Principal Message

WELCOME BACK

 

Charger Students, Parents and Guardians;

What a warm welcome so far from all the staff and community members that I’ve been in contact with in the last couple of weeks. As a new principal to the district your kindness has made this new transition to Mary Walker very special already. As we start the new school year, I am eager to meet students and parents. As you start to filter into the building you will notice a face lift in the office areas. Thanks to Dani Schurger, our new office manager, we are making some warm changes that we’re hoping you will appreciate. The office is open and we would love it if you stopped by to say hello.

Jaymi Stricker is joining our high school team this year and will be assisting in the successful management of our incoming 9th grade students, including some shared discipline responsibilities. She will also be focusing on ALE programming, PBIS in the MS and HS, Tribal partnerships and student support, college and career readiness, middle school athletics oversight and Character Strong implementation.

The summer custodial and maintenance teams have been working hard to prepare the buildings for students. This week they have been prepping and waxing floors. As you start the new year, I challenge you to give our custodians a shout out for the work they did this summer so that the school was ready for students to return. 

I am looking forward to working with staff during the August 17-19 Learning Improvement Days where your teachers will be working hard to prepare for your return.

On Thursday, August 18th is the Mary Walker Community Block Party from 4 PM - 7 PM. If you are a new family to the district please visit marywalker.org or facebook.com/MarywalkerSD for information about this special event. Sounds like you will find me flipping some Charger Burgers! I am looking forward to meeting students, parents and community members at the Block Party. You don’t want to miss out on this event for free school supplies, immunizations, and sports physicals. Following the event, Mr. Baker, our athletic director, is organizing a back to school Fall Athletics Parent Meeting. 

“Together we are better…creating opportunities and building success for every student.” I truly believe that together is the only way that our school can create an optimal teaching and learning environment. There are simply too many challenges for individuals to solve alone. Partnerships with parents and guardians is a magical key to your students' success. Open communication between families and staff is critical and one of my top priorities. We are stronger when we work together. I am looking forward to the journey. If you have any questions please feel free to stop into the school office. You will be welcomed.

This is a trying time for some of our families who might be facing adversity from the wildfires and my heart goes out to anyone who might be in this situation. I’ve had friends and family that were impacted last week in the Tonasket area and it has taken a toll. If you have been impacted as a family please reach out and let me know if there is anything that I can assist with as we move forward. My cell phone number is 509-936-5615.

Excited to start the new year!

Yours in Education,

Shawn Anderson, Principal