Dear District 113 Community,
I was in both buildings today for the first day of school for students, and it was a great first day. I saw students hanging out with their friends and teachers getting to know their students in class, and there was that feeling of excitement that only students and educators know (but high school students rarely acknowledge). Our business in District 113 is providing each student with the opportunities and experiences needed to pursue their ideal life after high school. That work began as it should on day one.
As we thought would happen, it was not a great first arrival at the one entrance at HPHS where students were being screened by a weapons detection system. We did not have time to teach students at HPHS how to move through scanning their IDs followed by being screened for weapons before rolling the system out, and it showed. We learned a lot today about ways to make arrival go more quickly without compromising security, and we will be implementing those changes tomorrow, and learn some more.
Students were more patient than I probably would have been at that age. I apologize to the students who had to wait a long time today, and I apologize in advance if our improvements still result in delays tomorrow.
Thanks to all the staff who made sure everything was ready for students, and thanks to all the teachers who started another great school year. I also am grateful to parents who support our schools and are such an important part of making Deerfield High School and Highland Park High School the great schools they are.
Bruce Law, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
|