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John’s Journal
Reflections from the Superintendent
Welcome back to school! I am excited about what we can accomplish together for students in the coming year.
Much of the groundwork for this school year was laid over the summer months. Many of our teachers participated professional development…. Construction of new schools was completed, and schools moved into new facilities...
Nearly 2,000 students benefited from summer school programs.
During one of my summer school visits, I spoke with a teacher who teaches at Pacific during the school year. He shared with me the work summer school students were doing in
Reader's Writer's Workshop. As we spoke, he talked about how supported he felt as a new teacher. The Peer Mentor program and his colleagues at Pacific had provided invaluable assistance as he began his career. It is always encouraging to hear how much support we provide one another when we reach out.
These first few days of school have been exhilarating! Approximately 955 new kindergartners started in Highline Public Schools this fall. They come to school every day with such excitement and joy! I want to bottle some of that!
Over the last couple of weeks, I have had the privilege to visit ten schools. On the first day of school, I was amazed to see most students fully engaged in their learning. I watched as three small schools—Global Connections, A.C.E., and Odyssey—kicked off the new year on the Tyee campus, each with their own opening assembly. I visited Mount Rainier High School, and spoke with staff and parents as they faced the challenges that come with opening school in a new neighborhood.
I visited classrooms, spoke with teachers, and saw administrators addressing the many challenges that exist this time of year.
I participated in two ribbon-cutting ceremonies, celebrating the beautiful new facilities at North Hill and Mount View. At North Hill, a young boy looked up as he entered school on the first day and told his mother, "I feel rich - like I am going to a private school.” I was reminded of how a young person feels when we honor him with a quality place to learn.
Here are some of the things I learned my first week:
1. I learned how to communicate "Nice to meet you" in sign language from two teachers at Bow Lake.
2. I learned that our support staff must be some of the best in the region.
3. I learned that I need to continue to listen.
I look forward to an exciting year as students, you, and I all continue to learn and make Highline a place of excellence.
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