Dear Friends,

In this, our final letter in our series on the HF-L School District’s beliefs and core values, we focus on “fostering continuous improvement, creativity and transformational innovation.”

Continuous improvement is a value reflected throughout our Strategic Plan.  We set high goals for the achievement of ourselves and our students, and senior exit polls indicate that more and more of our graduates feel confident and prepared to enter the world of higher education and the workforce.

To ensure we begin our efforts with our youngest students, for the first time this year, we’re moving to an Enriched Developmental full day Kindergarten program for all students.  In addition, early introduction to Spanish is being expanded, building toward more critical need languages.  Our State funded Universal Pre-K program, also new this year, has been designed in partnership with local Pre-K providers. It will ensure that our youngest learners get a head start on enriched developmental experiences, before they even enter the doors of Lima Primary.

Our students are fortunate to benefit from a number of unique and innovative learning opportunities.  Physical Education is certainly showing its innovative side with the recent awarding of a grant totaling over $250,000 from the Greater Rochester Health Foundation that will allow the Manor School to initiate a program that capitalizes on children’s fascination with interactive technology. A virtual fitness lab will house interactive stationary bikes, an interactive sports wall and an XerDance machine.  The funds will also be used to market nutritional food purchases from the Manor School Cafeteria.

As we strive to prepare our students for a global society, we must foster an environment which helps our students obtain an understanding of and appreciation for diversity in all of its various dimensions.  This requires more than just speaking a second language.  Respect and empathy for all people are traits that our children must hold if they are to be responsible members of a global community.  Our Diversity Committee and our Assets Committee work hard to ensure that we promote and provide an environment in which all people are welcomed and respected, and that our children are provided with opportunities to make a positive impact in our schools and community.  Please join us in promoting tolerance, understanding and acceptance of others with your child, and help them find the best ways for them to make a positive difference in our community and our world. 

On November 5, we will host another Global Café event, focused on preparing our students for success in a global society in the year 2020 and beyond.  Please join us to share your ideas on how we can continue to improve our programs and services to our students to best prepare them for success in the future.

For more information on our beliefs and core values, as well as the goals we set for achievement, please read our Strategic Plan in its entirety on our District website at www.hflcsd,org.

Sincerely,

Michelle Kavanaugh, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools