Superintendent Messages

The latest messages from David VanderYacht, Lynden Schools superintendent.

Aug. 22, 2022:

We Are Glad You Are Here 

Warmest of greetings to the students, families, and friends of Lynden Schools as we near the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year. Like many of you, I am personally reconciling the shift from a summer mindset to one of great anticipation and opportunity. I’m a lover of almost all things associated with school and look forward to engaging with each of you as we begin the 2022-2023 journey together. 

Schools and departments are busy preparing for the start of the year. Leaders and staff are prioritizing learning environments that are safe, welcoming, and centered on the academic and social-emotional learning needs of all students. I’ve spent 13 years as a student and 30 years as an educator with the Lynden School District and have never felt more strongly about the importance of public education and our community’s collective responsibility of developing in each of our students a strong knowledge base and ability to think critically.  Our students in today’s world also require the development of adaptive skillsets, healthy mindsets focused on growth, and strategies to respectfully engage in human-to-human interactions that honor and dignify diverse perspectives of others. 

There is also a commitment to work in partnership with parents who we believe are a child’s first and most important educators. I want to encourage our families to engage meaningfully with an understanding of the essentialness of the role they have in leveraging the experiences of students in our schools and programs. We serve over 3400 students from three years old to twenty-one, and although we can’t be everything for everyone at all times, we can partner and support each family navigating the ups and downs of life’s journey through our schools. If they have not already done so, schools will soon be sending out important start-up information; we expect parents to participate. 

On behalf of the staff members from across all levels of our organization, I want to welcome you to our schools and let you know how glad we are that you will be joining us on September 1st!

With appreciation,

David VanderYacht

Superintendent