Dear RUSD Community,
Tomorrow, Thursday, April 2nd, I’m hosting my monthly Superintendent Chat on Zoom. If you can’t make it, a recording will be posted on our district website. I’m looking forward to sharing the latest district updates and answering your questions.
Join Zoom Meeting Here
ID: 82504832304
Phone +1 346-248-7799
Joining Instructions
Great News - Counselor at each school site next year - RUSD Increases counseling services across the district!
Thanks to Board support, we are happy to report that beginning in the fall of 2026, each school will have its own school counselor in addition to our amazing school psychologists. In addition to providing counseling support and guidance to our students and families, our school counselors will be key leaders in implementing our Wellness & Belonging Action Plan.
Potential November Facilities Bond and Initial Drawings
Valuable feedback from staff, students, and parents during our Strategic Planning sessions and Facilities Committee meetings shaped the ideas being considered for facility needs. Following those discussions, we conducted a community survey to gauge interest in those concepts. We were pleased to see general support from our community members. The community members noted how much they appreciate our staff, the education provided, and the importance of schools to the community. There was particular community interest in maintaining facilities.
Based on that input and what our three communities indicated they are most likely to support, architects have developed preliminary drawings to capture these early ideas. We are now sharing these concepts with staff, parents, and the wider community to continue the conversation and see if we can move the needle of support even higher before a May poll.
Here is a link to posters that contain some initial ideas.
I welcome any input, questions or thoughts you may have, feel free to email directly or stop me to talk when you see me.
The Board is expected to make a final decision in June regarding whether to officially place the bond on the November ballot.
Awards
It’s that time of year again, when our halls seem to glow a little brighter, laughter carries a bit farther, and gratitude is on everyone’s mind. Parents and members of our school community are invited to nominate the outstanding educators who make a difference every day. Those honored will be recognized at our Celebration of Education Awards reception on Wednesday, May 20th, where we’ll gather to share stories, offer heartfelt thanks, and celebrate the people who help our students thrive.
Parents, here is the link to nominate a teacher for the Phoebe Hearst Award. Please respond by Friday, April 17th.
Staff, here is the link to nominate one of your Peers for the Christine Carter Award or the Rotary Teacher of the Year Award. Please respond by Friday, April 17th.
No Food on Buses
Please help by reminding your students that food is not permitted on school buses. Recently, we have seen an increase in students bringing snacks and leaving food debris behind. This creates sanitation concerns. To help us keep buses clean, safe, and running on schedule, please remind your students not to eat food on the bus. We appreciate your partnership in helping maintain a clean, safe and respectful environment for all riders.
Inclusion & Belonging
In March, students explored stories that helped them better understand intellectual disabilities and the importance of inclusion, empathy, and belonging. Through books such as Different, Eli, Included, Up and Adam, and Hide and Ssh!, students met characters who navigate the world in unique ways and show how kindness, friendship, and understanding help everyone feel included and valued.
Students also learned from real voices and personal stories through books like My Life with Down Syndrome, Down Syndrome Out Loud, and Out of My Mind. These stories highlighted the experiences, perspectives, and strengths of individuals with intellectual disabilities and encouraged students to think about how everyone learns, communicates, and participates in different ways. Through these discussions, students reflected on how we can support one another and build communities where every person feels respected and included.
Here is a list of Disability Awareness books and resources
Here are some talking points and questions you can share with your child:
- What is something you learned about how people think, learn, or communicate differently?
- How did the characters show their strengths, even when things were challenging for them?
- What does it mean to be inclusive? Can you give an example from one of the stories?
- Did any part of the stories change how you think about people who learn or communicate differently? How?
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What is one way you can be a good friend to someone who might need extra support?
Kind regards,
Dr. Kimberly McGrath
Superintendent
Reed Union School District
"We are even stronger together!"
