Welcome to the South Kitsap School District! Our vision to Nurture Growth, Inspire Achievement and Build Community has been the driving force behind our shared effort to ensure high levels of success for all students through a commitment to reach and teach the whole child.
We appreciate the great privilege we have in working with you to support and encourage your child to learn and grow into a confident, well-prepared, motivated young adult. We also recognize this shared goal can only be accomplished through a strong and collaborative partnership which includes the school, family, student and community resources.
Our Declaration of Interdependence affirms our beliefs in and goals for all children. Further, it stresses how essential each of us is to ensuring success for every student. This simple, yet powerful document begins with the statement: All children are capable of success, without exception! So what is success? With significant input from parents, staff members and students themselves, we have identified the key indicators of a successful student: Safe, Challenged, Healthy, Connected and Cared for, and Hopeful. These characteristics reflect a successful child – a whole child.
Our Declaration of Interdependence emphasizes that whole children require a whole community: Success for ALL takes us ALL and Each of us is a key to their success. While there are many “keys” to success, here are a few tips that will truly empower your child – at any age- to have a successful 2011-12 year
Safe: Closely monitor internet use – for age-appropriate material as well as interaction with peers on social networking sites; have a communication plan; know your child’s friends and family; review your child’s school handbook together; talk about bullying and report any incident to the school.
Challenged: Stress that “school always comes first;” have a daily routine for homework – a set time and location; review your child’s agenda book/school planner every day; check your child’s progress on Skyward (grades on-line for junior and senior high school students); help connect learning to what your child enjoys – go to the library, check out books of interest; change the daily question of “how was your day” to “share something that you learned today.”
Healthy: Set time limits on TV/computer/video games; require “play” time and physical activity; set reasonable and consistent “bed times” – adequate sleep is absolutely essential to student learning (and have phones turned off – this rest is vital and shouldn’t be interrupted); nutrition – pack a healthy lunch and/or opt for our breakfast and lunch opportunities which include fresh fruit and vegetables every day; make sure your child’s immunizations are current.
Connected and Cared For: It’s a fact – students who are involved in organized activities perform better in school! Sports, theatre, band, dance, Scouting, Boys and Girls Club, volunteer work, etc. are great ways for students to learn, be active, and gain critical skills like teamwork, cooperation, self-discipline and character development. In addition, organized activities provide more “keys” for children – positive adult role models teaching and encouraging children to grow and be their best.
Hopeful: “I am a kid at hope!” – successful students have goals and dreams for the future and have opportunities to be involved in and connected to programs/people who support those dreams; communicate your pride and confidence in their abilities to succeed – and do so by holding them to high standards.
Thank you in advance for “signing on” and for declaring that you are “key” to the success for your child, every child!
