Pekin CSD - Packwood, Iowa

From Mr. Hatfield, Superintendent of School 

I am excited to welcome everyone back for the start of the 2021 - 2022 school year and hope
you had an enjoyable summer. A special welcome to the students and families who are new to
the district and to students who might be returning to in-person learning after some
accommodations. The district is happy to serve you! The first day of school for the Pekin
Community School District is Thursday, August 26, 2021. 

It's been a joy getting to meet so many dedicated, caring citizens, business leaders, county
officials, board members, administrators, teachers and staff members. I'm truly excited to
finally get to meet all of you - our great students! I thank Mr. Harper, our Board of Directors and
district leaders for all of their support.

There is much for you (our students) to be excited about as we return to in-person learning on Thursday, August 26th. Our maintenance and grounds crew have worked hard all
summer preparing the classrooms, schools, and district grounds. Mr. Babcock and his student
helpers have re-imaged and cleaned all laptops for students to receive at the beginning of the
school year.

As Superintendent my passion has always been to do "whatever it takes" to help students feel
safe and supported. Students, our staff recognizes that you have a voice, the right to feel
accepted for who you are and the right to be listened to. The staff has a track record of
treating all students with care and respect. We believe that each of you has special gifts and
talents. We will strive to personalize your learning experiences by adding choice and new ways
that you can demonstrate your learning.

District leadership will focus on four positive culture values designed to focus our
commitment and support to students. We want all staff to:

1. Be Champions for all Students
2. Expect Excellence (not perfection) from Each Other
3. Carry the Banner for the School and
4. Be Merchants of Hope

We hope our students will adopt these as well. Our staff will have few expectations and goals

for you: 

1. Show up prepared and ready to learn. 
2. Remember that you are part of something bigger than yourself. 
3. Use kindness and refrain from bullying and harassing language and behavior. 
4. Study, ask questions, accept academic challenges and take charge of your learning, and
5. Get involved!

Students, please know that our staff will continue to work on our environments that help
students grow intellectually, emotionally and socially. It is critical that you (our students)
graduate from high school with the skills necessary to pursue and achieve their goals and

dreams. We also know that our schools must change if want our students prepared to meet
the tech-driven employment and life-success skill and demands in the future. 

We are aware that there are still concerns regarding in-person learning. State and county
guidelines are being vetted continually. I am encouraging you to wear a face mask if you feel it
is right for you. If your family feels it is the right thing to do, let your teacher/s know. They will
assist in helping you and your family with that decision. It might be the safest thing to
do. Having shared this, our return-to-learn plan is as follows:

2021 - 2022 Return to Learn Plan

• The district will plan to follow the Board Approved School Calendar for 2021-2022 School Year!
• The district will plan to provide in-person instruction for each scheduled school day. 
• Face coverings (face masks) are not required at this time. 
• The district will continue with increased sanitation measures. 

Finally, I am very excited to serve as your Superintendent. I look forward to meeting and getting to know as many of you as possible! Please don't hesitate to stop and say "hello" and share your name with me multiple times. I promise to get it down over time!

Mr. Hatfield
Go Panthers!