February is a month to celebrate many cultural and/or historical traditions. Black History Month, President’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Lunar New Year (Year of the Monkey), Mexico’s Constitution Day, Japan’s National Foundation Day are just a few and there are many more. This past week there were many things to celebrate on San Juan Island, Knowledge Bowl (a 22 year tradition), the Capital Technology Levy that passed overwhelmingly with our voters and the Boys and Girls Basketball teams won their initial playoff games. Lastly, as a district, we met with Skagit Valley College and Northwest Technical Academy to explore collaboration opportunities.

I would like to say thank you. I appreciate how the community supports our students and teachers! As I have said before and will say over and over again, it is a blessing to live, work and learn in Friday Harbor. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve.

We have many exciting things happening in March. We are creating a STEM leadership team to give the district strategic direction. More good news is that we have been selected by the Pacific Education Institute for Field STEM professional development. Our C.T.E. Director Derek Smith and Elementary Principal Diane Ball will be the first to attend the training. The Arts Leadership team will meet to develop strategic direction for the district. At the end of March, we work with focus groups for our strategic planning process. I am looking forward to learning from you how I may better serve you and how we can work together to move the district forward.

I would like to thank the Capital and Technology Levy committee, the school board, principals, teachers, students and parents for their support of our children and their education.  And, one more time, Thank you so much to the entire community.

Kind regards,

Danna Diaz Superintendent, SJISD