January 2025 District Dispatch
Hello Viking Community,
Dear Viking Community,
Welcome back! I hope you enjoyed a restful break—extended a bit by last week’s weather—and are ready to tackle the second half of the school year with renewed focus. This new beginning offers us a chance to think purposefully about what we want to achieve by year-end and the steps needed to get there.
As I reflect on the Viking Voyage document we introduced at the start of the year, I’m encouraged by the progress we’ve made. We’re on track with several key initiatives, including the Quality Profile, launching community coffee meetings, and making significant strides on our strategic plan—an update is included in this newsletter. While there is still much work to do, I’m confident we are moving toward our goal of providing the best education possible for our students.
January is also School Board Recognition Month—a fitting time to express my gratitude to our board members for their time, dedication, and unwavering commitment to our schools and community. I’d especially like to congratulate Mrs. Evelyn Vance and Mr. Jeff Schrock on their election as Board President and Vice President, respectively. Serving on a school board is no easy task, and I am truly grateful for their guidance, support, and tireless efforts.
Let’s make the most of this new beginning and continue working together to create opportunities and success for every student.
Warm regards,
Dr. Kristine Michael
Superintendent, Northridge Local Schools
Progress on Our Strategic Plan
We’re making great strides with our Strategic Plan in partnership with the Schlechty Center. Steering committee meetings and focus groups with staff, students, and community members have provided valuable insights to guide our work throughout the fall. The next step is to distribute surveys this spring to gather broader input–which you’ll be hearing about in the weeks ahead.
The steering committee will reconvene later this spring to synthesize the information, with the goal of finalizing the plan by the end of the school year and launching it in the new school year. Thank you for your engagement in this important process!
Rebecca Brechbill Named Principal of Northridge High School
Rebecca Brechbill began her role as the new principal of Northridge High School this month, bringing over two decades of experience within the district. She started her Northridge journey in 2002, teaching high school physical education and coaching multiple varsity sports and continued on as the assistant principal at Northridge Elementary School. Rebecca’s deep roots in the district make her transition to high school principal particularly special, as she now has the unique opportunity to see students she led in elementary school flourish as young adults.
Her primary focus is on fostering a culture of collaboration, respect, and growth, aiming to create an environment where students feel supported and inspired to reach their full potential. Reflecting on her first days as principal, Rebecca expressed gratitude for the community’s warm welcome, saying, “This school and community are truly special. I’m excited to continue building relationships and supporting our students during this pivotal time in their lives.”
Superintendent Kristine Michael shared her confidence in Rebecca’s leadership, saying, “Rebecca’s deep understanding of our community and her passion for student success make her the perfect leader for Northridge High School. I look forward to seeing her vision come to life.”
