Hello Eastside Parents and Families,
As I write this letter, we are halfway through our first temporary virtual education (TVE) day of the school year. Thank you for your flexibility in transitioning quickly to a TVE day. Please take note of any difficulties or frustrations, and please communicate with your child's teacher.
Beyond the TVE day, February promises to be an exciting month of learning and activity. Our Kindergarten music program is happening Thursday of this week, along with a 2nd Grade field trip to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West on Wednesday, PTK Meeting on Thursday, and PTK's "Donuts with Grownups" event on Friday before school. Next week includes dental screenings, parent-teacher conferences, and more! I am grateful to be part of a vibrant school community with so many highly engaged stakeholders. Our school community is strongest when we are all actively involved.
Each month, I want to highlight one or two of my core, “Non-Negotiables” as an educational leader. These tenets guide my leadership process as principal, and will help you get to know me.
1. Highly Effective Teaching and Learning is Why the School Exists. (Dec. Newsletter)
2. We Put Children First. (Dec. Newsletter)
3. Relationships are Required…(Jan. Newsletter)
4. It Takes All of Us…(Jan. Newsletter)
5. Best is the Standard…Always Improving...
Good, better, best…never let it rest until your good is better and your better is best. Not knowing is an opportunity for growth. Every failure just brings us one step closer to the right way forward. Sometimes in life, our current level just won’t cut it. We need to improve. We all can improve. We can make our best even better. We don’t strive for perfection, that’s an impossibility. We strive for excellence. Best, not perfection, is the standard.
6. The Key is Me…
“If it is to be, it’s up to me.” - William H. Johnsen
I must take ownership of my own success and/or failure. I make it happen, or it won’t happen.
If you don’t yet follow our Eastside Elementary Facebook Page, or if we don’t have your correct email address on file, you’re missing out. Every Friday, I send home an email with an overview of how our week went, and what was accomplished.
As always, thank you for partnering with Park County School District #6 and our team at Eastside to meet your child's educational needs. Eastside is 1 of 26 elementary schools across all of Wyoming that is exceeding Wyoming State School Performance Expectations. We are exceeding expectations thanks to our incredible faculty and staff, our diligent scholars, and our engaged and supportive parents and families. It is our pleasure and privilege to serve you.
SOAR Eagles,
Joseff J. B. Smith
Proud Principal
Eastside Elementary School
