I am joining the Alliance family myself, and I am excited to get to know students, families and teachers. In my past work I have supported Career and Technical Education programs for both PPS and Reynolds High School. I began my career in education as an Art Teacher with Pioneer Special Schools and have alway felt an instant connection with the Alliance students and staff members because of my alternative education foundation.

It is hard to believe that we were gearing up to launch into our first ever start to a virtual school year in response to the COVID pandemic one year ago. We experienced a great deal of trials and tribulations as we adjusted to the new "normal" of living, working, and learning from home. As we sit here in August, we are poised to start another school year that does not look like the ones of years past. While we know our students will be back in building full time, but masked and with social distancing and health safety measures in place, our staff is committed to making sure students have the individualized learning opportunities needed to ensure safety and success. Please let us know if you or your student have any needs, questions, or concerns. Teachers will continue using Canvas as a resource for student flexibility.

For some, the reality we are faced with may be disappointing or frightening. For others, it may be that these moments leading up to the school year are filled with excitement as our young adult returns to five full days of instruction with the friends and teachers that they love. All of these feelings, in any combination, are completely understandable and normal. I too am in the thick of these as I work to plan to reopen our campuses and send my own two children off to school.