To begin this month, I’d like to first thank our school foundation members and the many benefactors that make our annual banquet successful. You should all know that the mere existence and amazing work of our school foundation is no small thing. In fact, in my experience, it is a rarity! And this year’s speaker Mr. Larry Hardesty (1965 Stapleton Alumni) said as much when he commended the community and school district for their work, while encouraging everyone to carry on. I would be remiss if I did not take the opportunity to thank one of our exceptional staff members for their past service to the foundation. So, on behalf of myself, the staff, and the school board, I’d like to thank Lacy Kinderknecht for her years of excellent service. Lacy is an ultra-talented person, whose devotion to the school and community is unquestionable. Thank you, Lacy, and thank you to her husband Cole, and sons Conner and Brody, who will certainly enjoy more time with Mom.
As most of you know we will be offering daycare beginning this fall at the school. As this is truly a work in progress, I will try to provide the best information as timely as possible, but it will require some patience and feedback from the community. Currently, we are planning to have the daycare available beginning August 8th or 11th. The anticipated cost will be $30 per day (8 hours). Priority will be given to school employees. Other interested patrons are encouraged to contact the school to discuss availability outside of the regular school day, which will be handled on a case-by-case basis, due to limited availability. Also, this month our community team will be starting our partnership with Communities For Kids (C4K), to explore long-term daycare solutions for the Stapleton and Logan County area. It is possible that our cooperation with C4K will also have a positive impact on our plan for this year, and we will keep you posted.
Looking forward to the next school year, it is worth noting that the state legislature passed and Governor Pillen signed LB140 which requires each school to adopt a policy to prohibit the use of cell phones during instructional time. Although our school has such a policy in effect, students and parents can expect that the policy will become more stringent in its requirements and enforcement in the upcoming year, due in some part to LB140, although there are a good number of research articles available that speak to the negative effects of phone usage, and the distraction it poses to the school/learning environment. Consequently, students should be prepared to leave their phones at home, in a car, or otherwise indetectable location during the school day. Students will not be permitted to keep the phones on their person (i.e. in their pockets), and they will not be able to utilize any other electronic devices that work with their cell phones (i.e. air pods, or other auditory devices). If these devices are detected they will be confiscated. Students who need to communicate with their parents or other important contacts may use the phone in the school office. Further information regarding cell phones and other rule changes will be forthcoming in the 2025-26 Student/Parent Handbook.
Lastly this month, I’d like to speak to the matter of student transfers from our school district for next year. Although each student’s transfer situation is unique and involves the school in a greater or lesser manner, they all leave me, our staff, and our school board feeling hurt and disappointed. Speaking for myself, the transfer of students out of our school (whether they are option enrollment students who chose to “opt in”, or students who reside within our district’s boundaries) leave me feeling extremely disappointed and hurt. Hurt because I get to see the relationships develop and flourish amongst the student body, teachers, and coaches as the school year unfolds, and a transfer signifies the end of a journey in which all of us struggle together to help our students unlock the potential that life has in store for them. Although it’s true that the struggle is full of highs and lows, bad times and good, it does breed a special unity for its devoted participants. The kind of commUNITY that accompanies us all during those lonely and trying times in life. To our transferring students and parents, I would like to wish you the best, and I pray for your future success, while giving thanks for the opportunity to be a part of your journey. To our staff, I urge you to double down on your commitment to provide the best opportunities we can for our students. The fact is we are all here at this time together for one of the most sacred responsibilities/callings a person can have in their professional lives, which is a special chance to nurture and help prepare the next generation. So, take heart, and rally around the goodness in our undertakings for the betterment of all.