“Every day is a gift with a child, no matter what problems you have.”
-Carol Ann Duffy

Monday is the first day for students in our district. How excited they must be! Anticipation and hope well up in the hearts of children and parents on the eve of a new school year. New clothes, new shoes, and fresh supplies make for a restless night of sleep. Our families send their best to our schools and they deserve our best in return. Giving our students the best means:

Being a safe place for children to learn, grow, and challenge themselves.

Establishing routines and expectations that promote active learning.

Showing a passion for learning that is contagious and enduring.

Taking the time to know students on a personal level; their likes, dislikes, fears, and strengths.

Great teachers and school leaders know that children learn best when they feel a connection to their school, their teacher, and their classmates. These values are not found in state standards or in textbooks, but they are equally, if not more important.

Let’s make sure that we give our teachers the freedom to establish welcoming classrooms that value the individuality of every child. Before we turn our focus to collecting data, let’s show students that we care deeply about the unique and amazing individuals they are.