There are two words that can make a huge difference in your school community this year: You matter.
If students, parents, and teachers know that their contributions and presence make an impact every single day, it can change their attitude towards school and ignite their confidence to share their talents.
Letting students and parents know that they matter from the first day of school is key to building a supportive and empathetic community. Todd Nesloney, principal of Navasota Intermediate in Texas, sends his students and their parents a letter before school even starts to let them know that they are appreciated and valued.
We wanted to share Todd's letter with you to inspire a culture of mattering in your school community as you meet students and their parents for the first time.
Parents, Guardians, Students, and More,
Can you believe it? Another school year is upon us! I can’t tell you enough how excited I am to be joining the Navasota School District, and even more importantly, Navasota Intermediate. We have spent the summer putting together a team of “Superheroes” who are ready to meet all of you!
This school year is truly going to be something special. Why? Because I can promise you that Navasota Intermediate is going to be a place filled with laughter, passion, and learning. At Navasota Intermediate we want each and every person that comes onto this campus to know they are valued and that they hold tremendous worth. We want to teach our students to “Be Brave”. We believe in fresh-starts and new beginnings. We believe in growth and potential. And we believe in bringing everyone together to accomplish success.
To the students, I want you to know how much we truly care about you at Navasota Intermediate. And we haven’t even met you yet! You are the reason we come to work every day. You matter to each and every one of us. When you come onto this campus, you are the most important thing in the world to us. We hope that every day you leave our building knowing how special you are and just how much potential you hold.
To the parents and guardians, you are just as important. Without you, we will not reach our full potential as a school. We value you and your opinions. We look to you as a partner in your child’s education. We are excited to work with you and to greet you with a smile and open arms each and every day. Navasota Intermediate will be a place where you are welcome any time.
To all others, we know this is a team effort. We know it will take an entire community coming together. We invite the entire community to take part in the exciting upcoming school year at Navasota Intermediate.
I look forward to meeting all of you at Meet the Teacher night on August 21st, from 4-6pm. I’ll have all my “Superhero” Team ready and waiting! This school year is filled with unlimited potential and we are ready to meet the challenges head on!
Continue to let students and parents know that their contributions are valued and are meaningful through sending them messages throughout the school year. Through Remind, you can share photos and short descriptions of students' accomplishments, or send motivational messages to cheer your students on!
Remind messages reach parents and students wherever they are—at home, at work, at a sports game, or at the grocery store—on their cell phone. A quick message of encouragement or affirmation can go a long way throughout the busy school year.
Inspire other teachers and share your back to school Remind messages with us on Twitter and Facebook with #RemindLove. Just remember two important words as you navigate the first few weeks of school: You matter! Everything you do makes a difference in your students' lives, and that's why you're a superhero!
