September 30, 2020
Greetings Cardinal,
By the time you read this, we will be finishing up week 6 of the 2020-2021 school year, and let me say it has been great to have all of our remarkable Cardinals back in the building. Even in the middle of what we have come to know as the COVID-19 pandemic, our students, staff, and teachers are showing up full of Cardinal Pride. Even though things look different in how we are operating daily within the building and navigating school-wide events (i.e., sporting events, student celebrations, and class parties), we are in school, and students are learning. This, in itself, is a fantastic feeling and needs to be celebrated as a significant #CardinalVictory.
In reflecting on the preparations that have gone into this school year, it would be neglectful if I didn’t thank our staff members, teachers, and board of education for all they have done and continue to do to ensure our students are safe and able to learn. The time and effort that everyone is putting into our school are unmeasurable. Our staff members have taken on many new tasks to allow our students and teachers the best learning environment possible. Teachers are working tirelessly to adapt to new ways of delivering instruction to students present in and out of the building and are showing up daily full of the needed energy to motivate our students to put forth their best effort. Our board of education has provided the steady leadership needed to work through difficult times and situations. I also want to recognize the incredible support our district has and is continuing to receive from our DeKalb County Commissioners and the Tri-County Health Department. These two fantastic groups have been 100% in support of our school and have been nothing but excellent partners. We, as members of the Stewartsville School Community, need to be thankful for all the work that our staff, teachers, county commissioners, and health department officials have done on behalf of our students. It is truly remarkable how, even in such uncertainty, our community has been able to work together to do what is best for our students.
In closing, even while it is fair to say that our school district is not immune to COVID-19, we have most definitely not lost focus on our district mission of, Developing The Cardinal Community as Lifelong Learners #TheCardinalWay.
As always, do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. I am here to serve our students and you as members of the Cardinal community.
We look forward to seeing you at #TheNest.
Michael Stephenson, Superintendent
816-669-3792 mstephenson@stewartsville.k12.mo.us