The power of positivity

By JOSH MCDONALD

Staff Reporter

KELLOGG — The Kellogg School District wrapped up their first week of school last week, but unlike the last few years, this new year has a different feel to it — and many people believe that the change in leadership has a lot to do with it — armed with a new motto, some new staff, and a leader who is pushing as much positivity as she can into the Kellogg School District.

Nancy Larsen has been working hard to create a culture change that would get the school into calmer waters after a tumultuous end to last year, something she realized needed to be addressed right out of the gate.

“It has been one of my first goals,” Larsen said of the culture change. “It was intentional and based upon data I collected at the end of the school year. The data told me there needed to be work toward healing in our schools and community.”

As she was working to develop this relationship between the schools and the community, Larsen began working at building trust amongst her staff.

She, along with the VISTA volunteers, hosted the KSD’s back-to-school presentation and dinner, where they honored the staff for a full night and allowed staff to interact with one another in a positive environment prior to the beginning of the school year.

With a staff-voted motto of, “Our Students, Our Schools, Our Community. KSD Pride,” the district is going all in on making district a more positive place for everyone.

Many teachers, parents, and others have expressed their noticing of this positive atmosphere to Larsen, who is pleased to see the fruits of everyone’s labor in rehabilitating the district’s image.

“I, too, have felt the positive energy,” Larsen said. “So many staff members have expressed a new optimism after our back to school dinner. And, when I visit schools I also feel it. So, as I go out and visit with staffs, it’s been my message.”

Although the back-to-school presentation and dinner were the two major events, there are many other smaller events taking place throughout the year.

Larsen has also created a bi-weekly newsletter that she will put out called the Sup News, as well as hosting an informal Walk and Talk event with her each week in the Kellogg School District Community Center gymnasium.