It is great to have the students back in the building again! This is always an interesting time of year, because even though it is the start of the school year, mother nature is sending us signals that we are also going to have cooler weather ahead and summer is starting to show up in the rearview mirror. The crops are turning color and getting ready for harvest and the beautiful fall colors are starting to show up all around us. The beginning of the school year and the end of summer are an amazing time of the year. It is a time to get back to routines and structure for our students. I am grateful for the return of the school year and the opportunities that await our students. After the experiences with COVID, I will never take this special time of year for granted. I know the positive impact that school has on our students and the important role that it plays in their lives.
To start off the school year with our staff we really focused on the importance of relationships and the positive impact that they can have on learning. There is an old saying that says…”I don’t care how much you know until I know how much you care.” I know from my own experiences in life that it is much easier to listen and learn from someone that you know cares about you as a person. I am extremely proud of the staff we have here at Triton, as I feel that this is a concept that they truly understand. Having professional development on the topic was more of a way to reinforce the great work that our staff does, than trying to help them learn about it. The skills that were provided in the training will be a great help to continue this important work.
The first week of school was a bit different this year, but I feel like it was a great success. Our 6th grade WEB Experience and 9th grade Link Crew Experience were the focus of the first day for students. These programs are a big part of helping students transition to a new building and acclimate with older students acting as leaders for their groups. The next day we had all of our 6-12 students in the building and then on the third day our elementary students begin. The first two days serve as interview days for our elementary students and allows them to meet with their teacher before their classes start. All of these programs help students to know the staff and the resources that are available to support them. All of these programs are instrumental in helping our students be successful. I am thankful that we have been able to develop and improve these programs throughout the years.
I really believe that genuine care and connection are fundamental to effective teaching and learning. The programs that we have at Triton are designed to emphasize this important component. Our staff continues to build an atmosphere that fosters a nurturing and inclusive community. I know that our great schools are on the right path to provide an education experience that truly transforms the lives of our students. I am looking forward to a great year at Triton and grateful to have such an amazing group of staff that are here to serve our students.
Please reach out to me with any questions that you may have regarding our school district. You can email me at schlich@triton.k12.mn.us or you can call me at 507-418-7530 to reach me at the district office. I would be happy to set up a time to meet with you or your organization. I believe that communication is an important aspect of my job responsibility, and I welcome the opportunity to learn from your perspective. GO COBRAS!
#WeAreTriton
