Dear Cardinal Families,

Welcome to the 2024-25 school year! Our theme for this school year is BELIEVE!  This theme revolves around encouraging students to have confidence in themselves, their abilities, and the supportive community around them. We motivate our students to set and pursue their own dreams and goals. By believing in their potential, students are more likely to take on challenges and strive for success. We also emphasize the importance of maintaining a positive attitude. Believing that good things will happen can help students approach situations with optimism and resilience. Finally, we teach students to believe in the value of each individual, promoting inclusivity, respect, and understanding within the school environment. Our goal is to create a positive, nurturing, and inspiring school culture that makes room for our students to be the best versions of themselves.

At Shady Grove, we have had a House system for five years and have worked hard to incorporate our house system into our school climate.  This year, we are excited to implement four, national Houses that were created by the Ron Clark Academy. Every student and staff member belong to a House.  Our Houses provide additional opportunities for our students to connect to adults and students outside of their classroom.  Our school crest represents our whole school community, and our school motto is 4 Houses, 1 Family. Our Houses are the foundation of our school culture and are incorporated in every aspect of our school day. More information about our Houses can be found here.

As we focus on teaching life ready skills and building a culture of belonging, we have some underlying expectations that create the foundation of our environment.  We refer to this as the Cardinal Way:

1. We are family.

2. When responding to adults, use ma’am and sir. Say please, thank you, excuse me, and I’m sorry.

3. When someone greets you, greet them back using their name. When meeting someone new, use a firm handshake and repeat their name.

4. If a classmate wins a game or does something well, congratulate them. If you win, don’t brag. If you lose, don’t get angry.

5. Do not ask for a reward. If you ask, none will be given.

6. When work is assigned by your teacher, do not moan or complain.

7. Clean up after yourself.

8. Be respectful during assemblies and for guest speakers. Do not try to get the attention of others.

9. Greet visitors and make them feel welcome. Do the same for new students.

10. Be positive, enjoy life, and strive to be the best version of yourself!

In addition to the Cardinal Way, we hold our students accountable for four core values which we refer to as the Cardinal Creed:  

• I strive for excellence through hard work and determination.

• I value friendship by being kind, helpful, and caring.

• I show courage by taking risks and standing up for what is right.

• I show leadership by making my school and community better.

When demonstrating these core values, students will earn individual and house points which will be turned in for a variety of incentives.  This school-wide positive reinforcement system will give our Cardinals the structure and motivation needed to achieve and succeed.

Other members of our administrative team are Laila Marshall, Associate Principal,  and Kelly Verity, Student Support Teacher.  These women are exceptional leaders who are ready to support all of our stakeholders.  The Shady Grove administrative team is all in, all day, every day.

While our school has always been a place of learning, growth, and community, we have the opportunity to take our school culture to the next level. We look forward to continuing our partnership with our families and community partners. It's going to be an incredible school year.

In partnership,

Ellen Guidry