CHOOSING GREATNESS
In January, I began my ninth year serving as your superintendent. Staff and parents often say that Southern Door is like a “family” and I would agree. As a district, we have both successes and challenges, but through it all, we remain “Eagle Strong,” committed to each other and dedicated to doing our best, proud of who we are, and passionate about this community in which we live.
Our students are achieving at levels that will serve them well in the future as we prepare them to become college, career, and community ready. Even though the recent school report cards show that the district and the elementary school “exceed expectations” and the middle & high schools “meet expectations”, we are never satisfied with our results. The Board of Education recently increased graduation credits and included a community service requirement of 40 hours. They are now developing new district goals designed to put strategic plans in place to better address academic, social & emotional, and human resource needs in the district.
Helping students compete on a global level with their peers locally and in the state and country, means we need to become more engaged with technology as a tool so that students can “learn without limits.” The district is a national Future Ready School. It was one of 27 schools in the state to receive a Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation grant to equip a new Fabrication Manufacturing & Innovation Education Lab. This along with significant grant writing by district staff has secured outside funding to provide additional opportunities.
Staff have high expectations for all students and build strong relationships with students and families. Southern Door educators often step forward and ”lead the way” for others. Southern Door was the first school to use software tools called INSPIRE and Career Cruising to help students explore a variety of career options. This fall, our high school received the Friend of Education award for its innovative curriculum work with the Door County Civility Project.
Students at Southern Door continue to distinguish themselves in academics, arts, athletics, music, and the trades. Evidence of the academic achievement, co-curricular success, and student volunteer work is found in the significant amount of scholarships our graduating seniors obtain. Last year’s class secured over $250,000 in scholarships for one year and $600,000 over four years from local, regional, state, and national organizations.
The district’s auditors find Southern Door to be fiscally responsible and when compared to other schools in the area, the district has one of the lowest costs of operation. We continue to advocate with our local legislators and the Governor’s new Blue Ribbon Panel on education to find a more equitable way of funding rural schools so the district can provide our students with the same opportunities that other schools have and enhance the community in which all residents benefit.
We have much to celebrate in this community. Our accomplishments are significant and do not happen by chance. They are the result of dedicated individuals who care deeply about the well-being of others. The school is the center of the community. Thank you for the time, talent, and treasure that so many of you share with us. Whether it is attending an athletic event, music program, volunteering in the school, supporting special activities like the Haunted Mansion or working with us as partners in your child’s education. The efforts of our staff and community have provided a great education for so many generations of Southern Door children and will continue to do so going forward in the future!
Your Partner in Education
Patti