Good Afternoon,
Given your busy schedules, thank you for considering next week’s S5S: A New Conversation conference a priority. We are very excited to host this first-of-its-kind event. My goal was to have 100 attend and today we are at 150 and counting! We are in close contact with speakers, panelists, and moderators and the enthusiasm is high. I am confident you will find your batteries recharged with inspiration, information, and opportunities. A couple of late additions include messages from members of our federal delegation, Governor Mead’s attendance the morning of January 14th, and a national CTE speaker.
I traveled to Big Horn this week to celebrate their status as one of the top 500 high schools (Newsweek, 2015). One of my personal goals for 2016 is to regularly and frequently visit schools. As I plan travel to communities for meetings and events, you may receive a call from Rita to coordinate visits. Most of you know that when I visit I really like to say hello to staff and students, talk with you about salient issues, visit classrooms, read to kids, pass out coloring books, speak, or whatever else you have in mind. Also, if you have an event (celebration, graduation, etc.) where you would like me to attend or speak, please contact Rita so we can work it into my schedule. Winter travel and a full schedule are my biggest challenges and I thank you for your patience.
The legislative session is less than one month away. We have done an excellent job during the interim to move the work forward so our focus is what matters: increased opportunities for students to succeed:
- assurances that our schools in most need of intervention/improvement have the supports they need
- school funding
- safety and security
- accountability
- increased Hathaway opportunities
Finally, here is the memo that will be released on Monday, January 11, 2016:
- Memo 2016-002: Statewide Digital Learning Plan Development
- 2016-002-attachment: Listening Tour Flyer
Many thanks for all you do!
Jillian