Hello Families,
I hope you are having a great summer. Thanks to all our students and families who have participated in the various summer programs the district is offering this year! It has been a great summer full of learning, exploring and playing sports!
Today I’m reaching out with two updates. First, I’d like to direct you to our Return to School plan. This plan outlines how the district will prioritize an optimal teaching and learning environment for staff and students, while meeting the requirements set forth by the Minnesota Departments of Health and Education. Please take a minute to review this document for the upcoming school year.
Secondly, I want to share about the School Improvement Plan, Phase One, that was approved by the board in June. This $28 million plan does not require voter approval and addresses some of our most pressing facility issues including cafeteria and kitchen renovations in the Elementary School, parking lot reconfigurations and reconstruction district-wide, and fire suppression and HVAC at the Middle/High School. It also includes an Activity and Wellness addition on the west end of the Elementary, thanks to a generous partnership with Lakewood Health System. Today was our first user group meeting to discuss the project as part of the design phase, and we anticipate construction beginning in May of 2022.
I am looking forward to this upcoming year as we both return to a more typical school year and launch Phase One of our project. The opportunities for our students and communities are bright at Staples-Motley School District, and I am proud to serve our district as we move forward.
We are looking forward to seeing our students back at school for open house nights next month, and to start school after Labor Day. Please reach out if you have any questions as we approach the start of a new school year.
With Gratitude,
Shane Tappe
Superintendent