Superintendent's Message

September 2011

Dear Shoreline Schools Community,

The beginning of the 2011-12 school year has been filled with excitement, anticipation and celebration. For the students enrolled in the Shoreline Schools, our collective goal is to support each child both academically and socially.

We recently received the results from the state assessments last spring. Our students performed consistently well above the state average in every area. Our students also performed better on the SAT and ACT tests than those in the state and the nation. However, despite these results, we challenge ourselves to do even better.

We continue to celebrate the fact that Shoreline's graduation rate now exceeds 90 percent, up more than 10 percent from five years ago. Our interventions and our extended learning efforts are paying off. But as educators, we won't be satisfied until every child leaves us with a diploma.

Finally, about 73 percent of our graduates go immediately into either a two or four-year college environment. More than 90 percent of them return for a second year. Our goal is for every student to graduate career and/or college ready. That is an expectation that we have for all of our children.

To this end, the 2011-12 Board/Superintendent/District Priorities summarize a work plan that will keep our District focused on maintaing our instructional programs, operational practices and communications at a high level for our educational community.

PRIORITY 1: Increase the academic achievement of every student.
PRIORITY 2: Maintain fiscal systems and adequate reserves to insure the long term financial stability of the District.
PRIORITY 3: Continue implementation of the capital projects identified in the 2006 Bond, the 2010 Bond and the 2010 technology levy.
PRIORITY 4: Continue focus on improved and expanded Human Resources services.
PRIORITY 5: Refine and expand infrastructure and educational uses for instructional technology.
PRIORITY 6: Continue to explore opportunities for open and timely communication with the Shoreline and Lake Forest Park communities, parents, and district staff.

As we implement our work plan for 2011-12, we constantly reflect upon and are appreciative of the supportive educational community we serve. Your partnership with our schools make them exceptional places to go to school and practice our profession. Thank you for your continued commitment to our Shoreline Schools.

Sincerely,
Sue Walker