Good Afternoon Dragon Families,
Welcome back to a great new school year! We are so excited to kick off the 2024-2025 school year. We have many new faces and initiatives that will make this school year fantastic and memorable. Our goal is to give all our students a meaningful journey and learning experience. As always, we will be focused on relationships over the content during our first four weeks of school. Research shows that a connection at school dramatically increases the likelihood of a successful school experience. We are committed to this success and look forward to a great year with you.
Here are some SCCS updates:
•All principals and secretaries are back in the buildings. The principals are on retreat next Monday through Wednesday, so please email them if you need to contact them. They check their emails daily. You can also call the office to discuss general questions with the secretary. Classroom placement letters will be coming home shortly.
•Our first student day back is Wednesday, August 21st. It is a half-day in the afternoon. Please check the district website under "District: School Hours" for each building's official start and end times. We are so excited to have students back.
•This November, SCCS will present a crucial $38.8 million ZERO-TAX-RATE increase bond proposal on the ballot. The bond projects, which aim to bolster safety and security, upgrade learning environments, enhance classroom technology, and renovate building interiors and exteriors, are vital for our school's future. The bond proposal, which will not increase the current tax rate, will only extend the 2018 bond for two additional years. Please mark November 5th on your calendar as a reminder to cast your vote. Next week, I will share the FAQ, Press Release, and Feedback QR code for your reference.
We have had a busy summer hiring season. If you or a friend are interested, we still have many support staff openings. It is a great place to work! If you are considering joining the Dragon family, please call 810-591-2300 for more information.
Please see the list of our current principals at each school building:
Swartz Creek High School
Jamie Dammann, Principal
Josh Attwood, Assistant Principal
Amy Hart, Assistant Principal
Adrian Trzebiatowski, Athletic Director / Assistant Principal
Swartz Creek Middle School
Dave Simonsen, Principal
RJ Kaplan, Assistant Principal
Theresa Anderson, Assistant Principal
Dieck Elementary
Heather Briggs, Principal
Elms Road Elementary
Shauntel Manning, Principal
Gaines Elementary
Michelle Paul, Curriculum Director and Principal
Morrish Elementary
Jaclyn Thompson, Principal
Syring Elementary
Brandie Bevel, Principal
Swartz Creek VLC
Kevin Klaeren, Executive Director of Compliance and Safety
Swartz Creek Little Dragons
Amanda Bendall, Early Childhood Coordinator
Again, we are thrilled to start the year. Please contact your building principal or secretary if you have any specific questions or concerns about the start of school. They have all been working tirelessly to prepare for a great year. We are all here to make school an exciting, enjoyable, and safe place to learn and grow.
We are eagerly looking forward to a great first week of school! Let's make it memorable and full of learning and fun!
Rodney R. Hetherton, Superintendent
🌟Swartz Creek Schools Celebrates Mr. Jim Fuller as Teacher of the Year!🌟
We are incredibly proud to announce that Mr. Jim Fuller has been named the Teacher of the Year! Mr. Fuller, who teaches both law and construction trades classes at our high school, continuously goes above and beyond to enrich our students' educational experiences. His dedication, creativity, and genuine care for his students make him a cornerstone of our educational community.
Here's what some of the people who nominated him had to say:
“Mr. Fuller is one of the most unique and interesting people I have met. He knows something about everything! He is calm and inviting, ready to talk to anyone, and always in a good mood. He inspires his students, and while the technology he utilizes may be old, he can connect with and engage them. He brings content to life in a real-world context. He strives to introduce students to unique experiences that support the curriculum and learning like Mock Trial and visits to the prison and morgue. He is exactly what a district would hope to provide to high school students. Truly a remarkable and caring person and a highly effective and impactful teacher. I highly recommend Mr. Fuller for the title of SCCS Teacher of the Year."
“Mr. Fuller teaches two subjects that students can take the skills with them directly into their adult lives. Everyone should know their rights so they do not get trampled by the law and having hands-on skills to build and problem-solve within the trades is highly important for those wanting to do that for their career and for their own homes in the future. On top of the subjects he teaches, Mr. Fuller genuinely cares about his students and wants them to do well regardless of their past. Students that have been known to have problem behaviors in other classes find leadership roles within the ones he offers, and it truly takes a remarkable educator to be able to inspire students the ways that he does. As a former student and now colleague of his, I can say first hand he inspired me to take my education seriously."
“He is extremely kind to all of his students, and makes his class fun and entertaining. Every day he has a good positive attitude and never fails to make the class laugh, and have an enjoyable lesson. On top of that, he is a great teacher! He made the lessons understandable and engaging for everyone and will always help out when you need it. He really is great at what he does and I loved having his Law class, every student I have ever talked to has always had something positive to say, and he is definitely loved within the student body."
Swartz Creek Schools is immensely grateful to have such a dedicated and inspiring teacher. Thank you, Mr. Fuller, for your unwavering commitment to our students and community. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! 🎉
#TeacherOfTheYear #Congratulations
