September 2023

Dear Shaw Viking Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members,

I hope this letter finds you well and in high spirits as we close out a truly remarkable first week of the new school year. First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended our Launch Conferences prior to the first day of school. We had an incredible turnout, with approximately 80% of our students represented. Your active participation underscores your commitment to your children's education, and we couldn't be more thrilled to collaborate with you this year. 

Our first week was filled with enthusiasm, learning, and meaningful engagement. Together, we established important norms, expectations, and routines that will guide our Vikings throughout the school year. I am exceptionally proud of how well our students participated in these discussions, offering their valuable input and taking ownership of their learning environment. The highlight of the week was undoubtedly our first assembly, where we had the pleasure of officially welcoming our newest Vikings—our 6th graders—to Shaw Middle School. It was an uplifting experience filled with Viking pride, and one that marked an important milestone for our young scholars. 

As we move forward, it's imperative that we continue to work together to achieve our key priorities: ensuring that students arrive at school on time, remain in class, increase their academic achievements, and prepare for the next vital stage in their educational journey—high school. With collaborative efforts, we can ensure that every Viking sets sail in the right direction. Thank you once again for your dedication and support. Together, we're not just navigating the year ahead; we're setting the course for a lifetime of success. #ThisIsShaw

Shaw students are amazing, diverse, and talented. We are proud of all 680+ students who represent 19 languages spoken and who participate in after school sports and activities, contributing to make Shaw an awesome place to be.

Though we come from different areas from around Spokane and the world we find unity in being Vikings. Pictured above are a few highlights from the first week of school - playing piano in the commons, moving into the student section, and enjoying the first assembly of the year. Thank you for the opportunity to get to know your child and family more during the start of the school year. #ThisisShaw

We are a proud Title I School. This is a federal designation that provides our school additional resources to improve student learning. We use our Title I funds to hire additional instructional staff, provide professional development opportunities for staff, purchase additional instructional materials, and engage the family community in events. We will be planning virtual family events in the future. Please view our Shaw website for more information.

At Shaw, we invite you to continue to find ways to partner with us in your student’s education. One way to partner with us is to provide input on our Title I Parent Engagement Plan, our Title I Compact, and our School Improvement Plan which have been emailed out to families and placed on the Shaw website home page. We appreciate your feedback. Thank you, families, for supporting your students at Shaw Middle School.