Dear Wildcat Community, 

As our summer break quickly draws to a close, I am happy to welcome everyone back for another exciting school year at Owen J. Roberts School District on Monday, August 25th! 

This is my 5th year as Superintendent at OJR and I am excited about the school year ahead of us! This year’s highlights include Full-Day Kindergarten for all of our students, revised Mission, Vision and Values statements, and a continued focus on our District Goals - student success, student wellbeing and infrastructure excellence.

A critical component of serving our community is ensuring that all of our students, families and staff feel welcome and valued. Last school year, we worked with families, students, community members, staff and administrations to revise our mission, vision, and core values statements and ensure they reflect our shared  commitment to student learning, sense of belonging and wellbeing. I’m proud of the work we did because I believe it not only reflects who we are as a community, but outlines everything we hope to be:

Owen J. Roberts School District’s Mission - To inspire every person in the OJR learning community to think critically, act compassionately, and achieve success within a culture of access, dignity, and belonging for all.

Owen J. Roberts School District’s Vision - We will be a learning community that embraces a growth mindset, engages in continuous innovation, celebrates each person’s uniqueness, and creates a culture of belonging for all.

Owen J. Roberts School District’s Values - Our values inspire us to become the best version of ourselves and serve as the foundation for our decision making. They include:

• Students First
• Authentic Relationships
• Belonging & Kindness
• Collaborative Approaches
• Multiple Perspectives
• Continuous Growth & Innovation

Throughout the school year, our mission, vision and values will be reflected in the actions we take to serve our students and our community. It cannot be emphasized enough that students are at the heart of everything we do. As such, it is imperative that not just our words but our actions reflect that truth.

Creating a culture of belonging is vital to reaching our students. This must be their school district, their educational home and we are charged with fostering a sense of ownership for them. You should fully expect that as we journey through the year together, our administrators, teachers and staff will be focused on our mission, vision and values as part of their meetings with all of you and your families.

Every student and staff member should feel valued and respected. They should be seen and heard and encouraged to share their perspectives. And without any hesitation, our students and staff should feel safe and supported. 

Based on the feedback we’ve received from staff and parents; we continue to head in the right direction and our shared bond is strong. However, we must never allow a sense of complacency to take hold in OJR. I want us to strive to always be better and put our best foot forward. 

I want to thank our amazing students, families, and staff for their ongoing support and commitment to making OJR an exceptional school community! I appreciate being a Wildcat and consider it my honor and privilege to serve as your superintendent. Have a safe and happy weekend, and I look forward to seeing everyone on Monday, August 25th! 

Sincerely, 

Dr. Will Stout

Superintendent