Perrins

Welcome to the 2025–26 School Year

A Message from Superintendent Jason Perrins
Chewelah School District

As we begin a new school year, I want to extend a warm welcome to all of our students, families, and staff. The start of each year brings new opportunities to learn, grow, and work together to make our schools even stronger. I am proud of the dedication and care our community shows for its young people—Chewelah is truly a place where students are known, supported, and encouraged to succeed.

Strengthening Learning Through Better Feedback

This year, our teachers are continuing important work to improve our skills and practices in the classroom. This year our teachers will explore how they assess and communicate student learning. Last September, our staff participated in professional learning with Dr. Cassandra Erkens, a national expert in standards-based grading and feedback. Her work helped our teachers focus on how to give students and parents clearer, more meaningful information about learning progress.

Rather than relying on points or percentages that often leave questions unanswered, standards-based feedback shows what a student has learned and what they still need to work on. For example, two students might both score 71% on a test, but each could have different strengths and gaps. A percentage doesn’t tell that story—but standards-based feedback does. It helps teachers, students, and families know exactly which skills have been mastered and which need more attention.

Our goal is simple: to help every student demonstrate proficiency in the essential standards that matter most. Just as a pilot must show mastery of every skill before flying solo, we want each student to be confident and capable in the knowledge and skills they learn here in Chewelah.

Building Positive School Culture

In addition to improving our academic feedback, our schools are also working hard to strengthen the behavior culture in our classrooms and hallways. We want every student to feel safe, respected, and connected. Just like we want to help students grow academically, we also want to help them grow behaviorally. This means setting clear expectations, teaching positive behaviors, and celebrating the choices that help our schools run smoothly and joyfully.

We know that learning happens best when students feel supported and when the school environment reflects our shared values of respect, responsibility, and kindness. Together—with students, staff, and families—we are creating schools where every child can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

The Power of Choice and Belief

As we move into this new school year, I’m reminded of the power of support, mentors and kindness. We all need them, and we all have them. Each one of us can relate to someone who helped us in our life. Let’s do the same for others.

“Coach me and I will learn. Challenge me and I will grow. Believe in me and I will win.”

There are a lot of entitlement banners being waved and voices claiming to be deserving. I say we spend more time being responsible and focused on others rather than ourselves. This way of thinking is a choice. It's a choice not to be kind as much as it is to be kind. It's a choice to believe in another person just as it is not to believe. These are choices we don’t make once but have to make every day and often times, more than once a day.

“Hard work is a choice. Attitude is a choice. Discipline is a choice. Doing extras is a choice. Integrity is a choice. Kindness is a choice.”

Every day we face choices—how we respond, how we treat others, and how we approach challenges. Let’s choose to encourage, to believe, to model hard work and kindness. These choices not only shape our schools; they shape our lives and communities. It surely makes for healthier living and happier living.

Moving Forward Together

The 2025–26 school year promises to be one of continued growth and progress for the Chewelah School District. I am deeply grateful to our teachers, staff, parents, and community members who make our schools strong.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we strive to provide a world-class education rooted in care, accountability, and community. Together, we’ll make this a great year for every Chewelah student.

Welcome back, and let’s make it a great year!
Jason Perrins, Superintendent
Chewelah School District