Friday, August 19, 2016

Back to School

August is a unique time of year.  On one had the "summer" is winding down and with that there is always some sadness.  However, on the other hand there are still some fun family time and vacations planned. Lastly, it is filled with the excitement of school clothes shopping, seeing friends and classmates, and of course all of the outstanding learning opportunities that come with a new school year.  For educators, it is the opportunity to get back to doing what we love and that is working with and educating our children. Although for many, students and staff alike, the alarm clock starts going off at what seems like a impossibly early time, this is one of the best times of the year.  As with any school year we assuredly will experience many high and lows, conflicts, and struggles, however, as long as we face them with an open-mind, respect for all involved, and as a team there is nothing that we will not overcome.   WE ARE VESTABURG!

This year we have many new staff members that are joining us including Mr. Tyler Nadeau, Middle School; Jennifer Mikek, Second Grade; Melanie Dunn, Kindergarten; Megan Brown, Kindergarten; Alaina Morneau, Middle School; Annette Mills, Middle School; Shelley Hall, Transportation, Laura Kimball, Food Service; Ally VanConant, Michigan College Access Network Advisor.  We are very excited about all of these individuals joining our staff and I hope that you will welcome them into the Vestaburg Family and show them how great it is to be a Wolverine!

As some of you may have already heard, we are very fortunate this year to be able to add a third kindergarten class.  In time of tough budgets and finances it is not always as easy of a decision as it would seem.  However, once again our Board of Education demonstrated its commitment to our students by supporting this addition.  In addition, through the commitment and support of the Board of Education we have been able to offer at least two sections at every grade level. This will allow us to keep our student to teacher ratio at a very low, manageable numbers which we all know has a positive impact on student learning.  In addition,  this year we have made some administrative changes and restructuring of duties.  Mrs. Weaver will now be the k-12 Principal and we have created a lead teacher system to help create a more efficient administrative team.  Thus, I will now be able to focus on the Superintendent duties and long term planning for our district.  As a school board, the focus is on creating long-term goals for the district that include creating a 3-5 year strategic plan that prioritizes the needs of our students.

Furthermore, it is a goal of all levels of our school district to invite and participate in meaningful two way collaboration and communications with all of our stakeholders including, students, parents, staff, and community members and organizations.  Some of you many have heard me say our school is our community and our community is our school.  I truly believe that we need to be a strong team and to support each other in order for both the community and the school to grow and thrive.  Neither one can maximize its potential without the other.  Thus, we will continue to seek input from all and to look for ways to increase opportunities for input and collaboration.

So, here is to a great school year!  I look forward to working with everyone and to watching our school continue to grow.  WE ARE VESTABURG!

Brandon Hubbard
Superintendent



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