July, 2023

I must admit……..I can’t wait for the students and staff to return for the 2023-24 school year!   Each July, I always get a bit anxious with anticipation about what is to come.  I so look forward to our incredible staff coming back to prepare their rooms…I absolutely love watching and talking to our kids as they enter the doors for yet another school year…. And I truly enjoy our annual “Back to School” night when I observe our families meeting their child’s teacher as well as witnessing where their child will be learning.  To use one of my favorite phrases…. Let’s get this thing going! 

We have several new improvements and projects that are being completed over the summer months!  Our new HS Science Lab, which will provide an innovative learning experience, is scheduled to be completed in the second week of August (just in time for our students’ return).  Also, our Main Gym floor has undergone a complete renovation and should provide a great environment for our student athletes and community as a whole.  School safety was once again a priority, as we have updated our entire exterior and interior security camera system as well as installing base alarm radios.  Our elementary students will also arrive to new desks in the fall and our PreSchool Center has undergone a renewal project compliments of our secured PreSchool Grant.  Several other improvements occurred, and I hope that as a community you are proud of our facilities and the learning environment that we offer.  

However, we still have work to do!  I often speak about the expectations here at Grant Park School District.  Our past success is attributed to the talents and compassion of our staff, the cooperation from our parents, and the relationships that are formed between our kiddos and employees. Yet, we must not allow ourselves to become complacent.  We have more work to do during the 2023-24 school year, as we know and understand our students still are “catching up” from interruptions due to the pandemic.  Without doubt, there is no “easy fix” and it will take the cooperation of all stakeholders. Our kiddos deserve our best…. and the GP Family will be up for the challenge.  

I can’t wait to see all of you and am so excited to “get this thing going.”  

 Dr. John Palan, Superintendent Grant Park School District #6

Dr. John Palan

Superintendent, Grant Park #6