Greetings from the Superintendent

Over the past few months our country has suffered from the devastating effects of what might be called “natural disasters”. These events have left people in critical need of the most essential things in life – water, shelter, food, clothing, close connection with family and friends and EDUCATION. Like most things for which we have constant access, we take for granted the daily opportunity to go to school and learn. However, it is an essential of life and we don’t have free access to it we miss it.

In the East St. Louis Schools our students have the opportunity to learn from master teachers who are deeply concerned about their students. Moreover, our staff works diligently to provide students with clean schools, operating equipment and other help and support as needed. We make it our business to be excellent in our work. The result is that we are steadily and surely making progress.

Our recent test data indicate that we have improved our district wide and individual school attendance, reading scores and high school graduation rates. However, there is much work that still needs to be done. Specifically, we are working to ensure that 1) every child is proficient in the core subjects of mathematics, science, English and history, 2) every school meets their AYP, 3) every child is proficient in the use of educational technology, 4) every child has experiences in the arts and at least one world language, 5) our school attendance rate is over 95%, and 6) our high school graduation rate is over 90%. These things can not be accomplished, though, without the continuing help and support of our community.

I am very glad to join the East St. Louis community as the Superintendent of Schools. I look forward to our working together to continue the success of our students and the District.

Sincerely,

Theresa Saunders