Learning begins on Day 1 in District 200

On Wednesday, Aug. 19, Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 welcomed more than 13,000 students back to school. There is nothing quite like the first day of school, and those of us who work in education are fortunate to experience it every year.

After several months of planning, organizing and preparing, it was wonderful to once again fill our buildings with students. Seeing our students in the hallways, classrooms and common areas brings to life our mission to inspire, educate, challenge and support all students to reach their highest level of learning and personal development.

Many communities have to go to great lengths to remind parents and students that school is back in session. However, this community values education and that allows our staff to focus on student learning on the first day, rather than simply trying to get students in our doors.

Thank you to our students, staff, parents, guardians and community for a great start to the 2015-16 school year. I know this year will prove to be memorable and full of learning, collaboration and communication.

In the coming weeks, the board of education will affirm this year's priorities from within our Vision 2018 strategic plan (www.cusd200.org/vision2018) that was created as a result of your feedback during our Engage 200 community engagement program. I anticipate that Facility Master Planning will continue to be an area of focus and priority for our entire district community.

I invite you — and everyone in the community — to our first community engagement event of the school year, State of Our Schools, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Hubble Middle School, 3S600 Herrick Road, Warrenville. Join your neighbors for a conversation about our schools and our priorities for the future — including our buildings and facilities.

• Jeff Schuler is superintendent of Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200. His column appears in Neighbor monthly during the school year.