Welcome and Weekly Message
Dear Anderson Valley Community,
I know that you received the news this morning about the identification of a successor Superintendent, Kristin Balliet Larson. I am very delighted with this choice, as I have worked with Kristin and found her an exceptionally talented administrator that truly believes all students can achieve. I am confident that the initiatives that we have put in place over the past three years will continue and be expanded under her leadership.
I know there are questions about the high school principal vacancy this appointment creates. We will be running the vacancy on Edjoin and working with appropriate candidates. Elementary principal interviews were held last week and we expect to have an announcement shortly. I know this period of transition is hard, but we have to follow the process. Your patience is appreciated.
At the elementary school, the new fence looks very nice. We appreciate our neighbors’ patience as we installed that under the direction of Northwest Construction. The dental screenings are completed and results will be mailed. Summer school forms went out this week and need to be returned by May 3. Please make sure your child attends, if they are recommended for summer school, so they can remain competitive academically.
At the high school, packing continues. The library staff has done a fantastic job getting everything boxed up with a small library collection left for the last month of school. We have some major packing to do in the science rooms. Students will be located in three portables for a portion of the school year next year. Construction should be completed by December 2024. Local contractor Casey Cupples is handling the construction along with project manager Donald Alameida.
Progress report grades went home. I go through every report card and make a spreadsheet of every student that has a D or multiple poor grades. Our team looks at that data and tries to evaluate ways to support. However, we need parent support too. If your student is struggling, daily after school tutoring in all subjects is available one hour after school in the library and throughout the day in the library. Please have your student use that support. We build the structures, but we need partnership to make sure students avail themselves of this support. Summer school forms for the high school went home. Any student that needs to make up a poor grade to maintain four year college eligibility is encouraged to attend, as are any students that have a credit deficiency for high school graduation. High school students will be located at the elementary campus in an outbuilding with its own restroom facility due to construction at the Junior Senior High.
I cannot reiterate the importance again of making sure that your students post their best effort in this final period of school. This semester grade is the one that sticks on the transcript. Please take the time to monitor your student’s work and make sure they are on track. We have seen some magical improvement with kind and supportive mentoring, and I thank Ms. Burger for her work on our campus this semester.
A huge shout out of thanks to the Bond Oversight Committee that met on Thursday. This is a group of community members that needs to review the expenditures and progress of the bond. We are still looking for a member to represent a taxpayer organization. If you are interested please let me know.
The last thing I want to mention is the District phone system is going to be fully replaced in both hardware and software on May 6. The phone company requires us to do it on a weekday between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. and that could not be a worse time for us and our families. Please bear with us and be flexible. If you have an extreme emergency, you can call my cell at 707-684-1017. Please remember EMAIL will be functioning and the site administrators and staff will be able to answer your questions through email. We are delighted about this necessary upgrade managed by Technology Manager, Wynne Crisman but we need everyone’s understanding as the rollout will have unforeseen bumps on the road.
I hope you have a happy and safe weekend.
Louise Simson
Superintendent
(707) 684-1017
