Community Spirit–August 2024
Ryan Ruggles, District Administrator
Welcoming a New School Year with Innovation and Excitement
As the summer days gradually give way to the fall and the start of a new school year, I am filled with excitement and anticipation. We have so much to celebrate as we prepare to welcome students, staff, and families back to school. I am happy (and humbled) to share some of the exciting updates and initiatives that will shape our upcoming school year.
One of the most thrilling developments this year is the opening of our new Wolding Family STEAM addition. Thanks to the Tomorrow River communities’ support of our building referendum, as well as to the Wolding Family for their most generous donations, we are now equipped with state-of-the-art facilities designed to foster creativity, innovation, and hands-on learning in Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, Art, and Math. This new space will serve as a hub for interdisciplinary exploration, enabling our students to engage in collaborative projects and creative problem-solving. We can't wait to see the amazing things our students will accomplish in this dynamic learning environment.
The community and family support for the building referendum has been instrumental in making our vision for improved educational spaces a reality. We appreciate the trust and commitment you have shown to our school district. This investment in our infrastructure is not just about bricks and mortar, it’s about creating an environment where our students can thrive and become future ready. Much of this summer’s work was centered in the “middle” of our building which serves our middle school students. Renovated middle level classrooms, an updated 7-12 library with collaborative tech spaces, as well as a middle level large group instruction space for collaboration and grade level meetings are some of the highlights of the summer work. We are grateful for your partnership in this journey and look forward to showcasing the updated spaces.
In addition to our new physical spaces, we are also excited to introduce our brand new Profile of Learner. This profile outlines the five key characteristics and skills we strive to cultivate in our students: Character, Critical Thinking, Citizenship, Collaboration, and Communication. By integrating these core characteristics into our classrooms and daily interactions, we are preparing our students to excel in an ever-changing world. Our new Profile of a Learner reflects our commitment to creating well-rounded citizens who are not only academically proficient, but also equipped with the essential skills to be leaders in our community and beyond.
Understanding and engaging our Gen Z and Alpha generation learners is at the center of our return this school year. These digital natives are characterized by their technological fluency, diverse perspectives, and strong sense of social responsibility. As we start the year, we are going to focus on student engagement, building skills from our Learner Profile, and embedding digital wellness into our classrooms. Our goal is to create an engaging learning environment that inspires curiosity, builds individual skills, and challenges students to use technology for learning and bettering their lives, while finding balance in their technology uses.
As we gear up for the start of the school year, I am filled with optimism and enthusiasm. The new year promises to be one of opportunity, exploration, and growth. We are eager to welcome back our students and families, and to embark on this new chapter with renewed energy and commitment to excellence.
I invite you to stay engaged with our school community and to participate in the many exciting events and activities we have planned. As always, thank you for your continued support and dedication to our school district. I look forward to an amazing school year!