A message from Superintendent Jeff Stephens:

Some parents shared with me a note they discovered from their 7-year-old son who was obviously doing some personal goal-setting prior to the start of school. This little boy had carefully written the following:

• Goof ball switch – off!
• Be nice to new friends.
• Don't cry (unless you're hurt).
• Be super awesome.
• Have fun!

Now that's a bold set of goals! Back to school is a phrase that suggests shopping for clothes, buying supplies and making new friends. For many, the anticipation of attending a new school, meeting your teacher for the first time or taking a new class can generate not only excitement, but apprehension as well. Certainly, going back to school is reason for celebration because with it comes an opportunity to learn and grow.

One of my favorite Weber District 'beginning of school' traditions is visiting each elementary classroom with members of the district leadership team and reading to children, as well as distributing Superintendent's Summer Reading Awards to those students who have read 10 books or 1,000 pages during the summer. Typically, we give out about 5,000 awards each fall. The book that I'll read in classrooms this fall is What Do You Do With A Chance? By Kobi Yamada. This is the story of some remarkable chances and a child who doesn't know quite what to do with them. However, the more chances come around the more the child's fascination grows. And then, one day, a little courage makes all the difference!

I love the question posed in the title of the book—What do you do with a chance?  As we begin a new school year there are so many chances and opportunities that are within our grasp. For students, the chance to learn, to make new friends and to achieve personal goals. Parents can volunteer their time, participate on a community council and support their child's learning at home. Principals can connect to students, support teachers and school staff and advocate for their schools. For teachers, the opportunity to influence a child, to teach an important life lesson or to acquire a new teaching skill. As we start this new school year, each of us has extraordinary opportunities in front of us—chances to make a difference. The question is, 'What will we do with a chance?'

A message from Superintendent Jeff Stephens:

Teacher and Student Success

The 2019 Utah Legislature passed Senate Bill 149, which created the Teacher and Student Success Program. Sponsored by Senator Ann Millner, the bill provides funds for local schools to support student performance and academic achievement. Money from a school's Teacher and Student Success Program can also be used for teacher professional development, school personnel stipends for taking on additional responsibility outside of a typical work assignment, or hiring of additional school employees, including counselors, social workers, mental health workers, tutors, media specialists, information technology specialists or behavior aides. Schools might opt to add technology or create before- and after-school programs (including summer school programs) that can increase student performance. Certainly, the money could be used for class size reduction efforts or the augmentation of existing programs. Funds cannot be used for district administration costs or capital expenditures.

While we don't yet have the exact figures for each school, it is anticipated that each school will receive approximately $100.00 per student. This is ongoing money, so the expectation is that schools will receive at least that amount every year. These funds, coupled with the annual trust lands money that flows to schools each year, make it possible to provide even greater levels of support to teachers and students—a truly remarkable thing! Principals will be asked to seek input from the school community council, teachers, parents and others in developing their school's Teacher and Student Success Plan. These plans will then be submitted to the local board of education for approval. As long as the school plan is aligned to the district TSSA framework, they will be approved by our local board.

This infusion of funding brings with it many exciting opportunities that will enable us to better support teachers and better serve students. We are most appreciative of Senator Millner's work and the entire Utah Legislature for their support of public education. I'm extremely optimistic thinking about what each school can accomplish with this new money. Although some questions remain during this first year of implementation, I have directed our principals to assertively move forward developing their Teacher and Student Success Plan. I encourage you to engage with your local principal in providing input for that plan.

A message from Assistant Superintendent Lori Rasmussen:

There is a story of the daffodil principle. It is a story of one woman planting over five acres of daffodils. She began this adventure in 1958; she planted over 50,000 bulbs one at a time--with her own two hands. The result was a delightful field on a distant mountain top. The impact one person made was astounding. It looked as if a talented artist had taken her brush to the earth. What a difference she made to the landscape. People would come from miles around to visit this amazing sight!

