Welcome Back, Essrig Families!
Dear Essrig Families,
It is with great excitement and gratitude that I welcome you to the 2026–2027 school year at Essrig Elementary School!
Whether you are returning to our Panther family or joining us for the very first time, please know that we are thrilled to partner with you on this exciting journey of learning, growth, and achievement. At Essrig Elementary, we believe that every child has unlimited potential, and together we will work to ensure that each student is supported, challenged, and inspired to succeed.
Our vision remains clear: Preparing Panthers for Life. Every day, our dedicated teachers and staff are committed to creating a culture for learning that encourages and motivates all students to reach their highest individual potential. Through high expectations, meaningful relationships, and engaging learning experiences, we strive to help every child grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
This year, we continue our commitment to being a school where people come first. We know that students thrive when they feel safe, supported, valued, and connected. Our focus on cultivating both a Culture FOR Learning and a Culture OF Learning ensures that every child experiences a welcoming environment where curiosity is encouraged, effort is celebrated, and excellence is expected.
At Essrig, our work is grounded in the values that define who we are as a school community:
Respect for ourselves and others
Kindness in our words and actions
Grit and perseverance when faced with challenges
Growth mindset and continuous improvement
Collaboration between school, home, and community
Equity and opportunities for every child to succeed
These values guide our decisions, strengthen our relationships, and help us create an environment where all students can flourish.
We also recognize that family engagement is one of the most important factors in student success. Your partnership matters. We encourage you to stay connected through school communications, attend family events, participate in volunteer opportunities, and engage regularly with your child's teacher. Together, we can help our students develop a lifelong love of learning and achieve their personal best.
As we begin this new year, we are especially excited to continue expanding innovative opportunities for our students, including leadership development, global learning experiences, enrichment opportunities, and the continued growth of the Montessori Academy at Essrig Elementary. These opportunities help prepare our students not only for academic success but for success in life.
Our theme this year is:
Always Learning. Always Growing.
This simple phrase captures who we are as Panthers. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn. Every success is a reason to celebrate. Every day is a chance to grow stronger, wiser, and more confident than the day before.
Thank you for entrusting us with your most precious gift—your children. We are honored to serve this incredible community and look forward to building another successful year together.
Let's make the 2026–2027 school year our best year yet!
With Panther Pride,
Beverly D. Smith, M.Ed.
Principal
Essrig Elementary School
Preparing Panthers for Life
Always Learning. Always Growing.
