Latta School District faculty and staff gathered Friday, July 31, for the district’s Beginning of the Year Kickoff Luncheon, sponsored by Anderson Brothers Bank, as they prepared to begin a new school year focused on leadership, learning, accountability, and student success.
Superintendent Stephanie Ard warmly welcomed employees to the kickoff and expressed her appreciation for the dedication and commitment they bring to Latta students each day. Following the welcome, faculty and staff enjoyed a delicious luncheon provided through the generous sponsorship of Anderson Brothers Bank. After lunch, volunteers got things moving and grooving with a dance off. Superintendent Ard agreed to cover the winner's chosen duty for 45 minutes. Marcie King, kindergarten teacher at LES, stole the crown as the crowd cheered her on.
Latta School Board Chair Kyle Berry encouraged employees with an uplifting message centered on the importance of leadership, hard work, and accountability. He challenged faculty and staff to intentionally instill these qualities into the work they do each day, emphasizing that the impact of education extends beyond academic achievement and plays an important role in developing students into responsible, confident leaders.
Superintendent Ard then shared updates on several areas of the district, including facilities, programming, personnel, and the future direction of Latta School District. Her presentation highlighted the district’s continued commitment to providing students with meaningful opportunities while building a strong foundation for continued growth and success.
A key focus of the kickoff was the district’s new Leader in Me journey. Earlier in the week, faculty and staff participated in professional development centered on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Superintendent Ard provided a recap of the first three habits and encouraged employees to move beyond simply knowing the habits to living them—both personally and professionally.
The first three habits—Be Proactive, Begin With the End in Mind, and Put First Things First—serve as a foundation for personal responsibility, purposeful decision-making, and effective leadership. Ard challenged employees to model these habits for one another and, most importantly, for students.
The message of leadership aligns with the district’s emerging Vikings Lead initiative, which seeks to develop leadership capacity throughout the district and empower every student and staff member to recognize their ability to make a positive difference.
Ard closed the luncheon with several heartwarming stories that served as a powerful reminder of why the work of educators matters. She emphasized that every student has potential and every student deserves opportunities to experience success.
“Our students deserve adults who believe in them, challenge them, and provide them with opportunities to succeed,” Ard shared. “We have the opportunity to help every student discover their potential and become the best version of themselves.”
The Beginning of the Year Kickoff set an enthusiastic tone for the 2026–2027 school year. With a renewed focus on leadership, accountability, high expectations, and student opportunity, Latta School District is ready to begin the year united around a common mission: one district, one team, one mission.
The district extends its sincere appreciation to Anderson Brothers Bank for sponsoring the luncheon and supporting Latta School District as it prepares for another year of serving students, families, and the Latta community.
