July 1, 2008

Dear Plainfield Community,

First, let me say how honored and humbled I am to serve as your Superintendent of Schools as we prepare to educate and uplift the children of Plainfield. Please know that as I commence and continue my tenure, the improvement of their learning and lives will serve as the primary focus of my work---a body of work I might add which will take a back seat to no one or nothing, and which is non-negotiable. In order for our District, and ultimately our children to succeed, the same focus must be reflected on the part of all stakeholders such as parents, educators, and members of the community. And yes, the students must also put their own shoulders to the wheel of their educational lives and futures in order to truly become the students and adults of which they are capable.

I sincerely appreciate and thank all of you for your warm welcome, as well as the many insights you have provided since my appointment in February. I am energized by the interest, spirit of support, and partnership already extended by those in and throughout the Plainfield community. The issue of educating and uplifting the children of Plainfield is not so much a question of resources as it is a question of will. Yes, we can always use and benefit from having “more.” But “more” will not suffice if we don’t have “enough” people that care, love, believe, and work hard enough toward educating children from those that are underachieving to those who have already experienced educational success. We have and know more than enough to ratchet up leading, teaching, and learning in our schools. I have already seen models of excellence upon which to build here in Plainfield.

What we must now develop and “shore up” is an uncompromising resolve, unabated desire, highly-focused plan of action, and consistent system of accountability for everyone. Such will provide a clear vision and pathway toward making Plainfield the school district it can become and one in which our children and community truly deserve and can take pride in. The challenge, however I am learning, is for us to move from focusing not so much on our District’s present obstacles and past problems, but on its current opportunities and future possibilities.

In closing, I openly challenge each and every one of you to focus your energy and efforts---your time, talents, and treasures, on those matters that will ultimately help improve a child’s ability to read, raise his or her sense of self-worth, solve the most complex of mathematical equations, compete at the highest level athletically, embrace and appreciate the arts, and most importantly, become a better human being.

Plainfield Public Schools---Yes, we will.

Sincerely,

Dr. Steve Gallon III
Superintendent of Schools