Welcome Back, McKenzie! The 2026–2027 school year is officially underway!

After a summer of planning, projects, and preparation, our students returned to McKenzie River Community School this week. There is nothing quite like the first morning of a new school year: buses arriving, students reconnecting with friends, teachers welcoming students, and hallways that have been quiet all summer suddenly coming back to life.

Throughout the summer, I shared some of the work that happens behind the scenes while students are away. We talked about enrollment, facilities, summer meals, attendance, registration, athletics, and the countless details our staff works on to prepare for a new year. Last week, our entire staff came together for in-service, putting the finishing touches in place before welcoming students back.

All of that work leads to this week, and having students back on campus makes it worthwhile.

The first week of school is important for reasons that go well beyond opening textbooks and beginning lessons. These first few days are about establishing relationships, learning routines, reconnecting with friends, meeting new classmates and teachers, and building the foundation for the months ahead.

For students, particularly those transitioning to a new grade level or building, the first few days can bring a mix of excitement and nervousness. Families can help by asking questions that go beyond, “How was school?” Try questions like, “What was something that made you laugh today?” “Who did you spend time with?” or “What are you looking forward to tomorrow?” Those conversations can help students process their experiences while giving families a better window into their school day.

This is also the time to establish habits that will carry students through the year.

One of the most important is attendance. As I shared earlier this summer, 66% of our students were regular attenders last year, meaning they attended at least 90% of school days. We want to see that number grow significantly this year. Unless students are ill or there is another reason they cannot attend, making school attendance the expectation from the very beginning gives students their best opportunity for success.

Routines at home matter, too. After a summer of later evenings and flexible mornings, returning to regular sleep schedules can take some adjustment. Preparing backpacks and clothes the night before, maintaining consistent bedtimes, and building predictable morning routines can make the transition easier for students and families alike.

Perhaps most importantly, we want every student to know that they belong at McKenzie.

One of the greatest strengths of a small school is our ability to know our students as individuals. Every child who walks through our doors brings different strengths, interests, experiences, and needs. Our responsibility extends beyond teaching academic content as we help students grow into the critical thinkers, effective communicators, and responsible citizens reflected in McKenzie’s Graduate Portrait.

That work starts with relationships, and parents and guardians are essential partners. If something isn't going well as we begin the year, please reach out early. You don't need to wait for a conference or report card. A small concern addressed through a conversation now is often much easier to resolve than one allowed to grow over time. And when something is going particularly well, we love hearing about that too!

There will be plenty to talk about in the weeks ahead: academics, activities, athletics, attendance, student accomplishments, and everything else that makes up life at McKenzie. For now, however, the message is simple.

To our returning students and families, welcome back. To those joining McKenzie for the first time, welcome to our community. And to our staff, families, and community members who spent the summer helping us reach this moment, thank you.

The 2026–2027 school year has begun, and we are excited to see where it takes us.

Have a great first week, McKenzie!