Superintendent's Message for September 2019

September has arrived in Timberwolves Territory and our school year is off and running.  We have so many great things happening in our district! We kicked off the year with giving every staff member and student a new #twolvesterritory shirt.  This shirt symbolizes us all coming together and making Southwest Valley Schools the “Destination District,” we want it to become.  

We have welcomed twenty-two new staff members, two new principal’s, and a new early childhood center director.  The large turnover would be concerning if we weren’t trying to build a new culture and raise our expectations for our staff and students.  We have the right people in place now and are ready to take off as a district. Anthony Donahoo is leading the High School this year and has created a warming environment with his theme “back to the basics.”  Alaina Lundgren has taken over at Enarson Elementary and has been a trooper leading a building that has only access to one side of the building as we endure some construction this fall. She has taken off and has led their theme, “under construction.”  Allison Thomas has returned for her second year as Corning Elementary principal and is building on the positive culture she created in year one. Their theme is “Oh the Places You’ll Go.” Lora Top has switched gears at my request and will focus her talents at SWV Middle School this year.  Lora has done a great job connecting with the students and staff with the theme, “Waves of Greatness”. Abbey Schafer has been hired as the new director at SWV Early Childhood Education Center. The ECEC has partnered with Hearts and Hugs daycare and have created a new culture. We are excited about the opportunity of educating our students from newborn to twelfth grade!

The construction has begun on the Enarson Elementary HVAC system and we should have the north side done by the end of November.  Then we will be getting bids to do Phase 2, 3, and 4 in the spring and summer of 2020. This project will be replacing HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and roofs at both Enarson and Southwest Valley Middle School.  This project is being paid for by the bond referendum that was passed last April.  

On the east campus at Southwest Valley High School we are getting ready to break ground on a state of the art greenhouse classroom.  This classroom will be located on the footprint of the old middle school building. Classes will grow plants and produce in this facility to sell to the patrons of our district.  We are also looking to partner with local businesses to sell the produce too. 

Homecoming is coming up on September 20th and Twolves will do battle with Clarinda at the stadium.  School will be dismissed at noon on the 20th, and families are encouraged to attend the parade together and enjoy the activities in downtown Corning.  We know there will be a lot of alumni back and we encourage you to visit the schools while you're back! 

Have a Great September!!

Chris Fenster, Superintendent