Graduates' achievements reflect community efforts
On Saturday, May 27, I had the pleasure of sitting on stage to watch each of our 2017 graduates receive their diplomas. As I watched each student smile and shake hands with a member of the Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 school board, I reflected on the collective effort of our community to make that day possible.
Graduation ceremonies are a wonderful experience. Talented students have the opportunity to reflect with their classmates. Often the student and adult speeches combine reflections on the accomplishments of the graduating class with a challenge to apply all that has been learned to future endeavors. As I scanned the 2017 graduates sitting in front of me, I saw scholars, artists, performers, athletes, community servants and people of high character. As they walked off the stage with diploma cover in hand, I saw the future of our community. From my vantage point, the future sure looks positive!
As a former middle school teacher, I know that the real accomplishments, the real magic, happen in our classrooms each day. I truly enjoy walking into classrooms and seeing the excitement of a student who learns something new, and the pride of a staff member who helped him get there. Countless moments like this play out daily in District 200. The result is 973 trips across the stage at graduation and an opportunity for each graduate to shape our future.
As the 2016-17 school year has ended, I would like to recognize and thank all members of the District 200 community for making this school year great. Education is clearly valued in our community and that would not be possible without the collective effort of our school board, staff, parents, students and community. It does indeed take a village, and I am proud to be a part of a community that takes such great care of our youth.
We remain committed to building upon the successes of this year. As we look ahead to the 2017-18 school year, this means continuing to focus on the experience and opportunity provided to our students in our classrooms and school buildings. It also means a continued commitment to putting in place a solution to our facility needs that is in the best interest of our children. This summer and into next fall, our school board will be making important decisions in this area and community members can expect to see ongoing communication from us throughout the summer.
I thank you for your support of our students and district. I wish all families and staff a safe and relaxing summer vacation.
• Jeff Schuler is superintendent of Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200. His column appears monthly in Neighbor during the school year.