As 2023 winds down, I’ve been reflecting on West Clermont Schools’ overarching objectives for this year – namely, to unite our stakeholders around a common goal and that is to continue investing in a brighter future for our children and ultimately, our community.

As I’ve shared before, our Portrait of a Graduate is our North Star. It outlines several attributes we have deemed important for our students to develop to be successful. Our companion portrait is our Portrait of an Educator, which calls on our teachers and leadership team to use many of these same skills to ensure we are moving our mission forward. These skills include:

1. Listening

Our district belongs to each one of you. It’s a place where children embark on learning journeys, and where community aspirations shape our roadmap. Your voice matters, and that’s why we’ve been wholeheartedly engaging with you through town halls, surveys, focus groups, committee meetings, and more. Every piece of feedback, every comment, and every idea you share is a step closer to building a district that truly echoes the collective dreams of our community.

2. Learning

Your input is invaluable. The countless comments, ideas, and critiques from both internal and external stakeholders have shaped our understanding and taught us new things about where our district needs to go. Our Roadmap Reports (westcler.org/roadmapreports) are a testament to this collective learning. We believe in complete transparency, and sharing the challenges and triumphs alike. It’s a two-way street. As we learn from you, we’re also dedicated to sharing the district’s realities, ensuring everyone is on the same page.

3. Problem Solving

Drawing from the rich tapestry of insights and shared learnings, we’re innovatively navigating the challenges our district faces. Every solution we consider and every decision we make is deeply rooted in collective wisdom, ensuring that the choices reflect our community’s shared vision.

You may be asking: what does the future of West Clermont Schools look like? Our commitment to you and our students remains the same. Student-centered is one of our core values and our work will therefore continue to center around what our students need to move confidently into their future.

Our facilities and learning spaces will also continue to be a primary focus. Our schools are more than brick and mortar; they are sanctuaries of learning, growth, and safety. Better facilities and more modern learning environments ensure academic success, higher quality teachers, and an overall better future for our kids and community.

As we head into the new year, I invite you to join us in our journey to shape a promising future for West Clermont Schools. Our next Town Hall meetings are scheduled for Nov. 28 at Merwin Elementary at 6 p.m. and Jan. 18, 2024, at West Clermont Middle School at 6 p.m. You can RSVP at our website, westcler.org.

By Natasha L. Adams, Superintendent and CEO for West Clermont Schools