From the Superintendent: Last Day of School!

Dear Clarkston Community Schools Families,

Excitement and anticipation abound as we close this historic school year. How far we have come! For those of you who are parents of our 600 members of the Clarkston Class of 2021, this summer will no doubt be a little bittersweet as your child prepares for his or her next step in life. You may not be ready, but they are. Each year, CHS and RHS send a new class of graduates off to fulfill their dreams in college, the military, the workforce, and in life. While it’s always hard to say goodbye, we’re excited to see our graduates go out into the world to pursue successful futures. Our graduates will attend 80 different colleges and universities in 21 different states (and three different countries)! Among this group, there are also military signees in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines as well as apprentices in the skilled trades who got their start in our Career & Technical Education programs. 

As CHS Senior Speaker Brooke Larkin said at Monday’s Commencement  “I'm looking at future politicians, future professional athletes, fashion designers, entrepreneurs, CEOs, you name it. I'm looking at a whole lot of potential — potential is powerful.” 

Clarkston kids are all capable of great things and have so much to offer. This year, our students and staff demonstrated an enormous amount of resilience and fortitude. We persevered through tough times, supported one another, and proved that together, we can do so much. 

Now, we look forward. 

We look forward to elevating academic achievement across the district, developing our students’ potential, and meeting the needs of all learners with individualized systems of support. We look forward to increased staff development around differentiated instruction in order to challenge all students to achieve his or her personal best. 

We look forward to a return to school in the fall with no masks, no social distancing, no recess cohorting, and no endless circling of the halls between periods. (Sorry kids, handwashing is still a thing.) We look forward to assemblies, field trips, class parties, and other opportunities to welcome parents, grandparents, and guests back into our buildings.  

Lastly, we look forward to starting a new year, greeting our students “human-to-human,” and recognizing their unique talents, minds, and hearts. Potential is powerful, especially when that potential is backed by a supportive school community in which educators and parents are in partnership. 

It’s been my pleasure partnering with you this year. I wish your family a safe and happy summer!

Sincerely,

Dr. Shawn Ryan
Superintendent of Schools

Last Day of School Photo Gallery

About Clarkston Community Schools: Clarkston is a highly regarded school district with an enrollment of nearly 7,100 students. We have seven elementary schools (K-5), one middle school serving grades 6-7, one junior high for grades 8-9, and Clarkston High School, which serves students in grades 10-12. We also have a virtual academy, an Early Childhood Center serving children ages 3-5, and an alternative high school/community education facility. Clarkston Community Schools students are well-prepared for a future that excites them, and believe that they can achieve their dreams. The mission of Clarkston Community Schools is to create a learning environment where students, staff, and families are challenged, healthy, engaged, safe, and supported.

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Read more Clarkston Community Schools News at www.clarkston.k12.mi.us/news.

Questions or Feedback? Email feedback@clarkston.k12.mi.us

Media Contact: Mary Ellen Rowe, Director of Marketing and Community Relations (248) 623-5460.

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