I am so excited to welcome our students back to school on August 8, 2022, for my first full year as superintendent. We will begin school with full, in-person learning for the first time in two years! It is no surprise that social distancing has led to social disorder. After two and a half years of distancing, our kids are having to relearn how to, “play together in the sandbox.”
Research shows that when people are socially connected, they experience increased feelings of belonging, self-worth, and confidence. Connectedness can be defined as “the degree to which a person or group is socially close, interrelated, or shares resources with other persons or groups.” Kids want and need to be with their friends. It increases learning and makes school fun.
For the first time in two years, our teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals “connected” for a back-to-school instructional fair. My message was simple. This year we will be focused and intentional to “reCONNECT” after a long period of “socially distancing.” I believe we all have a superpower, and for our administrators, teachers, and school staff, connection is the key to unlocking our superpowers. There is nothing more significant than changing a person’s life. The “connections” you make are essential to unlock your power to make a lasting impact and change lives each and every day.
When humans feel connected to something bigger than themselves, they find purpose and meaning in their life. The great exchange is we find greater meaning in our own life when we help others find meaning in theirs. I hope everyone in our community will join us to help our students reCONNECT through academic, social, and extracurricular activities. It’s going to be a great year!
