Good evening students, staff, families and community,
As the calendar turned to March this week, we experienced winter weather. Thank you all for your understanding in needing to cancel school this week. With the cancellation of school, and the holiday on June 19th, the last day of school will now be scheduled for Tuesday, June 20th, unless there are future school cancellations.
2023-2024 SCHOOL CALENDAR
The 2023 - 2024 school calendar has been approved by the school board this week and it can be found here.
As we have mentioned before, one thing we learned from the adjusted schedule during the pandemic was the value of the consistent dedicated time for teachers to collaborate. This afforded staff the opportunity to review student performance, develop targeted plans to assist students, and learn from each other. While this was previously achieved through the use of the two-hour late start schedule, we have received feedback that our two hour late starts aren’t working well for staff or for families. However, that collaboration time is still critical to support and increase student achievement.
We are moving in the direction of a one hour late start every week, on the same weekday, for the coming school year. This would allow teachers this critical opportunity to collaborate, address concerns and seek help from their colleagues on a more consistent basis. We would like feedback from our families as to which day of the week they would prefer, choosing between Tuesdays and Wednesdays. (These are the two best days for us, factoring in things like holidays and typical days of the week for professional development.) Should we move forward with this schedule change, we will consider the majority choice by families who complete this form.
SUPPER WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
This Wednesday I will be hosting my next Supper with the Superintendent at Birch Bay Bible Church beginning at 6:00 pm. I hope many of you will be able to join us for some food and an opportunity to explore topics of interest to you including school funding and school schedules.
ATHLETICS
Great things are happening for the Borderites this weekend. The boys basketball team won last night and will play against Kings in the State Semifinals tonight at 9:00 P.M. in the Yakima Sun Dome. A win this evening would put them in the State Finals tomorrow at 5 P.M. You can listen live on KPUG 1170 or catch the action with a paid subscription on NFHS Network.
UPCOMING DATES
Wednesday, March 8th - Supper with the Superintendent
Monday, March 20th - Regularly Scheduled Late Start
Friday, March 31st - Non Student Day
April 3rd - 7th - Spring Break
April 12th-14th - Family Teacher Conferences (All Grade Levels Release at 12:50 pm)
As I prepare to send this to you, I’ve arrived in Yakima and am preparing to route on the Borderites at the Sun Dome. It’s a great night to be a Borderite, and, as always, a great night to be your superintendent.
Sincerely,
Dr. Christopher Granger Each Student. Each Day.