Dear, JSD Students, Parents, and Community,
We are all incredibly excited to welcome you back to the 2024-2025 school year, and hope that you have had a relaxing and fun summer! This year promises to be one of continued growth, innovation, and collaboration. Our dedicated Educators and Board Members have been working tirelessly over the summer to prepare engaging and enriching experiences for our students. During the summer, District employees have been preparing for the students’ return and we couldn’t be more thrilled to share in the joys of learning, adventure, and growth that we all will be taking part in together for the year ahead.
The building is primed and ready, and is in incredible shape thanks to the tireless efforts of our maintenance and custodial crew! What an incredible job they have done! Thank you! The central office staff (fiscal offices, administrative offices, tech office, and the front office) have also been keeping the district moving forward throughout the summer working on a number of projects that continue to help move the District towards higher efficiency and overall strength as a District. Thank you for your work and dedication! Also, a big thank you to our summer learning staff who devoted portions of their summer to provide fun and engaging learning experiences through our sports and arts programs, as well as our summer library program, and our childhood literacy program at the elementary level. For two different weeks throughout summer students were fully engaged in summer camps themed off of the Ocean and Forestry, culminating with field trips to the Aquarium in Seaside, and the Tillamook Forestry Center in Tillamook. Lots of fun was had, and we thank all of the parent and community volunteers that took part in helping out at these events. The District could not run without the incredible work and devotion all of you put into providing experiences for our students that in return will provide for a lifetime of continued learning. As I move into my third year as the District’s Superintendent, and looking ahead, I will continue to stay committed to listening, learning, and building relationships with all stakeholders in this wonderful community and beyond. Your voice matters. Together, anything is possible.
The school year ahead will see a new, and rigorous focus on data, and learning more about our programs, school climate/culture, academics, student & community supports, and more. A new research-based school wide assessment program, titled STAR, is being implemented and will help educators identify and prioritize student needs, as well as help to drive appropriate instruction for each and every student. Furthermore, the data will help guide teachings that assist in setting realistic goals, and to track progress throughout the entire academic year, helping our district to ensure that all of our students are on the right path toward future success. Attendance is also a large focus for the upcoming year, as studies show just how important showing up is for growth and learning…at any age. I personally believe that consistent attendance is the foundation of a child’s education, as it fosters learning, growth, trust, and provides strong partnerships between home and school, helping to pave the way for lifelong success.
In closing, it is with great enthusiasm and excitement that I welcome you and your children back to an amazing new school year. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead filled with discovery, achievement, and growth! Welcome back to school, and let’s make this year the best one yet!
Warm regards,
Cory Pederson
Jewell School District Superintendent
