New Beginnings

“The beginning is the most important part of the work.” 
Plato

It’s the night before the first day of school. Nervous anticipation and excitement sets in. Thoughts of “This will be the year I….” run through my head. Are all of my supplies and materials ready? What will the year hold for me? Will I grow?

These aren’t the thoughts of an elementary student- they are mine! I feel this way each and every year, and I would venture to guess that our teachers, principals, and support staff feel this same sense of anticipation.

Each year is a fresh start; an opportunity to do more, better. As educators, we are uniquely situated in that each fall brings this chance. It is my commitment to look at each year as an opportunity to do more, better for the students in our care.

Our theme last year was “Raising the BAR,” with a focus on providing students with Bell-to-Bell Instruction, with Alignment to Standards, and an overriding belief that Relationships Matter.

This year we are continuing this theme, with a laser focus on Relationships Matter.  If “The beginning is the most important part of the work,” we have demonstrated this through professional development for our school leaders and staff to set the stage for a successful 2019-20 school year with relationships at the center of our work.

Our mission as a district, developed five years ago, is “To ensure all students are career ready and college prepared by designing and providing excellent and engaging learning opportunities.” This mission is still reflective of the commitment of our school community.

This fall, we will begin development of our five year strategic plan- Blueprint 2025. We will tackle this plan as a larger school community, revisiting our mission, vision, and strategic plan goals. This “beginning” will influence our direction for the next five years. We look forward to your input!

I am excited for what the new year will bring for the students of Franklin County Schools. Thanks for being a part of our school community!

Sincerely,

Dr. Rhonda Schuhler,
Superintendent