Dr. John Asplund, Galesburg CUSD 205

Our fourth issue really branches out and shows how we are truly a “community school.”

As you move through this issue, as I have, you’ll see many examples of excellence, ingenuity, and, perhaps most important, caring.  It’s that sense of caring that carries us through during the winter months.  And as we move into spring, that ethos of care can support those people who can then excel.

You’ll meet educators who create spaces where every student belongs—where a choir room becomes a place for every voice, and a classroom becomes a place where students are known not just for what they achieve, but for who they are. You’ll see teachers, mentors, and volunteers who understand that their greatest role is helping young people discover their “it”—that sense of purpose that gives direction to their lives.

You’ll also encounter students who are doing the work of becoming the best versions of themselves. Some are finding their path through hands-on learning, building skills that will carry them into careers and independence. Others are stepping into lives of service, choosing to contribute to something larger than themselves. And some are simply pushing forward—through challenges, through uncertainty—choosing growth when it would be easier not to.

There is a powerful thread of care woven throughout these stories. It lives in families who model what it means to serve others. It shows up in volunteers who sit beside a child and listen as they read, knowing that presence alone can change a life. It’s there in community members who give back in meaningful ways, and in those who make it their mission to ensure no student walks through our schools without someone in their corner.

You’ll also see how deeply relationships matter. Whether it’s a single invitation that opens a new path, a mentor who helps a student see what’s possible, or a community that rallies around one of its own in a time of need, these moments remind us that learning does not happen in isolation—it happens through connection.

That is what defines Galesburg. And it makes me so proud.

It’s not any single program or achievement, but the way people come together—lifting one another, supporting one another, and building something that extends far beyond the classroom that is the source of that pride.

To our families, staff, and community members, thank you for the role you play in that shared work. Your support makes these stories possible.

As you read this issue, I hope you feel a deep sense of pride in the people and the spirit that continues to shape Galesburg’s future.

With appreciation,

Dr. John Asplund
Superintendent
Galesburg CUSD #205