The 2026-27 school year is underway, and I’m excited to see all that lies ahead for D38. In our district, we talk about, “The D38 Difference.” At its heart, it’s about being a small community that provides big opportunities for every student, every day. That difference starts on day one of every school year.

The D38 Difference aligns with our core values of Excellence, Integrity, Respect, Connection, and Growth. Those values guide how our staff show up each day, and how we create schools where students and families feel welcome. We want every individual who comes to one of our campuses to feel like they belong. Building relationships with everyone is central to who we are, and helps us provide the best educational experience for our students.

While we are proud of our small community feel across D38, we are equally proud of the academic and extracurricular opportunities we offer students. Our Career & Innovation Center (CIC) is in its second year, and we will soon launch pathways in computer science and healthcare. This will multiply the course offerings at our CIC and expand on the career fields that our students can explore while still in high school.
Because we believe in “Every Student, Every Day” in D38, we will soon open a new facility for our Home School Enrichment Academy. The new space will provide our homeschool students with opportunities to learn and engage with peers through drama, music, art, and academics. We are on track to open the facility in October, and are excited about what it will bring to our homeschool families.

Over the last year, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with many community leaders and organizations. I’m grateful for the relationships built and look forward to continuing our collaboration for the benefit of our students. Keep an eye out for a new community program: “Citizens in Our Schools,” that will provide opportunities for residents to see firsthand all the amazing things taking place in D38 and offer special perks for our senior citizens.

I thank you for your support and partnership, and I look forward to a fantastic new school year!