Message from Superintendent Whitten

 

 

After months of planning, preparing, organizing, problem-solving, and anticipating the needs of our students and staff, today our buildings come alive again as we welcome students back!

 

We are excited to see their smiles, the reunions, the first-day excitement, and all of the possibilities that come with a new school year.

 

We also know that every student will not walk through our doors feeling excited. Some may be nervous. Some may feel uncertain or overwhelmed. Some may have difficulty expressing exactly what they are feeling. And some may simply be wondering:

 

Will I be okay here?
Will someone understand me?
Will I belong?

 

To our families, I want you to know that we understand the tremendous trust you place in us when you send your child to any of our programs here at ECHO Joint Agreement.

 

Our commitment is to welcome each student for exactly who they are, recognize the abilities and potential they possess, and provide the programs, services, supports, and relationships they need to grow and thrive.

 

We want every student to know:

 

You are seen.
You are valued.
You belong.
Your abilities matter.
And there is a place for you here.

 

As Superintendent, I am incredibly proud to serve this school community. I am proud of our students, grateful for the trust and partnership of our families and member districts, and proud of the dedicated ECHO Joint Agreement staff who have chosen this very special work. It is a privilege to lead a community so deeply committed to seeing possibility in every student.

 

We begin this new year with an emphasis on Deepening Our Roots—strengthening the connections among our schools, families, member districts, and one another so that together we can create even greater opportunities for our students.

 

To our ECHO families and entire school community, welcome to a new school year! We are excited about what lies ahead, and we are grateful to have you on this journey with us.

 

Together, we remain Rooted in Purpose. Ready to Lead. Rising Together.