La Conner Schools are thriving. I feel so blessed to be in such an amazing school district surrounded by a caring, involved and supportive community. Thank you to everyone who is part of our success. As we look ahead to what we expect to focus on in 2018, a few themes come to mind.

Relationships. We are a people business, and spending time strengthening our relationships is a critical priority. Both within our district as well as the larger community, we hope to build more connections. An excellent example of this is our new and improved after school program, the Braves Club. We greatly appreciate the community support to help this program develop its new structure this year.

Achievement. The reason school districts exist is to help all kids learn. In addition to our ongoing emphasis on literacy, math, and the arts, we have several new curricular initiatives in progress. These focus on STEM, Tribal Sovereignty Curriculum and Science and the Swinomish. We are also building a system of professional development for our staff that will provide more time for collaboration to strengthen the teaching profession and student learning. In addition, we are reflecting on ways to empower students to be independent and interdependent learners, as well as to consider how to strengthen the way students engage with their learning daily.

Strategic Planning. The district has a Strategic Road Map that focuses on three key areas: Student Progress, Caring Environment and Communication and Problem Solving. We have built another layer for this work by forming focus groups to consider current and preferred realities, as well as how to achieve our preferred reality. Topics for these groups include Science Curriculum, Safety and Emergency, Since Time Immemorial Curriculum, Technology, Alternative School, CTE Program Development, 2018-19 Training Calendar, Support for Federal Programs and Facility Use Guidelines. We would welcome parent and community involvement on these Focus Groups.

Finance. As we begin 2018, we are in a transition between the old and new models of school finance. Our state legislature has significantly overhauled the structure of school funding, and we, along with the other 294 school districts, will have a steep learning curve as we work through the transition. As learning is our business, we welcome this opportunity.

Relationships. Did I mention relationships? It’s worth stating again. Especially during times of transition, such as onboarding a new superintendent, or shifting school funding systems, there is bound to be confusion and uncertainty. Our greatest assets are each other, and it’s absolutely imperative that we support and strengthen our relationships, especially in times of change.

Please know we welcome questions, partnerships, and involvement in our schools. We take the word “public” in public education very seriously. We also believe greatly in the miracles that happen every day in our schools.