As I reflect on my first two months as superintendent, I am grateful and excited to be in Suffield. The summer has been a whirlwind of meeting great people, learning about our schools and the town, and planning for the year ahead. I am thankful for the warm welcome I received and appreciate the opportunity to join this special community.
I look forward to partnering with students, families, staff, and community members to build upon the strong foundation that has been established in our school system. Together we will continually ensure that we provide a high-quality education that meets the needs of each student in a safe and supportive environment.
Two-Way Communication
Critical to that partnership is open and timely communication. We strive to provide updates and information that are helpful to families and community members in supporting our children and schools. As educators, we value your feedback and insight as to how we can improve the experiences of our students and families. We want to work collaboratively to address challenges and celebrate successes. Toward that end, please do not hesitate to reach out to me to share good news, questions, or concerns at superintendent@suffield.org.
24-25 Initiatives
We are working on a number of initiatives this year. A few key examples include:
• Facilities Review.
Working with the Permanent Building Commission to validate the work of the town-wide facilities study. A deeper understanding of our school buildings and instructional needs will help inform options for a middle school building project.
• Elementary Achievement.
Implementing new elementary reading and math programs to strengthen teaching and learning. This will be a multi-year process.
• New Secondary Programs.
Adding new middle and high school programs such as math intervention programs, Career Technical and Engineering (CTE) programs and the Home Builders Institute.
• Student Activities.
Increasing student activities in all schools. This year, both elementary schools will offer additional after-school opportunities that capture student interest and curiosity.
All summer long I’ve heard one common refrain from Suffield citizens as I’ve taken in a summer concert, met with town officials, visited coffee shops and restaurants, and had a flat tire fixed: “You’ve come to a great place with wonderful people.” I couldn’t agree more!
I look forward to the work ahead.