Dear Wexford Families,

I hope your family enjoyed the relaxation that summer days offer to your busy schedules.

I found time to visit with family and read a few books! I am looking forward to asking my favorite question, “What are you reading?” and offering advice, “Have I got a book for you!” while I greet our Wexford Elementary students next week.

The hot summer days brought changes to our physical space along with new routines planned for the fall. 

• Our library renovation project is nearing completion. We are looking forward to a formal ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate with you, our partnership with PROF, and our stakeholder contributors.
• The carpet project brightened our hallways too! 
• Outside of the building, you should notice the paving and concrete work to ensure community safety while traveling on our property. 
• Faculty and staff will engage in on-going professional development to dive deeper into our academic curricular planning and assessment. 
• Safety protocols are continuously being reviewed and rehearsed with all of the Wexford School employees. These strategic routines will also be practiced with our students throughout our school year. 

I would like to extend my gratitude to our Wexford PTO for supporting opportunities that bring us together. I especially appreciate their efforts to purchase our new One Book, One School title, Pigeon & Cat, written and illustrated by Edward Hemingway. This is an opportunity for our learning community to initiate and engage in conversations through thoughtful text and beautiful illustrations.

In true Wexford fashion, our bulletin boards, signage and RAMS Way lessons will align to the book’s theme: All Are Welcome. This message greets students and visitors on a huge sign in the foyer paired with copies of Edward Hemingway’s book for each classroom.

Pigeon & Cat teaches us that as individuals, we build trust and ask questions when we face new changes to form routines. Our Wexford students will learn about an unlikely friendship between a pigeon and a cat. Their connection shows how situations need us to find bravery within us while celebrating acts of kindness in a new community. 

Our plan to use this social and emotional theme in our daily interactions at Wexford Elementary will align to RAMS Way lessons inside and outside of the classroom. At the start of the new school year, each homeroom becomes a family as they explore the sense of belonging to build a community of learners. Books, lessons, and conversations tie us together as a Wexford community to inspire deeper learning and relationships. I am looking forward to a new school year as we repeat our mantra, “Together is our favorite place to be.”

Educationally yours,

Kelly Gustafson