Dear Trojan Families and Community Partners,
I hope this letter finds each of you enjoying a healthy, restful and rejuvenating summer. As we are preparing to welcome our students back into the building for the 2025-2026 school year, as your new high school principal, I am filled with immense excitement and optimism about the opportunities that lie ahead at Southwestern High School.
We will begin this year with a renewed focus on academic rigor and excellence, building on our strong tradition of success. At Southwestern High School, we are committed to offering challenging and meaningful coursework that prepares our students to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. We believe that ALL students, regardless of background or experience, deserve access to high-quality learning experiences that stretch their thinking and build both competence and confidence. Our goal is not only to graduate students but to graduate young adults who are curious, critical thinkers and compassionate leaders.
To support this work, our staff continues to engage in the Professional Learning Communities (PLC) process-a collaborative approach that focuses on 4 critical questions: What do we want all students to learn? How will we know if each student has learned it? How will we respond when some students do not learn it? How will we extend the learning for students who have demonstrated proficiency? Through collaboration meetings, shared data analysis and focused intervention strategies, our teachers are constantly refining their practice to meet the individual needs of EVERY student. This approach is not a program-it’s a professional culture and one that is making a real difference.
Our efforts are guided by the Southwestern Central School District’s Blueprint for Excellence, which lays out a clear vision for student success across academics, social-emotional development, equity and leadership. This Blueprint for Excellence challenges each of us to set high expectations, maintain clear goals and foster a sense of belonging for all students. Within this framework, we are working to build a school environment where students feel both supported and empowered to take ownership of their learning.
As we focus on preparing students for life beyond high school, we also recognize the challenges that arise with living in an age of constant connectivity. In response to growing concerns from parents, educators and mental health professionals, Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a statewide initiative to limit student use of personal cell phones, bell-to-bell, in New York State K-12 public schools. Research continues to show that excessive screen time-especially during instructional hours-can negatively impact student attention, academic performance, social interactions and mental wellness.
In line with this new state guidance, the Southwestern Central School District Board of Education has adopted a new cell phone policy which will take effect at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year. While we recognize that technology plays an important role in modern life, we also believe in the importance of intentional, undistracted learning. During school hours (bell-to-bell), students will be expected to store their phones in their school-issued locker(s) and refrain from personal use unless authorized for academic purposes. We ask for your partnership and support as we implement these changes, which are ultimately intended to help students engage more fully with their learning and with one another.
This initiative aligns closely with a core value that we strive to model and teach daily: the Golden Rule-treat others the way you want to be treated. In every classroom, hallway and social interaction, we emphasize kindness, empathy and mutual respect. Whether it’s in our academic policies, our behavioral expectations or our athletic programs, we believe that treating others with dignity is essential to creating a safe and inclusive school culture.
We will also continue to prioritize strong communication and family engagement throughout the year. Education is not a solo journey; it requires collective responsibility between school, home and the greater community. Your involvement is critical-whether through attending school events, staying in contact with teachers or simply encouraging your child to do their best-each of these engagements makes a tremendous difference.
We are looking forward to welcoming students back into the building beginning Tuesday, September 2nd. In the weeks ahead, you’ll be receiving updates about schedules, transportation, extra-curricular opportunities and important school-wide events. Please stay connected through our district website, emails and social media platforms for the latest information.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and belief in our mission. Here’s to a fantastic school year ahead!
With Trojan Pride,
Matt Kindberg
Southwestern High School Principal