Superintendent's Message History
Superintendent's Message History
Every month our school district joins the KVNU “For the People” radio show to highlight the achievements of students and teachers in our schools. Just the other week, two members of the cast of the Logan High School production of Prince of Egypt (showing on November 20, 21, and 23) joined me to talk about the production and their experiences as student performers. As I listened to them I reflected on the number of visual and performing arts opportunities students in our school district have available to them, and the unique ways in which the arts help them develop as learners.
Our elementary students have access to regular music instruction by our Music Specialists, and those who are interested can participate in orchestra through our partnership with Mountain West Strings Academy. In the middle school, students can develop their performance skills in orchestra, band, choir, and theater, as well as explore various forms of visual art. These opportunities all expand at Logan High as students add photography, sculpture and videography to their list of possible courses. Students have the opportunity to explore a wide range of artistic forms, or select an area in which they want to specialize and develop their skills to a higher level, all under the coaching of highly skilled educators.
This breadth of opportunities is one way our schools strive to provide the personalized experiences each student needs to thrive, developing the skills and attitudes that will allow them to create a positive future for themselves and their community. If you have questions about how your child can participate in some of these opportunities, I invite you to talk with their teacher or a school counselor so they can help.
Have a fantastic week!
Superintendent Frank Schofield
Friends,
Recently I was told about one of our elementary students who was staying after school to get additional tutoring in reading. He and some of his friends remained at school for an additional thirty minutes every day, and worked with his teacher to improve his reading skills. After weeks of consistent, focused effort, the student finally met his goal! When his teacher celebrated this achievement the student exclaimed ”I never knew this much work could feel like winning a trophy!” This young friend, with the support of school staff and his parents, made the necessary effort to develop his reading skills and reach his academic goals, and felt the satisfaction and
pride that come with reaching those goals.
That celebration of achievement is a common reality as our educators and parents work together to achieve our district mission of ensuring all students leave our schools ready to create a positive future for themselves and their community. Our Portrait of a Graduate illustrates the skills we believe are essential to the fulfillment of that mission and preparing students for lifelong success. The first element of our Portrait of a Graduate is focused on helping students become academically prepared, which means we want them to be…
- Proficient in core academic subjects
- Equipped with critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Ready for additional training and entry to the workforce after high school
Whether we consider our strong early reading scores, the number of students who earn the state’s Seal of Biliteracy when the graduate from Logan High, our frequent trend of students at Logan High being recognized as National Merit Scholars or simply our high school graduation rate (over 92%), we can see frequent examples of students who are leaving our school academically prepared and ready to take on their next steps as learners.
Thanks to all members of our community, parents and others, who contribute to our students’ success. You can learn more about this Portrait of a Graduate, and some of the steps we take as a school to promote it, by reading our Strategic Plan and Strategic Report. If you would like to know more about how you can be involved in supporting this work, please contact us by clicking this link here.
I hope you have a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Superintendent Frank Schofield
Friends,
Last week we celebrated 109 years of Logan High School during homecoming week! I hope you had the opportunity to participate in some of the activities that took place and take part in the sense of community that those events create.
The sense of community is one of my favorite things about homecoming week. I love seeing our entire district community come together, as well as the connections between students that are strengthened during that celebration. The Homecoming Parade visibly celebrates the diversity and unity of the Logan community, and it was especially exciting this year to have other schools in the district participate! Our Grizzly Pride handoff is a newer tradition where kindergarten students and high school seniors meet on the 50 yard line of the football field, passing the torch of LHS school pride to a new generation of students and helping them forge a connection between their experience in kindergarten and their future opportunities at Logan High. And, of course, the homecoming football game brings back alumni as our community comes together to cheer on our student athletes.
This sense of community is one of the primary reasons neighborhood public schools exist. Community schools build that sense of cohesion that contributes to student success and wellbeing. Our schools bring people from diverse backgrounds together and involve them in collectively weaving the social fabric that unites youth, parents, and others in a common purpose: the success and learning of our children.
Thank you for your commitment to our local neighborhood schools. Your support, engagement, and participation are essential to the growth and success of each school community, and I am grateful for the opportunities are have to partner with one another as we do this work.
Sincerely,
Superintendent Frank Schofield
Friends,
I hope the school year is progressing smoothly for you and your children! Next week is our Logan High School Homecoming week, with various events that celebrate the history of Logan High School as a centerpiece of our community. Our Homecoming Parade will be held on Wednesday at 6:00 pm on 200 West between 200 North and 100 South. It is a fantastic celebration of our students and our schools, and I hope you are able to join us!
Our district’s mission is to “ensure all students leave our schools ready to create a positive future for themselves and their community.” We divide that mission into six specific elements, which are included in our district’s Portrait of a Graduate. This document includes some of the attitudes, behaviors, and skills we strive to help students develop during their time in the Logan City School District.
This year, I will share examples with you of how our teachers, principals, and support staff address these goals through their interactions with students. You’ll hear how the kindergarten teachers help students learn how to manage their big emotions and show empathy for others. I’ll share how schools implement structures that teach students responsibility and personal accountability for their decisions, and you’ll read about the ways in which we help students become comfortable with emerging technologies, including age-appropriate discussions of the challenges and opportunities of Artificial Intelligence.
Our ability to meet these goals is strengthened through the collaborative relationships that exist between parents and the school. Thank you for those partnerships and the opportunity we have to work together for the wellbeing and learning of all of our students!
Sincerely,
Superintendent Frank Schofield
Friends,
I hope the start of the school year has been positive for you and your families! With all of the energy that goes into the start of the year, thank you for the work you do as parents to establish positive habits of attendance and completing school assignments with your children. Right now, 83% of our students have been at school at least 11 of the last 13 days. This early pattern of consistent attendance improves their chances of success in school, and helps them develop habits that will benefit them as they enter the workforce.
Creating positive experiences for students now, so they can create positive experiences for themselves in the future is the core idea of our district mission of “ensuring all students leave our schools ready to create a positive future for themselves and their community.” Our students will follow many different paths after graduating from high school. Some will enlist in the military or work for their family business, while many will attend a four-year university and others will enroll in certification programs through a technical college. Regardless of what path they choose, our mission is to help them develop the attitudes, behaviors, and skills that will promote their success. Every educator in the Logan City School District is fully committed to this mission, and we look forward to working with you as partners in this effort.
During the year, I will share stories here of how that work is being done, and how partnerships between parents, educators, and students are contributing to the achievement of our district mission. We know you already receive a lot of messages from our schools, so we won’t send these messages out through ParentSquare. The weblink will be included in our weekly message from Shana Longhurst, so I invite you to watch for those.
Sincerely,
Superintendent Frank Schofield