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Deerfield SD 109 tells Shepherd graduates persistence, ‘challenge’ are central to district mission
Summary
At Shepherd Middle School’s graduation ceremony at Deerfield High School, Superintendent Michael Simmett described how community surveys led the district to prioritize persistence and perseverance and adopt “challenge” as a guiding concept for student growth.
At Shepherd Middle School’s graduation ceremony at Deerfield High School, Deerfield SD 109 Superintendent Michael Simmett said the district has made persistence and perseverance central to its mission after community feedback.
Simmett told the assembled graduates, families and staff that the district asked parents, staff and community members two open-ended questions about the skills children need and what school should look like to support those skills. "By wide margin, persistence and perseverance were the top two responses," he said, and the district settled on the word "challenge" as a proxy for failure when shaping its approach.
The superintendent said the district has pursued projects such as "grit talks" and frequent check-ins to build resilience. He noted that students spend "only 13% of their time in school," and urged families to continue partnering with schools because "fully 87% of their time is in charge of their families." Simmett also cited broader context, referencing a 2023 comment by a technology leader that artificial intelligence will have sweeping effects, to underline the importance of preparing students to learn from setbacks.
Student speaker Angela Meehan emphasized peer support in her remarks. "Together we are an ocean," Meehan said, urging classmates to rely on one another as they move to high school.
Deerfield High School principal Dr. Catherine Anderson welcomed the incoming freshmen and encouraged students to get involved in clubs, athletics and other activities that foster connection and growth. "This is your time to explore and thrive," Anderson said, telling graduates the high school staff and student body would support their transition.
Superintendent Simmett closed his comments by presenting the Shepherd Middle School Class of 2025 to the audience and asking families to continue reinforcing the district’s emphasis on persistence and learning from failure as students enter Deerfield High School.
The ceremony also included school awards, musical performances and the presentation of diplomas to graduating eighth-graders.
