Dear Pakanasink (PAK) Families,

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! We are beyond thrilled to welcome back our returning students and extend a warm, heartfelt welcome to all the new faces joining our Pakanasink school family this year. Whether you are returning to familiar hallways or stepping through our doors for the very first time, we are so glad you are here!

As we begin this exciting new year, we look forward to partnering with you to create meaningful learning experiences, build lasting relationships, and celebrate the many accomplishments of our students. Elementary school is such an important time in a child’s life, filled with opportunities to discover new interests, develop confidence, build friendships, and grow both academically and socially. We are honored to be part of each child’s journey.

Our Shared Journey: Lead with Heart

At Pakanasink, we are proud to continue building upon our strong commitment to Lead with Heart. Creating a caring, inclusive, and supportive environment remains at the center of everything we do. We believe that when children feel safe, valued, respected, and connected to their school community, they are better prepared to take risks, embrace challenges, and reach their full potential.

Throughout the year, we will continue to nurture kindness, empathy, perseverance, responsibility, and respect. We encourage our students to celebrate one another’s successes, learn from their mistakes, and understand that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference in someone’s day. Together, we can ensure that Pakanasink is a place where every child feels a true sense of belonging.

Our District Vision: Own Your Learning. Lead the World.

We are also excited to embrace our district’s inspiring vision: Own Your Learning. Lead the World.

This vision encourages students to take an active role in their education, ask questions, explore their interests, and develop the confidence to become independent thinkers and lifelong learners. Throughout the elementary years, students begin building the foundational skills, habits, and mindsets that will help them succeed in school and beyond.

Our teachers and staff will provide opportunities for students to take ownership of their learning, set goals, reflect on their progress, collaborate with others, and develop problem-solving skills. We want our students to understand that learning is a journey, that their voices matter, and that they have the power to make a positive impact on the world around them.

By combining our commitment to Lead with Heart with our district’s vision, we hope to inspire students to lead with kindness, approach challenges with confidence, and recognize the difference they can make in their classrooms, our school, and the greater community.

A Strong Partnership Between Home and School

We know that our greatest successes happen when families and schools work together. Your partnership, communication, and support play an essential role in helping your child feel confident, connected, and ready to learn. We encourage you to stay involved, ask questions, share your celebrations and concerns, and reach out whenever we can support your family.

Together, we can create a strong foundation that allows every student to thrive. We look forward to working alongside you as we celebrate milestones, navigate challenges, and cheer on our students every step of the way.

Staying Connected: The Gold Sheet

Communication between home and school is vital to student success. To help keep families informed about all the exciting things happening each month at both the building and district levels, we will continue sharing our monthly Gold Sheet.

The Gold Sheet will include important dates, school news, district initiatives, upcoming events, and activities happening at Pakanasink. It is a helpful resource for keeping your family informed and connected to our school community.

We will share the Gold Sheet at the beginning of each month through Google Classroom and ParentSquare for Grades PreK–5. We encourage you to review it regularly so you can stay up to date on important announcements, school celebrations, and opportunities for your child to participate in the many wonderful experiences we have planned.

Looking Ahead to a Wonderful Year

As we begin the 2026–2027 school year, we are filled with excitement and optimism for all that lies ahead. We look forward to seeing our students grow in confidence, discover their strengths, develop meaningful friendships, and achieve new goals. Most importantly, we want every child to know that they are an important part of our Pakanasink family and that we believe in their ability to learn, grow, and succeed.

Thank you for entrusting us with your children and for being such an important part of our school community. Your support makes a difference, and we are grateful to share this journey with you.

Let’s work together to make the 2026–2027 school year a year filled with kindness, curiosity, growth, and achievement. We cannot wait to see our students shine!

Lead with Heart. Own Your Learning. Lead the World.

Sincerely,

Brian Breheny
Principal