Superintendent Message
Dear Chewelah Parents and Students:
Welcome to the 2026-27 school year!
As I write this, I keep thinking back to the laughter and chatter echoing through Gess, Jenkins, and Quartzite hallways just a few months ago — and I can't wait to hear it again and see endless smiles. Summer always goes by faster than we'd like, but it also gives our staff time to rest, plan, and prepare for another great year together. Whether your family has been part of Chewelah for generations or you're joining us for the first time, we are genuinely glad you're here. Chewelah is a great place to live and educate your children.
This year, we continue with our focus and mission to educate each child each day. Everything below — from our first day back to the tips at the end of this letter — ties into that simple idea: small, consistent habits build big results for our kids.
A note of thanks. We're grateful for the dedicated work our maintenance and custodial staff have invested this summer before the first bell even rings. With Gess being turned upside down as the new HVAC system installed along with normal summer cleaning, it has been a stressful summer for many Chewelah team members. Gess has been taken apart and is being put back together. It won't be completely put back together by the time school begins. It won’t disrupt our plans to start the school year, but we do anticipate some inconveniences. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
This year, we continue with our focus and mission to educate each child each day. Everything below — from our first day back to the tips at the end of this letter — ties into that simple idea: small, consistent habits build big results for our kids.
A note of thanks. We're grateful for the dedicated work our maintenance and custodial staff have invested this summer before the first bell even rings. With Gess being turned upside down as the new HVAC system installed along with normal summer cleaning, it has been a stressful summer for many Chewelah team members. Gess has been taken apart and is being put back together. It won't be completely put back together by the time school begins. It won’t disrupt our plans to start the school year, but we do anticipate some inconveniences. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Key dates and information:
-First day of school: Tuesday, August 25 -Family BBQ: Gess Elementary, Thursday, August 20 at 5:30pm — come eat, meet your teachers, and reconnect with neighbors
-Open House: All schools, 5:30–7:00pm the same evening, August 20
-Meals: Breakfast and lunch remain free for all students this year
-The Student Showcase in the Park 2027 will be on May 25
-No student attendance on Monday, September 21 (teacher training).
-Construction update: Jenkins received new bleachers on the east side of the gym. This project was funded by the Capital Levy passed in 2024. A new storage unit was added to the gym. This was funded by the district's maintenance budget.
-A quick note on Guaranteed Standards and School Improvement Plans: these are simply our promise that every Chewelah student, in every classroom, leaves each grade with the skills they need for the next one. Full details will be posted on our website by October, and your principals and teachers are always happy to walk you through them.
- Preparing for a successful school year: It's completely normal for the first days back to bring a mix of excitement and nerves — for kids and parents alike. That's true every year, no matter how many "first days" we've all been through. A little planning now goes a long way in easing that transition.
Here are a few tips to help set the tone for a successful year:
* Start bedtime and wake-up routines a few days before school starts, so the first morning doesn't feel like a shock.
* Talk about school with excitement. What you say about learning shapes how your child feels about it — your attitude matters more than any single teacher's.
* Ask specific questions after school each day. Instead of "How was your day?" try "What's one thing you learned today?" or "Can I see something you worked on?"
* If your child struggles, resist doing the work for them. Offer support and ideas instead — real confidence comes from effort, not shortcuts.
* Praise effort and persistence, not just grades. Kids who are praised for hard work keep trying when things get difficult; kids praised only for being "smart" often give up sooner and feel more stressed.
We know this newsletter doesn't cover everything, and that's on purpose. We’ve kept it focused on what’s most important so you can read it from start to finish and feel ready for a great year ahead. If you have questions, please reach out. My door, our principals' doors, and our teachers' doors are always open — call us, message us through the website, or just stop by. Good communication begins with all of us asking questions and sharing our thoughts and ideas.
Here's to a wonderful year ahead, built one good routine at a time.
Warmly,
Jason Perrins
Superintendent
Superintendent Welcome Letter