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Giving Thanks

Posted Date: 11/25/25 (2:28 PM)
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Dear SACS Families,

As we head into Thanksgiving break, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for the partnership, support, and trust you show our schools every day. This season reminds us of the importance of community, and I am continually inspired by the collaboration between our students, staff, families, and the broader Southwest Allen County Schools community.

As we advance our vision of being the District of Choice, we continue to expand options and explore learning experiences that prepare students for their future pathways. Two key initiatives reflect this commitment:

Signature Elementary Programming Survey

We are gathering community feedback on potential Signature Elementary Programming, and your voice is essential. Your input will help us shape innovative, enriching opportunities for our youngest learners.  As we continue asking how we can be better and do better for our students and families, we remain committed to preserving our neighborhood school model. Exploring Signature Programming is simply an extension of that commitment.

If you haven’t yet participated, please take a few minutes to complete the survey and consider sharing it with others who may be interested.
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Career & Technical Education (CTE) Center

We are also excited about the development of our new Career and Technical Education Center, a major step forward in expanding hands-on, career-connected learning for students in high-demand fields. From health sciences and engineering to skilled trades and technology, our CTE programming will give students meaningful opportunities to explore their interests, gain real-world experience, and prepare confidently for whatever path they choose after graduation.


As we continue striving to be the District of Choice, your advocacy and support make all the difference. Please help us share these initiatives with families who may be considering SACS for their children’s education.
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It’s been a remarkable school year thus far. Just this month, our schools have earned and celebrated an extraordinary range of academic, artistic, and athletic achievements including 59 perfect scores on the IREAD, regional winners across multiple secondary-level competitions including Robotics and We the People, and impressive athletic accomplishments such as Homestead’s boys’ tennis state champion. Quite honestly, there are far too many successes to list in a single letter. We take pride in these accomplishments, but it’s moments like the one below that make the celebration even sweeter.

The Homestead Spartan Alliance Marching Band recently placed 3rd at the 2025 ISSMA State Finals, an achievement to be proud of on its own. But what stands out even more is the message shared by the assistant band director from Penn High School:

“For many years, the Penn and Homestead bands have cheered each other on as two of the most successful programs from ‘the North’. For quite some time it was tradition for the Homestead band to be the final band at our fall invitational, which was always a thrilling end to the contest for our crowd! Having not qualified for State Marching Band finals since 2019, we were blown away to once again be greeted by the cheers of “PENN! Let’s go Penn!” by the Homestead fans as we exited the field at Lucas Oil Stadium. You are all a class act, and this sincere gesture of kindness and support meant the world to our students. The Homestead band community is a true example of the very best of what this activity represents."

This gesture of kindness and sportsmanship is a powerful reminder of who we are not just a district of high performers, but a district of heart, character, and community.

On behalf of the entire SACS team, I wish you a restful and joy-filled Thanksgiving break. Thank you for being an essential part of our schools.

I love this place,
Joshua St. John, Ph.D., Superintendent
Southwest Allen County Schools