Dear LMSD Families,

As we prepare to welcome our students back to school, I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation for your continued support and partnership with our District. Every day, I am honored to be part of a community that values the education and well-being of our children, and I believe that now, more than ever, our collective efforts are crucial. In a world that feels increasingly polarized, our schools must serve as models of hope, unity and possibility. Together, we will achieve this by:

Building a Sense of Belonging: One of our primary responsibilities is to ensure that every child who enters our schools feels a profound sense of belonging. When we create learning environments where all students feel seen, heard and valued, they are more likely to engage, learn, and grow academically, socially, and emotionally. This year, we are recommitting to ensuring that every student – regardless of their background, beliefs or identity – feels they are an integral part of our community. This commitment is rooted not in personal viewpoints but in our District’s stated values as outlined in our mission statement, strategic plan and policies. In our District, we believe in equity, belonging and inclusion for all.

Prioritizing Wellness: As we navigate the complexities of the world around us, we must prioritize the physical, mental and emotional health of our students, as these are critical to their academic success. This includes continuing our efforts to implement practices that promote wellness, such as adjusting start times to support healthy sleep habits and enforcing “Off and Away” rules for cell phones during school hours to reduce distractions and encourage face-to-face interactions. I hope you will join us in reminding students that devices are not to be used during class time and reinforce this important message by not texting or calling students when they’re in class.

Preparing for Full Day Kindergarten:  We know that preparation is one of the best ways to ensure our children can face new challenges and opportunities with confidence. The same holds true for preparing our schools for the year ahead. Our curriculum team and kindergarten teachers have worked for months to ensure that students’ days in “Full-day K” will be fun and enriching, as they acquire important foundational skills for lifelong learning. Our transportation team has worked tirelessly on routing, scheduling and hiring to enable students to get where they need to go as safely and efficiently as possible. We expect the first days of school for our new learners to be safe and productive.

Navigating a Politicized Time: With the upcoming election, we are living in a time of heightened political divisiveness. As a District, our focus remains on what is best for our students. Our schools must be characterized by respect, empathy and kindness. Our role is to empower students to think critically, engage with diverse perspectives and to help them develop the skills they need to navigate an increasingly complex world.

Moving Forward Together: Our District is fortunate to be well-resourced and supported by engaged families like yours. While this is a privilege, our approach to supporting students should be seen as a model of what every child deserves. This year, we will take stock of our initiatives to understand what’s working, what needs improvement and what’s next. Importantly, we will also take time to celebrate our successes as they manifest in the achievements of our students.

Expressing Gratitude: Research shows that gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. AND it’s also quite simple to practice. For example, I want to extend a special thank you to my colleagues who worked throughout the summer to support student learning and exploration. Our secondary summer school, SPIES, ESY and various enrichment programs provided opportunities to upwards of 1,000 children in our community. This incredible effort included our teachers, aides, student services, nutritional services and transportation staff. Additionally, our technology, custodial, maintenance and grounds teams worked tirelessly throughout the summer to ensure that our buildings, facilities and resources are ready for our returning students and staff. Finally, I would like to recognize our leadership team, which has been a tremendous source of support during this time of transition.

As we embark on this new school year, I invite you to join us in embracing these ideas and shared values. Let’s work together to ensure that our schools remain places where every student can learn, grow, and dream. I am confident that, together, we will continue to make a positive impact on our students, our community, and our world.

Sincerely,

Megan E. Shafer
Acting Superintendent