No Energy shortage in FSD.

Our first day of classes on Tuesday went well!

The smiles of our students and staff generated an electricity in the air you could feel.

Their day-long flow of positive sparks definitely got our new school year charging in the right direction.

I’m grateful to everyone on our FSD team and in our community who worked hard to ensure this would be the case. 

Thank you!

New EFR Principal Christine Fry emailed me this unique first day greeting.

I’m glad Christine wrote this up. You might get a chuckle from it, too.

A seventh-grade student said, “So, you’re the new principal now, huh?”

I said, “Yes, I am.”

He replied, “Congratulations! Does this mean you are never leaving middle school?”

I’ll try to find out and see how Mrs. Fry answered this question. (Could be interesting!)

And as I indicated, there was the wonderful buzz in our schools caused by young friends getting together again. 

Because List Elementary Principal Jason Vislosky joined FSD late last fall, Tuesday was also his first “Back to School” experience with us.

He sent me this report to share.

The first day of school went great!

Many families were smiling ear to ear, taking pictures in front of our special List Elementary First Day signs posted around the front of the school.

I enjoyed talking with families and students and hearing about the exciting things they did throughout the summer.

I am also happy to report that my two Eagles had an incredible first day in their new school!
 
While Principals Fry and Vislosky experienced their first opening day in their schools, this wasn’t the case with longtime FHS Principal JoLynn Clark.
 
She had a bit of historical perspective to share.
 
The first day at FHS was the smoothest first day we’ve had in a number of years.
 
We were reminiscing in 2018-19 we had a local water main break and had to cart in bottles of water to get through the day.
 
Then 2019-20 was normal-ish to start, but we all know how that year ended abruptly.
 
2020-21 and 2021-22 began with considerable uncertainty and lots of questions, so while Tuesday was busy, it was “normal busy” and it felt so good!
 
On Tuesday, FHS welcomed back 531 students!

We had over 150 high school students who started partner programs and dual enrollment courses ahead of our district start date, so it was great to get the school year underway for all of us. 
 
The senior class organized “Senior Sunrise” – which was held in the horseshoe at 6:30 am – to celebrate their first last day of high school.

This set a great tone for us to eagerly welcome all of our Eagles – new and returning FHS students and staff – back for the start of the 2022-23 school year.

All in all, I couldn’t be more pleased with our first day of school.

As far as I know, I was the only one who had to put on a “stern teacher face”; for a few seconds on Tuesday.

It happened when List custodian Fran Bauman surprised me with photo of me attached to a colorful superman poster.

I’ve got to give Fran credit; she got me.

I appreciated her SUPER surprise, even if it got me thinking how nice it would be to have a couple of Superman’s superpowers every now and then.

Fran did this as her way to support and motivate me through the year – helping me know “you got this!”

Fortunately –

FSD has something much better.

When we combine the energy and superpowers of our students, staff, parents, and YOU –

We already have everything we need to make this a fantastic school year!