District Newsletter
Good evening, USD 243 Families!
It is hard to believe we are already into the second quarter of the school year. The first quarter was a busy one across the district, with a lot happening both inside and outside of our classrooms. As we move forward, our focus remains on providing quality instruction, helping our students grow, and making sure they have opportunities to be successful.
Academically, we continue to build on the progress we have made over the past couple of years. Our district has shown improvement in several academic areas. This year, we are placing an additional emphasis on aligning our instruction with state standards while continuing to focus on the individual needs of our students. Members of our District Leadership Team, which includes administrators and teachers from both towns, recently went to Lawrence to discuss our newest KESA (accreditation) goals for the next two years. We feel good about where we are heading in terms of classroom instruction, but we also recognize there are areas where we need to continue improving.
Our students have been active in athletics, clubs, and other school activities throughout the first quarter. These opportunities are an important part of the overall educational experience and allow students to develop skills outside of the classroom. Our coaches, sponsors, and staff spend a great deal of time providing these opportunities, and we want to continue encouraging students to get involved.
Our district's strategic planning process is moving forward. I mentioned that we had over 100 community members, staff, and students participate in our two community meetings in September. Our administrative team and teacher leaders have begun reviewing the information gathered during those meetings to identify priorities. Once that work is completed, we will work with the Board of Education to finalize a plan that will help guide the district over the next several years.
We have also started the process of looking at the future of our district facilities. The results of our facility survey are helping guide discussions as we work toward our bond issue in March. We have established a Bond Steering Committee made up of community members from both Lebo and Waverly who are working with district leadership, architects, and construction professionals to identify and prioritize projects. The committee held its first meeting on October 21st, with discussions focusing on the needs of both communities and potential costs while keeping fiscal responsibility to taxpayers in mind. We will continue to share information as the process moves forward.
As we begin the second quarter, attendance, communication, and student responsibility remain important. Being at school, being prepared, and putting forth effort each day all play a role in student success. We encourage families to stay in contact with teachers and administrators when questions or concerns arise. Communication between home and school is important, and we want to make sure we are working together to support our students.
Finally, I appreciate the work our staff continues to put in each day and the support we receive from our families and communities. We have made progress over the past couple of years, but there is still work to do. Our goal is to continue improving instruction, providing opportunities for students, and making decisions that are in the best interest of the district.
Thank you for your continued support of Lebo-Waverly Schools!
Dustin Wilson, USD 243 Superintendent