August 18, 2022

I hope this letter finds you well and that you are enjoying this summer sunshine! Here are a few updates as we get ready to welcome our students back to school for the 2022-2023 school year.

Teaching, Learning, and Leadership Initiatives
As we continue efforts to streamline our work, your District’s Teaching, Learning, and Leadership Department has set the following Goals for 2022-23:  a) Equity Centered Instructional Leadership, b) Organizational Alignment: Clear roles, responsibilities, relationships, and c) Continuous Improvement using Data Based Decision Making. These goals align well to our ongoing Strategic Plan, MTSS, and Equity work.  One key area of focus this year is the implementation of our K-5 reading adoption.

Construction Projects
The construction projects on our schools continue. The completion of “Old Main” at the high school is on schedule and will be ready for the arrival of students. We are in the process of planning a ribbon cutting ceremony combined with a centennial celebration to commemorate the 100th year of the “Old Main” building. This event is scheduled for Wednesday, September 28th at 5:00 p.m.
 
The District will begin work on the LaVenture Middle School classroom addition with a slight change to the original schedule. This timeline change was a result of wetlands near the school that needed to remain. The architects and construction team worked with City government to ensure continued use of the current playfield on the east side of campus. The classrooms will be constructed on the southwest section of campus, with space made available through some minor modifications in parking access. Anticipated groundbreaking will occur Spring of 2023 and should conclude approximately mid-November, 2023.

Leadership Changes
We have several administrators and staff in new roles. Some are new to the area, others are seasoned employees taking on the challenges of new opportunities. Among these are Susan Husband, Interim Principal and Madison Wolter, Assistant Principal at Madison Elementary; Ashleigh Moe, Interim Principal and Colleen Beatty, Interim Assistant Principal at Little Mountain Elementary; and LeAnne Pumly, Interim Principal and Heath Tayon, Interim Assistant Principal at Mount Baker Middle School; and Denelle DeVries, Assistant Principal at Aspire and Skagit Academy. New to the district are Dr. Colette Roche, Principal at Mount Vernon High School and Dr. Kate O’Brien, Assistant Superintendent, Teaching, Learning & Leadership.  Additionally, Brien Reed joins the Assistant Principal team at the high school, and Chris Oliver will again be at the high school with the closure of MVHS-South Campus. Capital Projects remains housed at Lincoln. 

All Staff Kick Off
We look forward to seeing you at the All Staff Kick Off on Thursday, September 1 at 9:00 a.m. in the MVHS gym. The Marching and Mariachi Bands will greet you in true Bulldog fashion starting at 8:30 a.m. With all of you there, I know that our ‘Mission is Possible’ to improve the quality of life for all our students!!

Employee Recognition
Mount Vernon School District is the proud recipient of another “NWESD Regional Classified Employee of the Year” award. Veronica Gonzalez, Multilingual Family Liaison at Mount Vernon High School, has received the NWESD Regional Classified Employee of the Year 2022 award. She will now move to the state competition. Congratulations Veronica!!  

Please let us know if you have recognitions or celebrations you would like us to highlight as we move throughout the school year.  That’s all for now. Enjoy the remaining days of summer. I look forward to seeing all of you on September 1st at the high school gym at 9:00 a.m.  (remember, earlier if you want to enjoy a rousing band welcome!)

Sincerely,

Ismael Vivanco
Superintendent