South Hill Elementary

Thank you for being here.

As we begin this academic school year, I am filled with a sense of joy, focus, and optimism. Even in the midst of many challenges, we are on a journey that is driven by the same unwavering promise we have always made—to engage, educate, and empower all learners in the ICSD to achieve academic excellence. Alongside this promise, we continue to cultivate an anti-racist organization that centers love and joy.

The fiscal, environmental, cultural, and other challenges that continue to weigh on our hearts and minds require us to prioritize and be even more thoughtful about our approaches to teaching and learning. Additionally, we must work together to build systems and structures that sustain our school district now and into the future. We recognize that the development and implementation of such structures and systems will require close collaboration with our community, our caregivers, and, most importantly, our students. When we do this well, we will become more connected and resilient.

As we welcome one another back and thank everyone for being here, let’s commit to engaging in constructive dialogue as we solve complex problems and innovate. Please connect with me with any questions or suggestions you may have. I plan to do the same with you. I find joy learning and grappling with tough issues, and I was pushed in many ways by students last year as part of the Sitting Down with Dr. Brown: Students as Partners and Leaders series. The brilliance and insight our young people bring into learning spaces each day were on full display. I was inspired and learned much.

Thank you for your passion, dedication, and commitment. Let’s embrace this year with enthusiasm and a shared purpose.