Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we welcome your child(ren) into a new school year, we also welcome a new season of possibilities, challenges, and growth—for students, families, and our school community as a whole. Each year presents a unique opportunity to build not only academic skills but also character, confidence, and leadership. We are honored to partner with you in shaping not just strong students, but strong people.

This year, we encourage you to allow your child to be challenged. While every parent wants to shield their child from failure, struggle, or discomfort, these very experiences often carry the greatest lessons. Facing a difficult assignment, navigating a conflict with a classmate, or even receiving a disappointing grade can be an important stepping stone in developing responsibility, perseverance, and problem-solving skills. Letting your child experience these natural outcomes—while offering your support without always stepping in to fix things—empowers them to become capable and self-directed.

We also ask for your continued support in encouraging respect. Respect for teachers, school staff, classmates, and the learning process itself is foundational to a thriving school culture. When students learn to listen, consider others' perspectives, and manage their own emotions, they not only create a positive environment but also build life-long interpersonal skills. These qualities begin at home and are strengthened when students see their parents and school working together with shared values and mutual trust.

In the classroom and beyond, we guide students to take initiative and be responsible for their choices. This means helping them learn to plan ahead, set personal goals, and stay organized. You can support this at home by helping your child get into a consistent routine, encouraging them to plan their week, and talking with them regularly about their short- and long-term goals—not just academically, but in friendships, hobbies, and personal development. When children see that they are in charge of their own learning and progress, they begin to act with purpose and ownership.

We also encourage students to balance their priorities. School should never be about achievement at the cost of well-being. Helping your child learn how to manage their time, balance homework with rest, and make space for both effort and fun sets the tone for a healthy and sustainable approach to life. Encouraging balance at home—limiting screen time, ensuring adequate sleep, and making room for physical activity—reinforces the idea that personal success is about wholeness, not perfection.

Collaboration is another key focus of our learning environment. Children need to practice working well with others, valuing different viewpoints, and solving problems together. While we foster this in the classroom through group projects and shared responsibilities, you can nurture it at home by encouraging teamwork with siblings, participation in extracurricular activities, and helping them talk through disagreements respectfully. The ability to communicate effectively, listen, and lead with empathy will serve them in every area of life.

Equally important is the opportunity for students to discover their strengths and passions. Every child has a unique combination of interests, talents, and dreams. Our goal is to help students recognize their potential and begin to see themselves as leaders—not in a formal title or role, but in their ability to make good choices, influence others positively, and take initiative in their own lives. Leadership, after all, is not about being in charge—it’s about making a difference, starting with yourself.

None of this growth happens overnight, and that’s okay. Our goal is not perfection, but progress. We want students to see learning as a journey and to understand that mistakes, setbacks, and detours are all part of the process. We encourage a mindset of continuous improvement—reflecting on what’s working, making adjustments, and moving forward a little stronger and wiser each time.

This year, we challenge our students to be bold in their thinking, brave in the face of difficulty, and kind in their interactions. We ask you, as parents and guardians, to join us in this challenge. Support your child not by removing every obstacle or giving in to every request, but by encouraging them to rise, reflect, and take responsibility. Growth comes not from comfort, but from courage. And when we model that courage—together as a community—our children grow in ways that extend far beyond academics.

Let this school year be a time of meaningful learning, real leadership, and transformative growth. When students are allowed to struggle, encouraged to reflect, and supported in becoming their best selves, they not only meet the challenges of today—they become the leaders of tomorrow.
We are excited to see what this year will bring and are deeply grateful to be on this journey with you.

Yours in Education,

Chad Wahls, Superintendent ... See MoreSee Less

📣 Attention Parents/Guardians!
Please complete online registration for your student(s) as soon as possible! 📝

✅ Registration includes the concussion form, which is required for ALL athletes in grades 7–12.
⚠️ Several fall athletes still need this completed in order to participate in practices.

Thank you for helping us get everyone ready for a great season! ... See MoreSee Less

Clark Elementary "Meet Your Teacher Night" has been scheduled for August 21st, 5:30 - 6:30 pm. This is a great time to come in, meet the teachers and drop off school supplies. We look forward to seeing you all and to another great year!

6th Grade Orientation is also scheduled for August 21st, 5:30-6:30 pm.

Enjoy the rest of your summer break! ... See MoreSee Less