BISMARCK, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Most of North Dakota’s public school districts are starting their fall classes this week. With that in mind, state School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler has this to say about the beginning of the 2019-20 school year.

“The start of school is like the beginning of our growing season. It’s a time for new, fresh perspectives, energy and innovation. It’s a time for parents and families to be involved and be engaged. If your school isn’t asking you what you need from them, please tell them anyway. As we try to transform and improve education, we are putting a lot of emphasis and focus on families’ voices.”

“Family voice matters. If you’re a mom, or a dad, or an auntie, or an uncle, or a grandmother, or a grandfather, or just a good family friend or cousin who is engaged in a child’s life, be engaged in their school life too. Educators can’t do this alone, and we really are working to try to make our families feel more welcome, because we can’t do this alone. If we could do this alone, we would have done it a long time ago. We need to engage families.”