It was great to welcome all of the staff at the start of the 2018-2019 school year during the opening session on Monday. We had a pretty terrific breakfast sponsored by SCIA, Green Plains, New York Life, and Wilson Insurance. This breakfast is a long-held tradition and we greatly appreciate the support from the business community. Strong schools, communities, and businesses grow together so the support these business partners extend to the District is extremely valuable.
The Shenandoah Iowa Education Foundation also greeted the staff and several community members announced donations to join the Foundation's $100 Club. I appreciate the purpose of the foundation and I am pleased to support it. I am excited to see the future of the Foundation and the relationship that is formed.
I also had the privilege of spending time talking with the entire staff about the importance of public education, being strong advocates, and taking great pride in being educators. I also encouraged the staff to not underestimate the powerful influence they have and the impact they make on their students' lives. Every interaction we have with our students leaves an impression, and we want it to be a positive reflection of their experience at Shenandoah CSD. Our staff is fully vested in acclimating to the start of the year and has spent a great amount of time preparing for the students to return on Thursday. I am pleased with their efforts to dive in so they are prepared. Their schedules are full but they also know how to have a great time together as well. Having fun together in the work environment is important as it helps all of us build strong relationships and effective teams.
Our students have already had their first cross country meet and open house is tonight starting at 5:00 PM. Tomorrow is a big day for all of us. The students will be back and we have been planning and waiting for this day for months! Our staff is ready and committed to making this a great school year. Join me in celebrating tomorrow as a very special day, the first day of school for our students and staff.
