San Leandro, CA—The San Leandro Unified School District (SLUSD) is proud to recognize Ms. Graciela Vargas, custodian at San Leandro High School’s Fred T. Korematsu (FTK) campus, as the district’s 2025 Classified Employee of the Year.
Ms. Vargas is widely admired for her tireless commitment to keeping the campus clean, safe, and welcoming for students and staff. Known for her warmth, generosity, and ever-present smile, she brings a spirit of joy and care to everything she does. Whether she's hard at work behind the scenes or lending a hand to a colleague, Ms. Vargas’s impact is deeply felt across the school community.
Ms. Vargas began her journey with SLUSD two decades ago, starting as a substitute in both the cafeteria and custodial teams. Over the years, she has worked at several schools, including McKinley Elementary and Bancroft Middle School, before eventually joining the team at San Leandro High School’s FTK campus, where she continues to serve with distinction. Along the way, she earned the admiration of everyone she worked with.
“Ms. Vargas exemplifies the heart of SLUSD,” said Dr. Michael McLaughlin, Superintendent of San Leandro Unified. “Her dedication, kindness, and joyful spirit uplift everyone around her. She helps create a space where students and staff feel proud to belong. We are honored to celebrate her and grateful for the invaluable contributions she makes every single day.”
Please join all of San Leandro Unified in congratulating Ms. Vargas on her achievement, as well as the following exceptional classified staff members chosen by their schools for consideration as the district launches its annual celebration of
SLUSD Classified Employee Appreciation Week.
