Letter from Principal

Letter from Principal

Mike Wheatley Thumb 2Dear Friendship Families, 

We are ecstatic to welcome you back to the 2023-24 school year, and I am honored to continue to serve the CCSD59 community as the principal of Friendship Junior High. 

At Friendship, we will strive to help all students find success and belonging in junior high as we support them to grow academically as well as socially and emotionally. We will provide rigorous and meaningful learning opportunities through what happens both inside and outside of the classroom, and we encourage all students and families to get involved in our extracurricular opportunities and all our school has to offer. We take educating your child very seriously, and we feel lucky to have the privilege to be a part of this journey.

I began my career as a junior high math and science teacher and have also spent time as a K-12 STEM curriculum director. More recently, I also served as both a junior high assistant principal and principal in other districts. Junior high has always been my passion, and I love seeing how students grow during this unique stage in life. My children also attend District 59, so I am thrilled to continue to plant my roots in my home community.

At Friendship, we encourage you to have your student get involved in many of the activities and extracurriculars available. This year brings about a revamped schedule which creates more equitable opportunities for students including our W.I.N. (What I Need) block to provide access to enrichment, support, or interventions designed around individual student needs.

As the 2023-24 school year begins, I look forward to building relationships and collaborating with you to create a strong school and community partnership. Through this bond, we can help all students be successful during their time at Friendship Junior High. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at any time as open communication is so vital.

Go, Firebirds!

Mike Wheatley
Principal, Friendship Junior High

 

Mike Wheatley Thumb 2Dear Friendship Families, 

We are ecstatic to welcome you back to the 2023-24 school year, and I am honored to continue to serve the CCSD59 community as the principal of Friendship Junior High. 

At Friendship, we will strive to help all students find success and belonging in junior high as we support them to grow academically as well as socially and emotionally. We will provide rigorous and meaningful learning opportunities through what happens both inside and outside of the classroom, and we encourage all students and families to get involved in our extracurricular opportunities and all our school has to offer. We take educating your child very seriously, and we feel lucky to have the privilege to be a part of this journey.

I began my career as a junior high math and science teacher and have also spent time as a K-12 STEM curriculum director. More recently, I also served as both a junior high assistant principal and principal in other districts. Junior high has always been my passion, and I love seeing how students grow during this unique stage in life. My children also attend District 59, so I am thrilled to continue to plant my roots in my home community.

At Friendship, we encourage you to have your student get involved in many of the activities and extracurriculars available. This year brings about a revamped schedule which creates more equitable opportunities for students including our W.I.N. (What I Need) block to provide access to enrichment, support, or interventions designed around individual student needs.

As the 2023-24 school year begins, I look forward to building relationships and collaborating with you to create a strong school and community partnership. Through this bond, we can help all students be successful during their time at Friendship Junior High. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at any time as open communication is so vital.

Go, Firebirds!

Mike Wheatley
Principal, Friendship Junior High