Superintendent's Update: Reflecting on the Best of 2022-23 School Year 6.21.23

Dear Monrovia Community:
 
Now that the 2022-23 school year has officially ended and summer is here, together with the Board of Education, I would like to thank all of you for your support of our teachers, staff, and schools.  For all of us, the summer months represent a precious opportunity to take a deep breath, unwind, recharge, and spend time with those we love.   For me, this is the perfect time to reflect on the accomplishments that have been made while thinking about how to build upon them for the upcoming school year, which is just eight weeks away.
 
Below, I am proud to share some of my favorite moments from 2022-23.  It was not easy to choose them as there are so many!
Looking forward, our district’s recently completed Strategic Plan will now serve as the framework for the work we will engage in across our schools in each classroom through 2030.  The Strategic Plan builds upon the foundation of the new Mission, Vision, Core Values, and Focus Areas I worked with the Board of Education to create last school year.  Central to the Strategic Plan is the Learner Profile which describes what we strive to instill in every student and the corresponding “Learning Model.”  Also included are goals and objectives for each Focus Area.  
 
More than 40 stakeholders, including teachers, staff, students, parents, and community members, worked collaboratively to develop this plan for over a year.  I am grateful to Board Vice-President Anderson and Board Member Travanti for participating in that process as well as Deputy Superintendent Greg Francois and our colleagues from the Learner-Centered Collaborative for facilitating it.  To read the plan in its entirety, click here.
 
As you can see, we have so much to be proud of and look forward to!   I wish you and your families a restful and joyful summer.  I look forward to seeing you all in August when we kick off the 2023-24 school year.
 
Sincerely,
 
Ryan D. Smith, Ed.D.
Superintendent