Principal's Message

Dear Santa Fe South Spero Elementary Community,

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year at Santa Fe South Spero Elementary! My name is Carson Aldridge, and I am honored to join this incredible community as your new principal.

At Spero Elementary, we encompass both a lower school (PreK-1st Grade) and an upper school (2nd Grade-5th Grade), providing a comprehensive and nurturing educational environment for our students. Our mission is to prove what is possible by helping all children succeed and achieve to their fullest potential.

We value courage, compassion, and connection in everything we do. These core values guide our commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive atmosphere where every student can thrive.

I am excited to bring my 16 years of experience in education to Spero, and I look forward to working with our dedicated staff, engaged parents, and, most importantly, our wonderful students. Together, we will create a positive and enriching school experience for all.

Thank you for welcoming me into your community. I look forward to a fantastic year ahead!

Warm regards,

Carson Aldridge
Principal, Santa Fe South Spero Elementary

Hello new and returning Spero families, 

I am Andrea Chrisman, and I will be the Assistant Principal and point of contact for Spero students from Pre-K to First Grade. I began my career in East San Jose, California. I taught in that community for 5 years and moved to San Francisco to teach in younger grades. Six years ago I returned to my home, Oklahoma to teach and learn. This year will be my 15th year in education and I am so excited to meet you, your kids, and all of the people that are important to them. You are always welcome at Spero Lower and I encourage your involvement.This is truly a partnership to ensure we all succeed, families, school and most importantly students. I have an open door and welcome for you to come share your aspirations for your child. I also want to share that I am bilingual, I have a college degree in Spanish Literature and my dad was born and raised in Venezuela and used Spanish often in my home growing up, but sometimes you’ll have to give me grace when I mess up.

We are thrilled to have you all be a part of our school community. At our school, we believe that education is the foundation for a lifetime of success. Our staff is committed to creating a positive, inclusive, and engaging learning environment that fosters academic excellence, social growth, and personal development. We strive to help every student reach their full potential, and we are dedicated to providing the resources and support necessary for their success.

We also recognize that parents and families play a vital role in the education process. At Santa Fe South, we refer to the partnership between students, school, and families as "La Familia," and we encourage open communication and collaboration between home and school. Together, we can work towards providing the best possible educational experience for our students.

Thank you for entrusting us with the education of your child. We look forward to a wonderful year of growth and learning ahead!

Andrea Chrisman, SFS Spero Lower Assistant Principal

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Hola familias nuevas y recurrentes de Spero,

Soy Andrea Chrisman, y seré la subdirectora y punto de contacto para las familias y estudiantes de Spero desde preescolar hasta primer grado. Comencé mi carrera en el este de San José, California. Enseñé en esa comunidad durante 5 años y me mudé a San Francisco para enseñar en los grados más jóvenes. Hace seis años regresé a mi estado, Oklahoma, para enseñar y aprender. Este año será mi 15 año en educación y estoy muy emocionada de conocerlos a ustedes, a sus hijos y a todas las personas que son importantes para ellos. Siempre serán bienvenidos en Spero Lower y los animó a involucrarse, porque esta es una asociación para garantizar que todos tengamos éxito, las familias, la escuela y, lo más importante, los estudiantes. Las puertas están abiertas y les doy la bienvenida para que vengan a compartir sus aspiraciones para su estudiante. También quiero compartirles que soy bilingüe, tengo un título universitario en Literatura de español y mi papá nació y creció en Venezuela y usaba el español en mi casa mientras crecía, pero a veces tendrán que darme gracia cuando me equivoque. 

Estamos encantados de que todos ustedes formen parte de nuestra comunidad escolar. En nuestra escuela, creemos que la educación es la base para una vida de éxito. Nuestro personal está comprometido a crear un entorno de aprendizaje positivo, inclusivo y atractivo que fomente la excelencia académica, el crecimiento social y el desarrollo personal. Nos esforzamos por ayudar a cada estudiante a alcanzar su máximo potencial y estamos dedicados a brindar los recursos y el apoyo necesarios para su éxito.

También reconocemos que los padres y las familias desempeñan un papel vital en el proceso educativo. En Santa Fe South, nos referimos a la asociación entre los estudiantes, la escuela y las familias como "La Familia" y animamos la comunicación abierta y colaboración entre el hogar y la escuela. Juntos, podemos trabajar para brindar la mejor experiencia educativa posible a nuestros estudiantes.

Gracias por confiarnos la educación de su estudiante. ¡Esperamos un año maravilloso de crecimiento y aprendizaje por delante! 

Andrea Chrisman, SFS Spero Lower Assistant Principal