We’ve said it many times and we want to say it again—we’re so thankful for our community and staff. Teachers and school staff are experiencing one of the most challenging times in their careers. At the beginning of the pandemic, educators were celebrated and recognized for their passion and dedication to students. Now, 21 months later, those same educators are still going above and beyond to make sure students have unparalleled experiences in school. Teachers have been subbing during their prep times and all staff have been filling in where needed to cover staff absences, and we are asking teachers to keep kids caught-up even as it is hard to predict who will be in attendance on any given day. Teachers and staff—we see you, we hear you, and we appreciate you! 

To support our staff, we have hired additional building-level permanent substitutes. We have also eliminated all non-essential district and building level meetings and committee assignments. We want them to focus on our students and the essential learnings in our curriculum.

It is a good reminder to everyone to slow down, connect with your loved ones, and lean on one another for support. We’re all working to slow things down, reduce stress and enjoy the wins as they come. As we prioritize the children we serve, we are prioritizing health and wellbeing. We hope that as 2021 wraps up we can swap exhaustion with excitement. We can’t wait to see the magic you make in 2022!