The end . . .

It was a bittersweet evening. We celebrated the 21st graduation class from Maple Valley High School, our alternative program. At the same time we saw tonight the last class that will ever graduate from MVHS because we are closing the school. Tonight was the end of a program that has provided hundreds of young people with that piece of paper that provides them with so many more options than does not graduating. Unfortunately, our model did not provide for many of our students the opportunity to meet standard on the WASL, a requirement for graduation.

We will put in place next year a model that we believe is better positioned to meet the needs of these young people. That did not, however, make this last graduation feel any better. For me, seeing those kids on the stage and knowing we will not see it again was difficult to accept, but tonight truly was the end.

Thank you to Anne, Linda, Jennifer, Marcia, Abby, Mike, Leanne, and those that preceded them for the love and support that you and they have given these young people. Special thanks to Arlene for her leadership and commitment to the program, to the staff, and to the students.