FUSD creating a connected community this new school year

"The COVID-19 pandemic caused our district to continually adapt and adjust to the fluid and rapidly changing situation of the virus. "”

Chris Knutsen, superintendent of the Florence Unified School District

The Florence Unified School District is focused-forward as we embrace this year’s theme to “Create a Connected Community” in the 2021-22 academic school year. The COVID-19 pandemic caused our district to continually adapt and adjust to the fluid and rapidly changing situation of the virus.  This caused our families to rethink the educational options for their children.  Even though FUSD offered Florence Virtual Academy as an online learning option for students, there are still some students that have not returned in person or online.   

Looking forward, our goal this year is to recapture those students we lost during the pandemic. To accomplish this, we have launched a registration campaign that will broaden our reach across the neighboring communities of Florence and San Tan Valley.  We want our families to see what makes FUSD a “District by Design and Not by Chance.” 

We will connect with our families and students academically. At San Tan Heights K-8, FUSD has partnered with Great Minds, a nonprofit organization that will help teachers gain access to high-quality curriculum and align teacher-professional development. The project will also encourage strong involvement by parents and guardians. Events and activities such as math nights, science fairs and book giveaways to younger siblings will bolster the joy of learning for everyone. According to San Tan Heights principal, Henry Saylor-Scheetz, “Our goal is to make San Tan Heights K-8 one of the finest institutions not just in this area, but nationally. Our staff is excited for the opportunity to be the first Great Minds School in the country.”

We will connect with our district community. FUSD has partnered with the Florence Chamber of Commerce and the Friends of Florence Kids First Foundation to host the very first Professional BBQ Team Competition on Main Street in downtown Florence during the first weekend of October. This event will provide scholarship opportunities for our graduating students and strengthen our relationship with our community. It will give FUSD a chance to showcase our amazing schools, students and what makes our district the preferred school choice in Pinal County. This is our way to give back to our community while engaging with our families to make meaningful connections with those we serve.

We will connect with our students.  Working with Sheriff Mark Lamb, FUSD will reach out to our students and educate them about the importance of attendance. Our “Attendance Matters” campaign will target chronic absenteeism and will take a data-driven, comprehensive approach that begins with engaging students and families as well as preventing absences from adding up before they fall behind academically.

I am eagerly looking forward to the year ahead and all the possibilities it presents to our students, families and staff. The mission of the Florence Unified School District is to ensure that every student discovers their potential to succeed, and I am confident that by “Creating a Connected Community” we can do that. 

Chris Knutsen is the superintendent of the Florence Unified School District.