Happy New Year! New Year’s resolutions are in the midst of being created and quickly abandoned. (As I enjoy one more piece of pickled herring while sitting on the couch watching a college football game.) One of the resolutions that seems to hold firm in our community is the support provided to our students, who greatly benefit from a caring, generous staff and supportive community.

At Lincoln Elementary School, the school unites to support any families in need to ensure all students have gifts to open at Christmastime. This effort is broadened in various areas across the community throughout the United Way of Douglas and Pope Counties (UWDP), and various faith organizations. Kids are at the heart of these caring programs.

Woodland Elementary School conducted a food drive where students, parents, and staff donated over 600 lbs of food to the Douglas County Food Shelf. One of the great benefits of this activity is the importance of modeling future desired behaviors. When adults engage, kids engage. Each Friday, students can pick up food through the UWDP backpack attack program to ensure they have food for the weekend. 

On the clothing front, staff, including teachers, social workers and counselors across schools, seek to problem-solve student needs they observe during the school day – from hats to boots and everything in between.

On the academic front, at our elementary schools, we use quantitative data along with teacher and staff observations to create support and interventions for students’ needs. These needs may be academic - reading and/or math - or from a social and behavioral standpoint. These supports are done in partnership with parents as we seek student growth.

Our high school has several initiatives to support student academic success. One is our guided study blocks. These are in place to help students who may need additional time and/or adult guidance to complete academic tasks. I popped into one of our guided study blocks last week. I was so impressed with how the students articulated how time benefits them.

Another program at Alexandria Area High School (AAHS) is our Unified Physical Education program. This program is designed to support a more caring and inclusive school community.  Students from mainstream settings are united with students with disabilities to work together to build confidence and competence in various physical activities. We heard from some of our seniors this fall that this course is their favorite course. This idea came from our current staff, who have been watching the work of our Unified Club at Discovery Middle School.  

As you think about your New Year's resolutions, I urge our families, staff, and community to continue to be resolute in the attributes of care and generosity. Happy New Year!