Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year!

Dear Elementary Colleagues,

Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year.  I hope that your summer vacation was relaxing and rejuvenating.

Our summer vacation (pictures attached) was filled with a variety of enriching experiences: a week in Turkey which included my graduation ceremony, a week-long family reunion on Flathead Lake (Montana), a 12th annual camping trip with four families, and time with family and friends at Riverwood (our wilderness home in the Cascade Mountains of Washington).  I summarize our summer as ‘perfect’ and I felt a great sense of gratitude for all the good we have in our lives.

During the summer, SSIS has been preparing for the 2015-2016 school year.  Facilities improvements include a new outdoor garden area, planter beds for student gardening, an exciting Maker Space, a redecorated elementary entrance, and a totally remodeled auditorium.

But while our physical learning space is important, there are deeper, less visible, improvements that I find even more exciting: a strategic plan that emphases the development of a curriculum framework, integrated super-units, a new elementary drama program, an increased focus on our five core values: Academic Excellence, Balance in Life, Dedicated Service, Sense of Self, and Respect for All, and more.

New staff have arrived and have been actively involved in the SSIS new teacher on-boarding and orientation process. They have been settling into their homes, learning their way around the neighborhood, collecting their classroom keys, and learning about technology, curriculum and other aspects of SSIS.

Attached to this letter is a list of some important dates to keep in mind.  Tuesday, August 4, is our first day for all new and returning staff. I am sure you will enjoy meeting your new colleagues as we come together and begin preparing for a great school year.  Until then, please enjoy your final days of summer; I look forward to hearing of your adventures.

Warmly,

Dan Keller, PhD

Elementary School Principal