Wednesday, December 17, 2025

A Season of Achievements and Bright Spots

Today marks my final post for 2025. The holiday season is upon us and we are just a few days away from a well deserved break. It is always a great deal of fun to see our students and staff enjoy these special days with us here in the district, from the Gingerbread House Project to the Twelve Days of Christmas. It has brought special joy to see such great participation from students, staff, and even principals getting in on the fun! In just a few short days, our buildings will close to allow all of you to enjoy and celebrate this special time of year with your loved ones. On behalf of all of us here at Hudson Schools, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and prosperous and peaceful New Year. 

This year, really this past twelve months have been defined by a shared commitment to excellence. As we take just a few moments to reflect, I am filled with immense pride in what we have accomplished together. It is not just a time to celebrate the season, but the remarkable growth, accomplishments and spirit of our entire school community. 

It has been a year of significant academic achievement for our district, marked by outstanding public results. Yesterday the Iowa Department of Education released updated district level ratings on the Iowa Performance Profile. It should come as no surprise to anyone that the Hudson Community School District has been designated a high performing school district, outperforming the state metric by every measure. This of course follows outstanding building level ratings that were released before Thanksgiving. This rating validates other metrics that we have come to rely on and underscores this point: we have fantastic schools here in Hudson! These scores are more than mere numbers, statistics, and comparisons. They represent milestones in our mission to ensure every child reaches their full potential. Seeing our students excel and set high standards for success gives us hope for the future they are building for themselves and this community. 

While our newly renovated and expanded high school opened in 2024, it was this year when we fully began to reap the benefits in this state of the art space with significant program expansion. Our teachers have worked hard to widen horizons for our students, introducing new innovations and projects designed to ensure these young people are future ready. Initiatives ranging from the new coffee shop in the high school, to unlocking the doors and developing professional skills through our CAPS program. Regardless of the path our students choose, these programs are designed to provide the tools needed to navigate an everchanging world with confidence and skill. 

At the same time, we remain mindful that with our growth comes it's own set of challenges. We recognize the effort it takes to balance high expectations with the well-being of our community. However, the strength of the Hudson Community School District lies in our ability to face these moments together. Our collective resilience and the way we support one another ensure that our schools remain a place of safety, inspiration, and belonging for everyone. 

So, we look forward to 2026 and we are energized by the momentum we have built together. We wish you a holiday season filled with rest, reflection, and the company of loved ones. I look forward to seeing you in January renewed and with a sense of pride in our community. Again, on behalf of the District, we wish you a happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

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