As we approach the end of the academic year, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Pride in the Tiger board and generous donors. Their unwavering support has made a significant impact on our schools.

Recently, Pride in the Tiger approved over $45,000 in spring teacher impact grants for both public and private schools in our district. These grants empower our educators by providing funding for supplemental materials that enhance teaching and learning experiences. From field trips to specialized instructional items, these grants allow our teachers to offer additional experiences in their classrooms for our students.

As we bid farewell to this school year, we find ourselves amidst a flurry of activity and change. Our school sites are abuzz with state testing, hiring, and planning end-of-year celebrations. Meanwhile, our administrative office is working on several fronts:

• Professional Development Plans: We are committed to equipping our educators with the tools they need to excel. Our professional development plans aim to enhance teaching practices and foster continuous growth.

• Curriculum Reviews: Rigorous curriculum reviews ensure that our students receive the highest quality education. We evaluate existing programs and explore innovative approaches to meet the diverse needs of our learners.

• End of Year Surveys: Your feedback matters. We encourage all stakeholders — students, family, and staff — to participate in our end-of-year surveys. Your insights help us refine our practices and identify areas for improvement. Thank you to everyone who recently completed our surveys; the results will help us drive our planning for next year.

• Strategic Plan and Needs Assessments: Our strategic planning process involves assessing our district’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. By aligning our efforts with community needs, we chart a course for success. We’re gathering data from this year to help determine our areas of focus for next year.

As we approach the end of this academic year, I am excited to share some highlights from our schools. Our commitment to educational excellence and community involvement continues to shine brightly.

• Wax Museum Projects by 4th Grade Students: Our talented 4th graders are captivating audiences with their wax museum projects. These presentations involve students selecting a historical figure, reading a relevant book, and crafting a 2-5-minute speech. It’s so much fun to witness their dedication and creativity as they bring history to life.

• High Schoolers Reading to 4th Graders: Mrs. Eben’s high school class recently visited our 4th graders, sharing the joy of reading. Our younger students always relish these interactions, recognizing many of these high schoolers from athletic events and other community activities. It’s great to see these connections across grade levels.

• Spring Concerts: In the past month, our talented students at Southview took the stage for their annual spring concerts. Their hard work and dedication were evident, with several students even auditioning for solos. Kudos to our music teachers, Mrs. Haltvick and Mr. Trevino, for nurturing their musical talents on a daily basis.

• Officer Wilson’s Visit to Mr. Schmitt’s 8th Grade Classroom: Officer Wilson from the Marshall Police Department engaged with our 8th graders. Topics included responsible social media use, new driver responsibilities, and positive interactions with law enforcement. These conversations are crucial for a safe and healthy transition from adolescence to young adulthood.

• Rotary’s Thought-Provoking Questions for 6th Graders: Our 6th graders tackled the Four-Way Test posed by the Rotary: Is it the Truth?, Is it Fair?, Is it Beneficial to All?, Will it Build Goodwill and Better Friendships? They thoughtfully applied these principles to their lives and entered essays in a contest. Congratulations to our essay contest winners! 1st Place: Hailey Tallam, 2nd Place: Maria Jose, 3rd Place: Kelsey Cowden

• Statewide ACT Testing for Juniors: Over 200 juniors participated in the ACT during the school day. This marks the tenth year that the state has mandated schools to offer the ACT to students during regular school hours. We commend our juniors for their dedication and focus during this important assessment.

• The following MHS Juniors will receive recognition in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program: Ryan Botsford, Carter Gehrke, Jack Gunn, Liam Kruse, Ben Pafko, Mark Rabaey, and David Sturrock. Congratulations to all!

• All our High School and MATEC students attended a career fair at MHS on Thursday, April 11th. There were a number of local businesses in attendance to share information about their career field and possible job opportunities. It is a great lead into summer and possible summer employment for our students.

• Students in a CNA class had the opportunity to visit the SMSU virtual cadaver lab. They all talked about how great of an experience this was for them!

• Mark your calendars – The CEO Trade Show will be on Wednesday, May 22nd at the trū Shrimp Company in Balaton from 5:00 – 7:00 that evening. Beginning at 6:30, there will be a benefit auction where student’s products will be auctioned off by Silver Dollar Auction Company. The funds raised during the auction will be donated to the CEO Pipeline, which provides business funding to alumni of the CEO Program. The show will be in conjunction with a Chamber Business After Hours Event.

Thank you for being an integral part of our educational community. Together, we nurture bright minds, foster resilience, and ignite a passion for lifelong learning.

— Jeremy Williams is superintendent of Marshall Public Schools District