Summer at McKenzie: Preparing for a New School Year

After a summer of planning, projects, registration, and preparation, we have reached one of my favorite weeks of the year, in-service week. Our staff is back together, classrooms are coming to life, and in just a few days our students will return to begin the 2026–2027 school year.

Throughout our Summer at McKenzie series, I have tried to provide a glimpse behind the scenes at the work that happens while students are away. In-service week is when many of those individual pieces finally come together.

This week isn’t simply about getting classrooms ready. It is our opportunity to bring the entire McKenzie team together around the most important question we can ask: How can we best serve our students this year?

Our staff will spend the week learning, collaborating, planning, and preparing. Some of that work involves required training and the operational pieces necessary to safely open school. Just as importantly, we will spend time together focused on teaching and learning, strengthening our systems of student support, reviewing assessment and instructional practices, and establishing shared priorities for the year ahead.

In a small district, collaboration is especially important. Every member of our team has an impact on students. Teachers and educational assistants support learning in classrooms. Bus drivers are often the first and last district employees students see each day. Nutrition Services makes sure students are fueled and ready to learn. Our office, facilities, technology, health services, and administrative staff each contribute to creating an environment where students can be successful.

In-service week gives us the opportunity to bring all of those people together before the pace of the school year begins. It is also a time to reconnect. Schools are fundamentally about relationships, and strong relationships among colleagues allow us to communicate better, solve problems together, and provide more consistent support for students and families.

On Thursday evening, August 27, that circle expands as we welcome students and families back to campus for Meet the Teacher Night. We are excited to see familiar faces, welcome new families, visit classrooms, and begin rebuilding the daily connections that make McKenzie such a special community.

Then, on Saturday, August 29, fall sports officially move from practices to competition with a full day of McKenzie Eagles action at home. Our football team kicks off the season against Ione/Arlington at 1:00 p.m.

At 2:00 p.m., our volleyball team begins a four team round robin tournament with Falls City, Jewel, and Yoncalla. McKenzie will face Falls City at 2:00 p.m., Jewel at 3:30 p.m., and Yoncalla at 5:00 p.m. With football and volleyball both competing at home, it should be a great Saturday to come out, wear your green and gold, and support our student-athletes as they begin their seasons.

Finally, on Monday, August 31, all of the preparation becomes reality.

Buses will roll down the valley. Breakfast will be served. Classrooms will fill. Friends will reconnect. Teachers will begin new lessons. And the quiet hallways of summer will once again sound like a school.

Families can help make these final days before school successful by returning to consistent bedtime and morning routines, making sure registration and transportation information is current, and talking with students about what they are looking forward to this year. Most importantly, help us establish the habit of regular attendance beginning on the very first day. Every day is an opportunity to learn, build relationships, and participate in the life of our school.

There will undoubtedly be challenges during the year ahead. There will also be accomplishments we haven’t imagined yet. Students will discover new interests, master difficult skills, compete, perform, lead, create, and grow. That’s what makes the beginning of a school year so exciting—we know where we’re starting, but we don’t yet know all of the places our students will take us.

To our staff: thank you for the work you have already put into preparing for this year and for the energy you bring back to campus this week.

To our students and families: we’re ready for you.

Join us Thursday evening for Meet the Teacher Night, come out Saturday to cheer on the Eagles, and we’ll see everyone Monday morning for the first day of the 2026–2027 school year!