And here we have it, folks.  This is the final newsletter for the 2018-2019 school year!  As I look back on the year I am reminded of the herculean efforts that you, as families, make day in and day out to support your students, to support our school and to support the greater community of Juneau.  I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work with such talented students here at JDHS. Next year I will welcome my oldest daughter as a Crimson Bear, which will give me a new insight into what we do here and how we can improve.

It is my hope that as you look back on this academic year, you will find examples of a personalized and supportive environment.  One of the core values for JDHS, and one that I am passionate about, is creating a welcoming environment where students feel valued.  That does not mean that we will not have bad days, or that we like everybody all of the time, but that we feel connected to at least one adult in a way that we would trust them to be our advocate, or to have our back.  Schools, by design, were created to mimic factory models, where an assembly line moved items along, in hopes of attaining a general standard of quality. My vision for our school is that no student, or family, feels as though they are simply being moved along.  Rather, that they were able to choose a path that met them where they were at, and that moved them forward in their pursuits. None of our work should be done in isolation, or without feedback. While we are closing the classroom doors for a few short months my email is always “on”, and I encourage you to share your thoughts, ideas and stories with me so that our school can continue to grow.

We are saying farewell to a few of our classroom teachers as they move into their next phase, retirement.  Steve Squires, Jonathan Smith, Shanna Galluzzo, Tonja Moser and Lesslie Knight are leaving the halls of JDHS with a grand total of 118 years teaching here.  Each have made a lasting mark on generations of JDHS graduates, and will be sorely missed. As we welcome new members to the team we will make sure to celebrate them in the summer newsletter!  

Enjoy your summer, and some well deserved time with your JDHS student (or graduate!).