We have heard many quotes about making a difference. One favorite is by Robert F. Kennedy,

"Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope. . ."
― Robert F. Kennedy

As I visit schools, this is exactly what I see in our classrooms. A combination of the daffodil principle and numberless acts of courage. I see teachers, administrators, volunteers,and staff members working with our students one by one building their learning capacity and developing the best in our children. Making a difference over the course of their educational careers. Impacting "acres" of students, forever changing their lives, sending forth a tiny ripple of hope.

I recently spoke with a teacher and she shared her journey of this school year. She spoke about the progress made, the growth of her students and herself. It was a beautiful thing to see. We are fortunate to have such wonderful teachers, administrators, staff and parents in our district working to make a difference. Let's celebrate the beauty around us! There is no better day than today to start something beautiful in our lives. Let's take the first step toward a goal, celebrate the beauty that exists around us, and start a ripple of hope!

A message from Assistant Superintendent Kevin Sederholm:

I've had the opportunity to write a few of these superintendency messages now. I would like to take this last one to tell those that work in the Weber School District, thank you! I would also like to thank the many students and parents that have crossed my path and enriched my life. For 31 years I have marveled at the employees we have in this district from the teachers, administrators, parents, students and all classified staff. I've been fortunate to work with a wonderful school board made up of exceptional individuals who exhibit great care and love toward the children they serve. This has been another family for a long time.

Now that I'm at this point, there are many wonderful memories I've had such as teaching elementary students to read and write to playing basketball and 4 square with them out on the playground. To the many students that gave me a high five in the hall. To the many office staffs I have worked with that have become lifelong friends. I will always remember the big impact that a teacher will have on a student's life even after their schooling is over. I have been the beneficiary of some of those great teachers that worked in our district and so have my children. I will remember the many friendly bus drivers that greeted me each morning and always took such good care of their precious cargo. I will always remember coaches that taught not only the X's and O's but many life lessons as well.

I've had the opportunity to work with so many good parents that always provided the support that so many of our students needed as well as the countless hours that were volunteered on the school's behalf. I look back with fondness on the many positive notes and thoughts that were sent on my behalf as well as the many conversations where I received necessary feedback.

I've been asked, what is the most important thing I will take away from my career? That answer is easy, it's the relationships. So many people that have touched my life in a positive way. I've learned that public education isn't perfect and it takes a continuous effort on everyone's part to make it work. As the saying goes, "it takes a village to raise a child". I feel I've been a part of a pretty good village.

Thank You Weber School District!

Sincerely,

Kevin Sederholm
Assistant Superintendent

A message from Superintendent Jeff Stephens:

"For Good"

While visiting Bonneville High School this past December, I happened to walk by the choir room. The sound coming from Mishy Kirby's Tapestry class was simply too inviting to pass up. I listened to remarkable young people rehearsing several songs for their upcoming holiday performances. The students even let me select a number and they performed it for me. Following that song, I stood beside this extraordinary teacher who has impacted so many students through the years and asked the class, "Do you know how lucky you are to be able to have this incredible woman as your teacher?" Their response was one of heart-felt warmth and gratitude. Then I said, "I am going to ask you to get together as a class for just a minute and select one song that you would like to sing that expresses just how you feel about her."

They quickly gathered into what looked like a friendly rugby scrum and within a matter of moments quickly dispersed to retrieve the sheet music in the back of the room. The song they selected—"For Good" from the hit Broadway musical Wicked. What followed is a moment I will forever cherish as these students, who deeply loved and admired their teacher, sang from the bottom of their hearts:

I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason;

Bringing something we must learn…. who help us most to grow if we let them,

And we help them in return.

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true,

But I know I'm who I am today because I knew you!

It was a memorable experience I shall never forget! And, for me it represented everything that's good about the relationship between a teacher and students. Students develop a trust, a respect and an appreciation for what a caring teacher does for them. Lives are changed for the better because kids know you!

I recognize that every adult who works in Weber School District has that same potential impact "for good" on students. While we may not have the opportunity to have our students sing to us expressing how they feel, I know that their gratitude is every bit as real. I appreciate each one of you for changing lives "for the better."