Superintendent's Corner

WOW - what an amazing and busy last 13 days!

Induction began on Monday, August, 5th for all new professional staff.  It was a great four day session led by a variety of members from our Administrative Team.  I would like to thank Dr. Martino and Dr. Miller for their dedication to this process and really taking an innovative and differentiated approach to onboard and prepare our new staff for the 2024-2025 school year.  

As we officially kicked off the new year, we began with our celebration and district opening this past Tuesday.  Our opening presentation featured the work of our Instructional Innovators, our model for continuous improvement for the district and an uplifting presentation by Dr. Tyler Cook that really resonated with our staff.  

We also introduced our new concept of READY which has been collaboratively developed with staff and administration. This concept moves us to a place and space of preparation so that no matter where students are in the K-12 continuum they are prepared and ready for what comes next!  The morning was jam-packed with positivity, collaboration and new learning for our entire teaching staff!  Although I’m not sure the Bean Boozled Jelly Bean challenge or Hot Takes with Dan and Rob will return for next year, we will have to wait and see!  It was great to see the enthusiasm and excitement for the new year.  WE ARE READY!

The past TWO days have included our summer administrative planning to launch all of our new strategic objectives.  This incorporated our work from our summer retreat as well as defining what success looks like personally and what success looks like for the Red Lion Area School District.  We also talked about what the evidence and artifacts will look like to measure our success.  As we move forward with our instructional innovators, buildings began critical work regarding how all classrooms will develop and implement Standard Operating procedures, Classroom Codes and Visions.

As part of our PBIS and Pride reboot all teachers K-12 were introduced and trained with new information and learning as to how we can continue to improve our culture and climate.  We also began our professional development and training to implement our new mathematics program Into Math and our new K-12 STEELS science curriculum under the leadership of Mrs. Lankford, Mrs. Smith and Dr. Miller.  Also, thank you to Dr. Miller and Dr. Smith for spending a huge amount of time revising and developing our K-12 digital ecosystem and curriculum hub so that all teachers have an easy one stop shop for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment.  

Dr. Martino and I have also made stops at various sports camps and we look to continue those opportunities to visit with our teams and the marching band in the coming weeks as their seasons get started.  We wish them all a safe and successful season.  

And finally as we approach Monday we wish all the students, staff and family a safe, productive school year.  I want to personally thank all of our administration and faculty for the hard work they have put in to be ready for this year and taking on the ambitious objectives we have begun to implement.  I would also like to thank the board for your support and commitment to the vision and journey we seek to achieve as a tema here in Red Lion.  We could not do this work without your partnership and endorsement.  We are excited to implement our new programming and curriculum as we begin the 2024 school year.  We are READY!