Springfield Schools was honored to have the Springfield Blue Devils Wicked Wheels Car Fest included in the year-long schedule of festivities celebrating the Village of Holland’s 100th anniversary. Mayor Lee Irons presented to the district a new “Village of Holland Centennial Best of Show” presentation trophy during the event that will remain in the district and be engraved with the name of each year’s recipient. The trophy and engraving, donated by McClure Insurance, is another example of the traditions and relationships that define our quality of life.
That Different Perspective …continuing my thoughts as we start another new year Last year, as I prepared my first message for the start of the 2022-23 school year, I began by writing the words, “I don’t want to look back!” As I’ve mentioned in past columns, I often look at prior efforts to motivate my thoughts and to make sure that I sustain focus and keep my thoughts on track. Well, this time, those words stopped me in my tracks–here I was actually doing something that I said I wanted to avoid. Or, am I?
Instead of distress, I actually found a renewed perspective; I remain as energized as I was last August to continue our reach towards tomorrow’s bright promise. As in 2022, I believe that the challenges we’ve overcome together inspired new and better ways to do our jobs. To make meaningful connections, to bravely step away from paradigms and the “we’ve always done it this way” attitudes that overshadow the bold, the innovative, the new and the different. Heck, in that column I even quoted Kermit the Frog who suggested, “Take a look above you. Discover the view. If you haven’t noticed, please do. Please do!” I prefer to think that my occasional quick glances in the rearview mirror are necessary, if only to honor each action, each step and each person who has gotten me (and us) to the start of this 2023-24 school year.
I find inspiration in the continued focus provided by our portrait of a graduate (POG) and the renewed sense of expectation this work brings for the upcoming school year. The competencies identified by the POG design team guide the district’s strategic direction: adaptability, communication, critical thinking, integrity, leadership and perseverance. Our work over the past two years has provided a myriad of connections that matter in our trajectory to success. There are countless resources available to us and the time is now to look up and discover the view. To move forward towards the promises awaiting our students, families, colleagues and community partners.
Things to look forward to include:
•Getting to know us better. Families have loved the Jump Start Days first offered last year for elementary and intermediate students. The new chances to explore our high and middle schools during the week of August 14 through 18 have also met with approval– we truly listen and act on many ideas to improve access and convenience for all.
•The expertise, compassion and support that is available for students and families is unmatched throughout the region. There are some with new titles, some with new roles and others who are joining us to begin long careers in the district. We know that you will welcome and support them, as you have the rest of us–we are in this together to ensure that the mission of offering exceptional education for today’s learners and tomorrow’s leaders are more than words and the POG competencies are more than words–they are daily reminders of our purpose.
•Learning more about how the construction dust hasn’t stopped our staff from preparing for the safe return of students later this month. Can I just take an extra sec to commend our maintenance and custodial staff. They’ve had their hands full and, as always, rise to every challenge. We hope you get a chance to visit the new Everett W. Harris Administrative and Educational Complex. We also will soon update everyone on the status of the work at Springfield High School, some exciting changes planned for home athletic events. No matter how you look at it, we are about to begin another exciting journey into the known and unknown. I know I am excited that we’re taking this journey together.
