More than 1,500 Oceanside School District educators and staff members gathered for the district’s annual Superintendent’s Conference Day, but this year’s return-to-school tradition came with a little extra magic.
Held at Oceanside High School on Aug. 31, the day before students returned to classrooms, the conference day was intended to welcome staff back and set an inspirational tone for the 2026-27 school year. The district’s theme this year is “Magic in Every Moment,” a message that was incorporated throughout the day.
Superintendent Phyllis Harrington said the event brings together employees from across the district, including teachers, teacher assistants, aides, monitors, clerical workers and custodial staff.
“We’re always so excited to welcome everybody back,” she said. “The goal for me is to welcome everyone, but also to be as motivational and inspirational as we possibly can.”
The morning began with a performance by Greg Bennick, a magician, juggler and motivational speaker. Harrington said that Bennick’s presentation featured audience participation while connecting his message to the district’s core values.
The district’s philosophy is centered on being “anchored together by purpose, passion and people.” Belonging, relationships and the accomplishments of students and staff are at the heart of the district’s work, Harrington said.
The presentation also reinforced this year’s theme: that “magic” can be found in everyday moments throughout the school community.
“Magic happens every day in every classroom,” Harrington said. “Sometimes in very, very small ways. They don’t always have to be grandiose events or actions.”
The morning also included welcoming remarks from district leadership, and recognition of employees who have spent 25 years serving the district. About 25 employees reached the milestone this year.
Then came a surprise. As the conference appeared to be winding down, district administrators took to the stage for a song-and-dance performance of “Magic to Do,” the opening number from the musical “Pippin.”
Michelle Taplin, the Oceanside High School theatre teacher, choreographed the routine and helped administrators prepare for the performance.
Taplin said that Harrington wanted top staffers — including Harrington herself, all three assistant superintendents, Jerel Cokley, Diane Provvido and Michelle Villa, and Oceanside Middle School Principal Allison Glickman-Rogers — to take part to add excitement to the morning and encourage everyone in attendance to embrace the district’s theme.
“She likes making everything so exciting,” Taplin said.
The performers rehearsed the week before staff returned, with Taplin teaching them the choreography. While some were more excited about singing and dancing than others, Taplin said the experience ultimately resulted in plenty of laughter and fun.
“It’s not like everyone is a dancer,” she said. “Everyone obviously comes from their own strengths, but … the whole purpose is, like, we’re better together.”
For Taplin, the performance demonstrated that finding the magic in everyday moments can sometimes mean stepping outside of one’s comfort zone. And it gave teachers a chance to see their leadership team in a different light, she added, while reinforcing the idea that everyone plays a role in creating a strong school community.
Gavin Kalner, president of the Oceanside Federation of Teachers, said that the event brings administrators, teachers, board members and PTA representatives together and sparks their enthusiasm for welcoming students back. “It’s really a nice event,” he said, “because it’s one of the few days where we have really most of the stakeholders in society come together and share in that common purpose.”
The day also gives staff some time to prepare their classrooms, review student rosters and organize for the first day of school.
The district’s broader priorities for the school year were scheduled to be presented at a Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, after the Herald went to press. The district’s framework, Harrington said, includes curriculum and instruction, professional learning, technology, community outreach, facilities and operations, communication, social and emotional literacy, and meeting the needs of all learners.
For now, the focus is on beginning the year on a positive note. “The school year opened as seamlessly as you could hope,” Harrington said, crediting the work of teachers, administrators, parents, clerical staff and custodial workers. “It’s a joint effort, for sure,” she said. “But I’m really, really proud of the way the school year started.”
