SUPER MONDAY

A motivational and informational morning message from Superintendent Willis

Week 39 ~ May 19th, 2025

Super Monday Message

Well, here we are at the last week of school. As we start summer I always have to say something about reading. Reading in the summer is not just important, it’s absolutely critical for kids. Preparation for the reading portion of the ACT starts in preschool and taking a full month off at any point can be detrimental. Reading is something we just have to be doing all the time, even as adults. I’ve listed before all the health and life benefits to being a reader. It is so good for kids to see adults reading and to hear adults talk about books with enthusiasm. We are never too old to stop reading or listening to books. Books take us to galaxies far far away, they take us back in time to witness historical events in our minds, they take us into a chemical reaction, they take us to new worlds, they take us everywhere we can imagine.

Whether you are reading the same book as your kids, reading a book with your kids, reading a book to your kids, having your kids read a book to you, listening to a book together in the car, it all helps. Have grandpa and grandma read to the kids, don’t turn on the radio or allow phones for the first 30 minutes in the car, hold dinner until the family has finished a chapter, do whatever you have to do to make reading an important part of your life. I think one sign that you’re on the right track is when receiving books becomes a reward and taking books away becomes a punishment.

One fun series of books that my kids occasionally pick up is about a curious monkey called George. You learn quickly that George is no ordinary monkey. In just the first three books written between 1941 and 1952 George escapes a cage, builds paper boats, rides a bike backwards and on one wheel, rides on top of a bus, escapes prison, washes restaurant dishes, takes a job as a window washer, delivers newspapers, and performs in a circus. He also gets in lots of trouble smoking a pipe, jumping off a boat, calling the fire department, stealing a red balloon, painting an apartment like a jungle, and breaking his leg. When the third book describes how George builds paper boats, it is a level of origami I have not reached yet.

When George learns lessons the quote comes up “George promised to be good. But it is easy for little monkeys to forget.” Our students are very bright and have great potential, but summer is long and sometimes they forget. So, in between all the crazy events they get to participate in through the summer, let’s make time to read.

Have the best week 39 and the best summer!

Super High Fives

Just a couple of the awesome recent accomplishments that need a big thank you. 

• A super hive five to our Utah Peak Academy staff getting through the first year of the new online school. Big thanks to Hunter Tanner, Paul James, Heather Fautin, Jennifer Finn, Natalie Remund, and Sarah Erickson.
• Super high five to Heather Fautin who reported to the board as the Special Education director last week. She is doing a great job and we appreciate her great work with our more vulnerable students. Big thanks to Kelcie Dastrup who also came to the board meeting to discuss Special Education progress at the high school.
• A super high five to the graduating class of 2025. They have represented Piute High School well in a variety of ways. We are excited to see all the ways they’ll make the world better.
• Super high fives to all students, staff, parents, and community for another great school year!

Other Super Information

• Latest Elementary School Design (CES) (OES)
• Spring Sports Calendar
• 2024-2025 School District Calendar
• 2025-2026 School District Calendar

Super Weekly Schedule