Dear Cholla Families,

Welcome back! I hope your summer was filled with rest, fun, and time with the people who matter most. We are so excited to begin another school year with you!

Whether this is your first year with us or you’ve been part of the Cholla family for a while, thank you for choosing us. Your partnership means everything. When schools and families work together, amazing things happen for our kids, and at Cholla, that’s our daily mission.

This is my eleventh year at Cholla and it is a daily honor to lead such an extraordinary school. I started here as an instructional coach in 2015, became assistant principal in 2017, and have proudly served as principal since 2022. Before Cholla, I taught middle school science and STEM and mentored new teachers through the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching.

Each year, I’m reminded that what makes Cholla strong is our relationships: students who feel seen, teachers who feel supported, and families who feel connected. At Cholla, we have a vision of “Making Each Child Known,” and we make that vision a reality through collaboration, professional development, and by ensuring that every student has at least one strong relationship with a staff member. When students feel a sense of belonging, there is no limit to what they can achieve!

We have many fun traditions at Cholla and I look forward to continuing those with both you and your child. Please know that I’m your partner and my door is always open! Email me at mindy.pallagi@wesdschools.org if you have questions, feedback, or concerns. I look forward to seeing you and having a spectacular (and fun!) school year!

Always Charging Forward,

Mindy Pallagi
Principal
Cholla Middle School