Principal's Message
Dear William Howard Taft Families,
I hope you are all well, safe, and enjoying this summer with family and friends. It is with immense excitement and honor that I introduce myself, Carolina Michel, as the new principal of William Howard Taft Elementary School. I've already heard so many wonderful things about our vibrant community, and I am genuinely thrilled to join you.
I bring 29 years of experience in education to Taft. I began my journey as a teacher in 1996, a role I cherished for 15 years, before transitioning into administration in 2011. Since then, I've had the privilege of serving in various capacities, including assistant principal, instructional services specialist, principal, and coordinator for English Learner Services. Returning to a principal position here at Taft feels like coming home, and I am so eager to serve this community. Our Board of Education, along with our Superintendent Sonia Llamas, join me in warmly welcoming all of our scholars back for a new school year, ready to continue our focus on a culture of success for all.
All of us at William Howard Taft Elementary are eager and excited to launch the 2025-2026 school year with student engagement, learning, and well-being at the forefront. Our mission is clear: to deliver the best first instruction that engages and empowers every student, providing tailored learning experiences that meet their individual needs and interests. Through a supportive community, we cultivate a culture of excellence where every student's potential is realized every day. We are dedicated to preparing our students to be college and career-ready, equipped with the skills and mindset to succeed in our rapidly changing, global society. Together with you, our valued partners, we will ensure our scholars receive everything they need to thrive.
Consistent school attendance is incredibly important for our scholars’ academic and social-emotional development and success. We truly appreciate your commitment to teaching and modeling to your child the importance of attending school every day and on time. You'll find helpful district and school resources on our website at https://taft.riversideunified.org/. Please also take a moment to log into Aeries to confirm your child’s data before the start of the school year; the link for Data Confirmation is https://www.riversideunified.org/.
The RUSD 2025-2026 school year will begin on Monday, August 11, 2025. Our campus will open at 8:00 AM for students to arrive and enjoy breakfast. The first school bell will ring at 8:30 AM, with instruction beginning promptly at 8:35 AM.
As your principal, it is incredibly important to me that everyone who steps through our doors feels welcome and excited to be here. My door is always open, and I truly value your input. Please feel free to call or email me to discuss any ideas or concerns you might have throughout the school year. We genuinely look forward to partnering with you to help your student(s) at William Howard Taft Elementary meet their goals and have a successful school year.
With warm regards,
Carolina Michel, Principal