″ background_color_gradient_end=”#e0e0e0″ background_image=”\/\/web.dusd.net\/sussman\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/60\/2020\/01\/pattern-3.jpg” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_blend=”screen” custom_padding=”0|0px|20px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” background_color_phone=”#efefef” background_last_edited=”off|desktop” background_enable_color_phone=”on” background_enable_image_phone=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”16px|0px|0|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0|0px|0|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/sussman\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/60\/2026\/08\/00076_Nicassio_Katharine_01_web.jpg” alt=”Kathy Nicassio” title_text=”00076_Nicassio_Katharine_01_web” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Dear Sussman Pioneers, Families, and Community,<\/span><\/p>\n It is a privilege to serve the Sussman Middle School Community as your school principal. On behalf of our exceptional Sussman Staff, welcome to the 2026-2027 school year. We are looking forward to an exciting school year filled with opportunities to learn, grow, and experience joy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n At Sussman Middle School, 21st-century learners thrive as they prepare for their high school journey to become college and career ready, globally competitive, and citizens of strong character.<\/b><\/p>\n We are committed to embracing all Sussman students with compassion, nurture, and a sense of belonging and inclusion, as they begin and\/or continue their middle school journeys. We are excited to support our Pioneers as they prepare for their futures. Our dedicated staff is committed to creating a positive and safe learning environment in which we engage our students with a rigorous and meaningful curriculum.\u00a0 Sussman students develop strong academic foundations while engaging in critical thinking, inquiry, and real-world learning experiences that inspire them to become knowledgeable, reflective, and lifelong learners, building strong foundation for success in high school, college, and life.<\/span><\/p>\n We look forward to working together with our families to create the best learning environment for our students, providing them with access to numerous enrichment and intervention programs. <\/span>Coming to school every day is part of this journey and supports successful learning outcomes and positive connections and relationships for our students. Attendance is critical to our students’ learning, so thank you for your support in strengthening this important practice. <\/b>Our relationship with our families is essential! We are very proud to have won multiple Parent Teacher Association (PTA) awards over the last several years, and we invite you to join our PTA. We value and appreciate the collaboration with you, and we must continue to work together to help our students succeed.<\/span><\/p>\n We are proud of the many programs and clubs our school offers to support students and give them opportunities to reach their full potential. It is important that our students and families have all of the resources they need. Please do not hesitate to reach out if there is something we can support you with.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We are very grateful to our community for our continued partnership and the support that is consistently poured into our school. Thank you!<\/span><\/p>\n As a Pioneer family, we abide by the Pioneer Code: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe. This code is directly connected to the CHARACTER COUNTS! pillars of Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. These traits and this code can be applied everywhere, all the time.<\/span><\/p>\n We look forward to a great school year!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Principal\/\u00a0IB Head of School<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#F6DE0D” height=”100px” height_tablet=”” height_phone=”” height_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”15px||5px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”20px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ min_height=”96px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”5px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ header_font=”Contrail One||||||||” header_font_size=”44px” min_height=”100px” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”26px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” module_id=”mission” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”20px||34px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0|0px|0|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ custom_margin=”|20px||0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n At Sussman Middle School, 21st-century learners thrive as they prepare for their high school journey to become college and career-ready, globally competitive, and citizens of strong character.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ custom_margin=”|20px||0px” custom_padding=”24px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n At Sussman Middle School, we provide a safe, engaging, and rigorous learning experience that empowers all students to reach their full potential. We develop learners of strong character who demonstrate integrity, resilience, and compassion. Through a curriculum that fosters critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, we nurture future leaders who contribute meaningfully as responsible and reflective citizens in our local community and wider global context.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/sussman\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/60\/2024\/04\/IMG_0936-700×394-1.jpg” alt=”happy students” title_text=”IMG_0936-700×394″ align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ custom_margin_tablet=”10px||” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_id=”name” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#CECECE” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Dr. Edward A. Sussman served as Superintendent of Downey Unified School District from 1986-2003. Prior to this role, he served as Director of Secondary Education (1983\u20131986) and as Middle School Principal (1981\u20131983) at South Middle School.<\/p>\n Dr. Sussman earned his Ed.D. and his master\u2019s degree at the University of Southern California. He also holds a bachelor\u2019s degree from California State University, Los Angeles.<\/p>\n During his time in Downey Unified, Dr. Sussman implemented strong enforcement of high academic expectations and achievement and developed success models for students. Downey Unified School District received recognition for California Distinguished Schools Awards, National Awards for Exemplary Compensatory Education programs, National School Boards Model Program, and Vocational Education state honors under his leadership. He also worked to implement successful Safe Schools programs in collaboration with the Downey Police Department, and Dr. Sussman holds a lifetime membership to the Downey Council PTA.<\/p>\n Downey Unified School District Board of Education proudly renamed South Middle School Dr. Edward A. Sussman Middle School in 2001. We are proud of the work Dr. Sussman contributed to our community.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/web.dusd.net\/sussman\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/60\/2021\/08\/SP.png” alt=”SP icon” title_text=”SP” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#000000″ custom_padding=”1rem||1rem||false|false” global_module=”3097″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ custom_padding=”1rem||1rem||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” ul_font=”||||||||” text_orientation=”center” background_layout=”dark” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Our SchoolMeet Our PrincipalWelcome to Sussman Middle School,\u00a0 Home of the Pioneers! Dear Sussman Pioneers, Families, and Community, It is a privilege to serve the Sussman Middle School Community as your school principal. On behalf of our exceptional Sussman Staff, welcome to the 2026-2027 school year. We are looking forward to an exciting school year […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1142","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\r\nKatharine<\/span> Nicassio,<\/h4>\n
Our Instructional Focus: Writing – Write Here! Write Now!<\/h1>\n
Our Vision<\/h3>\n
Our Mission<\/h3>\n
About Our Name<\/h2>\n
Once a Pioneer, always a Pioneer!<\/h5>\n
Home of the Pioneers<\/strong> | Write Here! Write Now!<\/span><\/h3>\n