Don’t let this get lost in the shuffle.

It’s true.

Embarking on a new Strategic Plan for our district is serious business.

It was about nine years ago Superintendent Mary Anne Ackerman, the Board, staff, parents, and community crafted the plan that has served FSD and our community so well.

Between 2016 and 2021, this plan was implemented with excellence and an eagle’s heart by Superintendent Adele Martin and the entire school family.

Today ­in 2022 – especially in the aftermath of COVID – it’s time for us to update and affirm the future direction for FSD by developing a new Strategic Plan.

We’re now in the first stage and I’m grateful nearly 400 people like yourself were so helpful in responding to our initial perception survey of district strengths, challenges, and opportunities.  

So, it’s true.

Developing FSD’s new Strategic Plan together is serious business.

But in the face of this fact, let’s not allow something important to get lost in the sharing of our ideas, suggestions, values, and priorities.

Let’s not let the Joy of Learning get lost in the shuffle.

Inspiring and nurturing the Joy of Learning must be foundational everything we do as parents, educators, and community members.

I was especially reminded of this when our 8^th graders leave (after a two-year hiatus!) for their class trip to Washington DC.

Ninety-one 8^th grade students and chaperones left Tuesday evening to visit our nation’s capital.

They will spend three and a half days visiting memorials and museums in Washington DC.

After a long overnight bus ride, the group arrived at Mount Vernon Wednesday morning.

They ate breakfast at a gorgeous setting on-site and spent the morning site seeing at Mount Vernon, visiting Washington’s tomb, and learning about our country’s first president. 

Due to COVID, the last DC trip took place in October 2019.

We are thrilled to provide our students with this exceptional educational opportunity once again.

EFR Principal Kristen Hecht notes this trip would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of social studies teacher Mr. Zachary Reimus.

Thank you, Mr. Reimus, and other EFR staff, Mrs. Kaysey Radtke and Mrs. Glenda Berg, for chaperoning on the trip along with numerous eighth-grade parents.

There’s no doubt about it.

Along with dreaming big and receiving steady encouragement, being a lifelong learner is the key to future success.

And I hope this observation from more than 40 years ago will be one of the pillars anchoring the planning work we will do together.  

 “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”
– Alvin Toffler

And now it’s your turn.

What’s the Joy of Learning mean to you?

I’d love to know!

Please take our 3-minute fun and confidential survey.

I look forward to receiving your opinion!