Principal's Page

Over five years since the pandemic that turned education (and the world) on its ear, there are lingering effects that can be seen in data and felt in our everyday experience. The pandemic disrupted not just education- it shook the faith that many have in our institutions that have been stabilizing forces for decades. Fueled by social media echo chambers, distrust has become the new pandemic. More than ever, public schools need to emphasize building the skills essential to sustaining a healthy democracy: critical thinking and civil discourse. The proliferation of Artificial Intelligence has made it even more important for our young people to learn the difference between truth and fiction, and be able to identify reliable sources of information. 
Too often, the world seems polarized into an “us vs. them” mentality. One of our goals needs to be to help kids see the problems of the world from a “we” perspective. Our path forward is anchored by three essential commitments:

• As Educators: We continue to scrutinize our curriculum, both the written content and the "hidden curriculum" of our school culture. Our focus now is not just on identifying biases but on embedding culturally responsive instructional practices that ensure every student feels seen, challenged, and supported. We are dedicated to the ongoing work of fostering the values of tolerance, kindness, and mutual respect.

• As Parents and Community Members: We must continue to educate ourselves and foster vital, difficult conversations at home. In a largely homogeneous community like ours, it is essential that we actively seek out diverse perspectives to ensure our students graduate with not only the ability to respectfully disagree, but also the empathy required to thrive in a global society.

• Regarding School Safety and Wellness: While physical health protocols have shifted, our highest priority remains the physical, emotional, and intellectual safety of our learning environment. The mental health and wellness of our students and staff are paramount. My decisions will continue to be guided by the categorical imperative to always do what’s best for kids, using data, stakeholder input, and expert guidance to build consensus and shape our supportive policies and practices.

If nothing else, our journey through the tumultuous past few years has been an authentic opportunity to practice the school district’s Successful Habits of Mind: creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, communication, self-management, and perseverance.

It is, as always, an honor to lead such a fine group of people, and thank you for entrusting us with your children.