Superintendent's Corner
September 28th, 2023
Dear WSSD Community,
It happened without much of a warning, this change from warm sunny days to windy, rainy weather announcing the Fall season. As I look forward to leaves turning colors, crisp cool air welcoming students at arrival, hoodies and sweaters at football games, events and activities that celebrate the Fall season, I recognize what a fantastic month September has been. It was a busy month and I am grateful for all that you have accomplished in these first few weeks. Everyone seems to be settled in their routines, their new classrooms and to have their eyes set on the prize: providing rich and rigorous learning experiences for our students to connect with each other and the world.
At the School Board meeting on Tuesday evening, I stressed the importance of keeping our eyes on the prize and I shared a quote by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, “The size of your dreams must always exceed your current capacity to achieve them. If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough”. I see it everyday in your classrooms, in your interactions with students, in your willingness to go above and beyond, this ability and unwavering commitment to be the best you can be for our students. This is indeed our one defining characteristic, we have big dreams and aspirations for the young people we serve and we will go to great lengths to exceed even these dreams and expectations for their success and well-being. And, this is undoubtedly where I draw my inspiration and enthusiasm for the WSSD that we are building together through our strategic plan that will enable us to launch bold, innovative and long-lasting initiatives that meet the academic, socio-emotional and extracurricular needs of our students.
Only a few weeks ago, we welcomed back students and teachers. With school now in full swing, I can’t help but feel energized and inspired for this calendar school year. It is always wonderful to see high levels of attendance and engagement at our schools and District functions. As we are committed to strengthening connections, our sense of community and belonging, I look forward to the same level of energy and participation throughout the year.
Let me share with you a few highlights from the week, as well as reminders of the upcoming meetings and events.
PA Secretary of Education & WSSD
On September 22nd, I had the chance to meet with Dr. Khalid Mumin, PA Secretary of Education and we spoke about how to make PA stronger for students, educators and families.
We discussed school funding, charter school reform, teacher recruitment and retention, mental health for students and staff, redesigning our state assessments and serving underserved communities and closing the achievement and opportunity gaps. Like many districts across the commonwealth, WSSD faces systemic challenges and it is important to remind our legislators to continue to advocate on behalf of our students, staff, and community.
Dr. Khalid Mumin is a personal friend and colleague. We were classmates at Penn and we walked across the stage together on graduation day. I can attest that he is indeed a champion for children and I look forward to his leadership.
Suicide Prevention Month
Teacher In-Service Day
Strategic Plan
During the Board Meeting on September 26th, I presented the focus topic: “Strategic Focus.” I made reference to two songs by two artists that come to mind when reflecting on the journey that led to the creation of the Strategic Plan. The first is one of my favorites - Nina Simone. Though not written by Nina, her soulful blues voice solidified this song when she released it in 1965, “It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me and I’m feeling good.” Indeed, I’m feeling good about the journey, the progress and our destination towards completing the Strategic Plan. The other artist is Sam Cooke who puts to music these inspiring lyrics:”It's been a long A long time comin’, but I know A change gon' come” Oh, yes it will”. This is reminiscent of game day for me when you see the fruit of all the hard work accomplished. As a community we stand proud because of our strengths and the conviction that this district is a choice destination for families. We have quality schools that offer quality experiences to our students inside and outside the classroom. However, we must keep our eye on the prize and take head on our biggest and longest challenge, and that is to dismantle the systemic disproportionality of outcomes as it relates to particular subgroups of students. The work will be hard, the work will be tiring, the work will test our resolve, but it is work that needs to be done and we must win. There is also a need for improving and enhancing our learning spaces and grounds. Renovation needs to take place within the life-skills program, the media center/library, the school counseling suite, the modulars, the locker rooms and the natatorium, and our athletic fields. When I came to the district as the proud Superintendent of WSSD, in my entry plan, I indicated that we are going to collect data on student achievement, growth, equity, curriculum, finances, communication while seeking guidance from experts to chart a new path forward. Here we are, at the crucial stage of integrating all this information to inform our Strategic Plan that will be presented at the October 18th Educational Affairs Committee, and put to vote for adoption at the board meeting on October 23rd.
To view my presentation, click here.
To learn more about the pathways and updates on our strategic plan visit our website here!
School Board & Committee Meetings
The Regular School Board Meeting took place on Tuesday September 26th. The focus topic was Strategic Focus, the First Four days of school, and I shared information about Matthew J. Zakreski, Psy.D. who will be giving a presentation entitled “Riding Out the Storm: Managing the Emotional Needs of Gifted Students,” for the WSSD community on October 4th at 7pm at SHMS. The Facilities and Finance Committee will be having a meeting on October 4th at SHMS in B226 at 7pm. The agenda items include discussion on the BusPatrol safety program, a review of financial statements and contracts. The Facilities meeting will have discussion on project updates, the Guaranteed Energy Savings Act, and a Condition Assessment Proposal.
Meetings are live-streamed and archived on WSSD YouTube Page. For more information and a link to the meeting schedules, please click here.
Connect With WSSD
Email: helpdesk@wssd.org
Website: wssd.org
Location: 200 S Providence Rd, Wallingford, PA 19086, USA
Phone: 610-892-3470
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WallingfordSwarthmoreSchools/
Twitter: @WSSchools