Tuesday Talk with Dr. Dain

Dear Piper Nation!

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible students, dedicated staff, supportive parents, and engaged community members for coming out to this weekend's grand opening/flag raising ceremony! Your enthusiasm and pride were palpable as we unveiled our new state-of-the-art high school, Piper Creek Elementary School, and the Piper Early Childhood Center. These beautiful, modern facilities represent the culmination of our collective efforts and vision to provide our students with the very best opportunities for success.

Seeing our community come together to mark this milestone was a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we work hand in hand. Your continued support and belief in our district’s mission have made these improvements possible, and we’re excited to see how these new spaces will inspire and empower our students.

As we look ahead, we’re thrilled to welcome back our students tomorrow for what promises to be an amazing school year! These new facilities are ready to buzz with learning, creativity, and discovery. Together, we’ll make this year one to remember, filled with growth, achievement, and countless moments of pride.

This year, as we step into these innovative new spaces, we are more committed than ever to nurturing the qualities outlined in our Portrait of a Graduate. Our students will not only learn critical thinking and problem-solving skills, but they will also be encouraged to innovate and create, take initiative, and practice self-direction. We are focused on fostering resilience and social and emotional well-being, ensuring that our students are equipped with the social, global, and cross-cultural skills they need to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Thank you for being an essential part of our district’s story. Together, we are shaping a bright future for our students, and we’re excited to see all the incredible things they will achieve this year. #BELIEVETHEHYPE

Take a moment to watch some clips from Saturday's celebration:

Proud to be a Pirate:

Dr. Jessica Dain

Superintendent, Piper USD 203

Please note, late start Fridays DO NOT begin until next Friday, August 30.

The September Board of Education Meeting will take place on Monday, September 9, at 6 p.m., in the Board Room. Community stakeholders who wish to address the Board of Education should complete the following form (linked below) and send the completed form to the Board Clerk, Kim Buckner, at kim.buckner@piperschools.us no later than end of day on Monday, September 2.

Please note, the Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing will begin at 5:45 p.m., followed by the Budget Hearing at 5:50 p.m.

Access Board Docs (Agendas and Corresponding Reports)

Reminder that patrons can access agendas and corresponding reports via the website prior to or after each Board of Education meeting. For access, click here, where you will find agendas and reports from previous Board meetings.

We all know that change can be a disruptive and unsettling experience, but did you know that the effects of change are more intense for those that are survivors of trauma and hard things? For some people change is something we initially resist, then eventually we can grow around it until we don’t feel its sharpness anymore.

But, for many, many others, change can be a debilitating experience that leaves us triggered and emotionally struggling and if this is you, don’t be alarmed, there’s a reason for this!

Often when we’re confronted with an uncomfortable change, a trauma-affected brain will interpret it as inherently dangerous and can trigger a stress response such as fight, flight, freeze or fawn. No matter if it’s moving to a new city, ending a relationship, becoming an empty nester, changing jobs, losing your job, or suddenly falling ill can activate a stress response.

The reason for this response is that your brain is trying to keep you feeling safe in situations where you feel out of control. We are hard wired to latch on to predictability and comfort, especially after we’ve endured hardship, but sometimes the change is too much for us to metabolize all at once.

If this ever sounds like you, then here are some gentle reminders you can hold onto during those hard days:

1. You don’t have to like the change.

2. You are allowed to be upset, bothered, hurt and even sad about how your life is different now.

3. You can struggle while you’re learning to adapt and be okay again.

While it’s not helpful to get stuck in our fear response or remain resistant to change, you can try some of these strategies while you’re growing:

1. Stay present and ground yourself in the moment. Today is hard, but tomorrow will be just slightly better.

2. Talk to someone. There are always people you connect with about how you’re struggling to cope. Try friends, neighbors, a therapist, colleague, or anyone that you feel comfortable with.

3. Move your body. I know it’s hard but try to exercise, even if it’s just a 15 minute walk!

4. Journal or sit in your thoughts as a way to process your experience.

Remember, you can’t stop change, but with practice you might find that you will start reaching for your coping mechanisms more when you’re activated and that is an accomplishment you should be proud of! You got this.

Stay well friends,

Laura Moore, LCPC

District Mental Health Professional

Amber Buck, Community Outreach and Inclusion Coordinator

At Piper, "Inclusivity" isn't just a buzzword—it's our very first core value. We pair it with our other core values: Innovation, Community, Integrity, and Passion.

I'm Amber Buck, your Community Outreach & Inclusion Coordinator. I'll be sharing updates and insights about our district’s inclusivity efforts throughout the school year.

So, what does "inclusivity" really mean to us? We define inclusivity as the intentional, ongoing effort to ensure that diverse individuals fully engage in all aspects of our district.

This includes having a seat at the decision-making table and being valued as an integral part of the Piper community.

We can't wait to have you join us on this journey and be a part of all that we do!