It’s hard to believe we’re already a couple of days into another school year! The halls are busy, classrooms are full, and it’s great to have our students and staff back in the buildings.
There’s something special about those first few days of school. There are plenty of smiles, a few nervous moments, some forgotten supplies, and probably a handful of students who are already wondering how it can possibly be time to get up and go to school again! But those are the things that make the start of a new year so special.
I want to say a big thank you to our staff. A tremendous amount of work goes into getting ready for a new school year, and it doesn’t stop once the first bell rings. The patience, flexibility, and energy our staff have shown these first few days are appreciated. The same goes for our families as everyone settles back into school routines.
We know there are always a few adjustments that come with the start of a new year. Our new personal electronic device expectations, incorporation of Google applications, and the transition to iPads for students in grades 7-12 are just a few examples. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through the details and get into a good routine. If you have questions about these or any other changes, please reach out to your child’s school.
The school year is not the only thing that got underway this week. After years of planning and preparation, I am excited to announce that Little Railers Daycare is up and running! Our director, Kaylee Walt, has done a tremendous job putting the finishing touches on the building, policies, and everything else needed to get us across the finish line. Her hard work made the final inspections go smoothly, and we’re excited to have this new resource officially open for families in our community. An Open House will be scheduled in the near future to celebrate this exciting milestone for our district and community.
As we move into the new school year, the district is also taking a careful and fiscally responsible approach to our budget. Like many districts, we are facing higher operating costs while working with limited resources. Our goal is to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars, make thoughtful decisions about where our resources are needed most, and maintain the quality of education and opportunities we provide our students. We may not be able to control every factor that impacts our budget, but we can control how responsibly we manage the resources we have.
Most importantly, though, it’s just good to have kids back in school.
As we settle into the routine, I hope we can all take a moment to appreciate what happens in our schools every day. Teachers teaching, kids learning, friends reconnecting, and adults working together to give our students the best experience possible.
I truly believe there’s something pretty special about being part of a small-town school district. The connections between our schools, families, and community are hard to replicate, and I’m grateful to be a part of it.
Thanks for helping us get the year off to a great start. I’m looking forward to everything that’s ahead!
Todd Flinn
Superintendent
USD 388 - Ellis