Dear students, staff, families and community,
Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week! I would like to take this opportunity to give a big shout out to Mount Baker’s amazing certificated staff members. They understand the importance of building positive relationships with students and families, engage students in meaningful learning, and strive to meet the individual and collective needs of all students. I feel so honored to work with all of them and call them colleagues. Please join me in giving them as many thank you messages as possible next week.
Tuesday, I went to Mountain School for the first time in my life. Thank you to the Harmony students who let me tag along on a beautiful hike with them. It was a wonderful day in a spectacular place. This experience for our sixth graders is part of our Connections Program that has been funded by a two-year grant. This grant supports every K-6 student in Mount Baker with outdoor instruction at school, local parks, and off-site at Silver Lake and in North Cascades National Park. My deep gratitude goes to all of our teachers supporting this learning and our community-based partners Common Threads Farm, Wild Whatcom, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, Camp Saturna, and North Cascades Institute.
Yesterday a notice was sent to parents of junior high and high school students regarding a threat from a student to cause harm at school. The threat was immediately assessed and dealt with to eliminate any potential harm to students and staff. Once we were able to remove the student from campus and partner with local law enforcement and our educational service district, we communicated the situation to families. One of the main reasons we conduct an investigation is to separate what actually happened from rumors that may be spreading. Unfortunately, we can’t always get communication shared ahead of the immediacy of social media in which people share information that is not always accurate. If you have a question or concerns, please check it out by calling your child’s school or calling me directly at 360-617-4600.
If you have been listening to news reports you know that many school districts throughout our state are experiencing severe and painful budget cuts. Mount Baker is also dealing with a $3 Million budget deficit. This is due to lack of sufficient funding from our state and federal legislators and specifically the loss of ESSER funding (COVID help), declining enrollment, inflation, and increased compensation for all staff members without regionalization support. We made some difficult reductions this past week and will making further cuts in the weeks to come. There is nothing good about this. Every staff member and program is important. I am devastated by the reductions we have to make and am trying my best to protect and support student programs.
Don’t forget you can shop at the MBHS Plant Sale in person Friday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Spring is full of activity and celebrations. Celebrate our students. Watch them compete, perform, and engage. We have a lot to be proud of in our school community!
Go Baker!
Sincerely,
Mary Sewright, Superintendent
msewright@mtbaker.wednet.edu
(360) 617-4600