Sharing Reflections on the 2025-26 School year

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students,

As we move deeper into the school year, we want to take a moment to reflect on all that’s already been accomplished and to share how we are building on the strong foundation we’ve laid together in these first few weeks.

From your thoughtful conversations at home to the energy students bring into our classrooms each day, it’s clear that our school community is growing in both purpose and connection. Thank you for your continued support, encouragement, and trust it truly shapes the environment in which our students learn and thrive.

Over these past weeks, we’ve listened to students, to teachers, and to many of you. Here’s what we’ve learned and how we’re responding:

What We’ve Heard:

· Students are eager but sometimes overwhelmed as they balance academic, social, and personal expectations.

· Parents are looking for tools and insights to better support their children as they navigate new responsibilities and challenges.

· Many families and students value clear communication and appreciate it when we share not just what’s happening, but why it matters.

How We’re Responding:

· We are increasing intentional support for students from structured check-ins during advisory to targeted academic support and wellness practices integrated into the school day.

· We’re investing in more collaborative learning opportunities so students not only engage with the content, but also learn how to listen, lead, and work together effectively.

· We’re deepening our communication with you, including more frequent updates about learning goals, upcoming projects, and strategies you can use at home to support growth.

What’s Next:

· As students move into richer content and more complex projects, our focus is expanding from simply adjusting to the school year to truly owning the learning process. We are helping students:

· Set meaningful goals and reflect on their progress

· Practice perseverance in the face of setbacks

· Develop strong organizational habits and time management

· Build empathy and leadership through collaboration

We’re also working with teachers to reinforce these skills across all subjects not just in what we teach, but how we teach.

How You Can Stay Engaged:

· We remain partners in this journey, and your involvement continues to be a powerful force in your child’s development.

· Here are a few ways to stay engaged:

· Ask deeper questions: Try asking “What did you learn about yourself today?” or “What’s one challenge you handled better this week?”

· Share your own learning: Let your child see that learning and growth are lifelong. Share stories of your own challenges and how you worked through them.

· Attend upcoming events: Keep an eye out for opportunities to visit, volunteer, or connect these moments help us build a stronger, more unified community.

At the heart of everything we do is the belief that students are capable, resilient, and full of potential and that with the right guidance and support, they can rise to every challenge. Thank you for being a vital part of that journey.

We look forward to the continued growth, questions, and breakthroughs ahead and as always, we’re here to support you and your child every step of the way.

With gratitude and partnership,

Chad Wahls, Superintendent

Note: This message was placed on the New London Community School Facebook page. It is an important message to the New London community as well as parents, guardians and students. The community is a strong supporter of the school and its attention to school goals and its engagement in school activities is very important.