I am excited and honored to welcome you back to another school year filled with the promise for our continued success as a district.

This is yet another pivotal year for our district given the challenges, both predicable and unpredictable, that we will encounter along the way. Among the predictable are; the full opening of a new Haddam-Killingworth Middle School for all students in grades five through eight, the grade reconfiguration of all of our elementary school environments to serve students in grades kindergarten through four, establishing full day kindergarten as a program option for students, managing staff reassignments based upon the new school opening as well as the grade reconfiguration at the elementary level, commencing the preparatory work associated with the accreditation process of Haddam-Killingworth High School by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, fully implementing a standards-based grade reporting system in kindergarten through 8, implementing new student management software district-wide, integrating newly acquired technology into Haddam-Killingworth High School, and establishing a three-tiered transportation system serving elementary, middle and high school levels independent of one another.

While these challenges represent many of the significant tasks that lie before us, there are two which, for me, have more significant meaning than any of the others combined. One, we must continue to make a concerted, unified effort to ensure that we maintain a district that is known for excellence in teaching and learning. This excellence will naturally lead to our students improving on any standardized or non-standardized measure. Second, we must continue to develop relational trust in and among all of us so that we have the courage to take the risks associated with elevating our educational programs from being good to those that others wish to emulate. In order to nourish the further development of this relational trust, we must continue to create opportunities to have deep, meaningful dialogue about teaching and learning. While this may seem a bit obvious and simple in many ways, this dialogue is essential to our future success and the future successes of all of our children.

We have made great strides over the past few years because of the combined efforts of our students, parents, faculty and staff. If you are new to our district this year, you will reap the benefits of now being associated with a school district which has transformed itself in a very short period of time back to one that is recognized state-wide for excellence in public education. We have redefined who we are as a district by clarifying our purposes, we have developed relationships where they were once absent and we have gained a new level of respect for each other and our work. Most importantly, we continue to celebrate all that is good in our schools and to recognize the value in each and every person associated with them. Just as last year was a year where success was defined as our only option, this year proves to be one filled with the promise of us assisting with the realization of our dreams and the dreams we have for all children. In order to do this, we must be steadfast with understanding that the strength of our relationships continues to be the single most influential factor affecting our work. Remember always that our commonality lies in ensuring that teaching and learning leads to making the dreams of our children come true.

This year, our slogan will be "Committed to Making Dreams Come True." In thinking about what our slogan should be this year, I could not help but to be moved by the whole concept that our schools are really "dream factories." They are places where all children have the potential to make real things they once believed could only exist in their minds. I ask you to stand committed with me to making our dreams and the dreams of others come true. Remember always that "all our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." (Walt Disney).

As I begin my fourth year as your Superintendent, I am excited about the endless possibilities that come with this new school year. I am forever appreciative for having the opportunity to lead our district’s efforts.

I wish you good health and happiness as we continue our work together.

I remain.
Very truly yours,

Gary S. Mala
Superintendent of Schools