Welcome Back to School Message from Dr. Stephenson
Dear Students, Families, and Community Members,
As we close in on the end of the first week of the 2024-2025 school year, I want to extend a warm welcome back to each and every one of you. Whether you are returning to our schools or joining us for the first time, we are thrilled to have you as part of the Lawson school community.
The start of a new school year is magical, bringing new beginnings and possibilities. As you have entered any of our facilities for back-to-school activities and events over the past two weeks, I am sure you have noticed significant improvements made over the summer. All of the improvements were made possible by our community's unwavering support in passing our April 2024 Not Tax Increase Bond. Beyond the facility improvements, our teachers and staff have been hard at work over the summer, preparing to make this year both challenging and rewarding for our students. Make no mistake: we are committed to a learning environment where every student can thrive and reach their full potential. This commitment feeds our vision: "Proud Traditions…Endless Possibilities," beyond our vision, we seek a mission of "Preparing students for lifelong learning, achievement, and citizenship."
This year, we are particularly excited about the expansion of programming in our high school and middle school to include Agricultural Education and FFA, as well as the expansion of our early childhood learning opportunity to include full-day tuition-free preschool for in-district students ages 3 and 4. We believe both new and exciting opportunities will further enrich the educational experience for our students. While we look forward to these new opportunities, we remain focused on fostering academic excellence, recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers and staff, promoting and maintaining a positive culture and climate, and nurturing the social and emotional needs of everyone within our schools.
To our students, I encourage you to approach this school year with an eagerness to learn and a willingness to embrace new challenges. Do not let the fear of what could happen prevent you from trying something new.
To our families, your partnership is invaluable. We look forward to working together to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed. Whether attending school events, volunteering, or supporting your child's learning at home, your involvement makes a tremendous difference.
To our community members, thank you for your continued support of our schools. Your commitment to education strengthens our entire community and helps build a brighter future for all.
As we begin this new academic year, let's do so with optimism, resilience, and a shared commitment to excellence. I am confident together, we can make this year one of growth, achievement, and success.
Welcome back, and here's to a fantastic school year ahead!
Warm regards,
Dr. Michael Stephenson
Superintendent of Schools
Lawson R-XIV School District