District Community Update

It is hard to believe we are already almost a quarter of the way through the school year! With students settled in and working hard across all grades, we want to share several important celebrations, upcoming calendar items, and district initiatives.

Community Celebrations & Facilities Update

The recent Bulldog Bash was a tremendous success! We welcomed approximately 500 community members to our facilities for a vibrant evening of connection, school pride, and togetherness.

• Special Recognition: A heartfelt thank you to our administrative team—and, in particular, Cera Norwood—for an outstanding job of recruiting, organizing, and executing this wonderful event.

• Construction Tours: Many attendees took the opportunity to tour the construction site of our new high school wing. Community members expressed great enthusiasm and were thoroughly impressed by the project's steady progress.

Upcoming Calendar & Extended Four-Day Weekend

Please mark your calendars for two upcoming non-instructional days for students, creating an extended four-day weekend for our families:

October 9, 2026

Friday

State In-Service Day (No School for Students) — Teachers will work locally and statewide on professional development to better equip ourselves for today's learners.

October 12, 2026

Monday

Indigenous Peoples' Day (No School) — All school buildings and district offices will be closed in observance.

We hope all of our families enjoy this restful extended weekend together!

Important Seasonal Reminders & Policies

Halloween Costumes at School

As we move into October and families begin preparing for Halloween, please review the following safety and dress guidelines if your student plans to wear a costume to school:

• Strict Weapon Policy: Costumes must not include weapons or weapon facsimiles/look-alikes of any kind.

• Safety & Activity Guidelines: Please ensure costumes allow students to move safely, see clearly, and fully participate in regular classroom activities while adhering to general school dress standards.

Key District Initiatives & Focus Areas

Attendance Matters Every Day!

This school year, our district maintains a laser focus on student attendance. Consistent daily attendance is one of the strongest predictors of long-term academic success and engagement.

• Parent Updates & Support: We will regularly share attendance updates along with resources and strategies to support you in keeping your student in class every day.

• Summer Learning Priority: To support students with higher-than-expected absences, priority enrollment will be offered for upcoming summer learning programs to help recover valuable instructional time.

Fall Progress Monitoring: NWEA MAP Growth

This fall, we introduced a state-approved assessment framework using NWEA MAP Growth to closely monitor student academic growth.

• Targeted Grades: Students in grades K–9 will complete these brief assessments three times per year (fall, winter, and spring).

• Instructional Purpose: Results help teachers track individual growth, tailor daily classroom instruction, and address learning needs early in the academic year.

• Reporting & Conferences: Summary data will be shared with the Board of Education three times a year to measure district progress. In addition, teachers will discuss your student’s personalized results with you during upcoming Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership, dedication, and support of our students, staff, and schools!

Mike Gass, Superintendent