As this season of reflection and light arrives, I want to express my profound gratitude for the service you render each day to the students and families of the Granite School District. You hold a unique stewardship—one that blends knowledge, compassion, patience, and unwavering commitment. The work you do shapes not only academic outcomes but the character, confidence, and hope of thousands of young people.
This time of year invites us to consider themes that have endured across cultures and generations: the belief that every person carries inherent worth, the idea that small acts of kindness can transform a life, and the hope that generosity and goodwill can mend, uplift, and inspire. These themes are traditionally associated with this season, yet they transcend any one tradition. They speak to the universal human experience of striving to make the world brighter for others.
In many ways, your daily efforts embody these ideals. You bring light into classrooms where students may be searching for direction. You extend patience when frustration is easier. You offer encouragement when someone needs the confidence to try again. You carry the belief, sometimes more strongly than the students themselves, that growth is possible, that potential is real, and that every learner deserves a champion.
Your work is not just instructional; it is transformational. Just as this season invites all of us to look outward, to lift, to serve, and to nurture hope, you live these principles through your practice. You model what it means to give of oneself so that others may rise.
Thank you for the countless visible and invisible ways you bless the lives of students and their families. Thank you for bringing warmth, stability, and possibility into the spaces where young people learn and grow. And thank you for choosing, day after day, to do work that matters deeply.
May this season bring you rest, joy, and renewal. We are better, as a district and as a community, because of you.
This week let’s recognize Felicia Wood, principal of Hartvigsen. Here’s what some of her educators had to say about her:
“My principal, Felicia Wood, is truly outstanding because of her vision, leadership, and unwavering support for both staff and students. One of the ways she demonstrates this is through her “Get on the Energy Bus” initiative, which has transformed the culture of our school. She encourages positivity, accountability, and proactive problem-solving in both students and staff, and she leads by example. For instance, during particularly challenging weeks, she personally checks in with teachers, offering encouragement and practical solutions, reminding us to focus on what we can control and celebrating small wins along the way. This initiative has noticeably boosted morale, engagement, and collaboration among staff and students alike. Equally remarkable is her open-door policy. Despite managing a large school and overseeing many staff members, she is always accessible, approachable, and willing to listen. I have personally seen her calmly navigate highly stressful situations in classrooms—from behavioral crises to complex parent concerns, always responding with thoughtful guidance and clear action steps. We don’t work at an easy school, yet Felicia Wood handles a wide range of challenging situations with stride, grace, and consistency. Her leadership doesn’t just manage, it motivates, uplifts, and creates a sense of community that allows both staff and students to thrive.”
“Felicia wood is a great principal she knows all the students by name and is always out and around them. she is a big advocate for the students and staff she helps make sure that everyone is safe and protected to the best of her ability she is out helping bring kids in and out to the bus and is willing to help in the classrooms if needed. She is great at communicating with the parents and makes sure they all have their concerns meet. Felicia has been a huge help in my first 3 years as a teacher and gives me support in everything I do.”
Thank you, Felicia! We appreciate you and all you do for the students, staff, and community of Hartvigsen.
