08/22/2026
Welcome Back, Panthers!
Dear Polo High School and Middle School Students and Parents,
I want to take a moment to welcome everyone back for another school year at Polo R-VII. I am excited about the year ahead and, more importantly, excited about the opportunity to get to know our students, families, teachers, and staff better.
I have spent 12 years working in education, including the last 8 years in administration. During that time, I have learned that there is no single formula for making a school successful. It takes good people working together, strong relationships, high expectations, and a willingness to do what is best for kids.
There are four things that I believe are especially important, and they will guide US throughout the school year:
Respect
We will treat each other with respect. That means respecting our classmates, teachers, coaches, staff, parents, and ourselves. We do not have to agree on everything, but we do need to treat people the right way.
Accountability
We all make mistakes. What matters is how we respond to those mistakes. I expect our students to take responsibility for their choices and actions, and I will hold myself and my staff to that same standard.
Hard Work
There is no substitute for hard work. Whether it is in the classroom, on the athletic field, in an activity, or simply working to become a better person, I expect our students to give their best effort. You may not always be the best at something, but you can always control how hard you work.
Communication
I believe communication is one of the most important parts of a successful school. I want students and parents to feel comfortable coming to me with questions, concerns, or ideas. We may not always have the same opinion or the answer you are hoping for, but I will listen and work with you to find the best solution for our students.
Parents, I appreciate the trust you place in our school and our staff each day. We have the same goal—to provide your children with a safe, positive environment where they can learn, grow, and be successful. I look forward to working with you and building strong relationships throughout the year.
Students, I want you to know that I am here for you. I will have high expectations for you, but I will also be here to support you. I want you to take advantage of the opportunities that Polo has to offer, get involved, work hard, treat people right, and be proud of who you are and the school you represent.
Most importantly, I want us to enjoy the year. School should be about more than just grades. It should be about friendships, experiences, opportunities, and creating memories that you will look back on years from now.
We are going to start the school year by having a little fun!
The first day of school will be filled with activities planned by our Student Council. The theme for the day is HAWAIIAN, so come ready to have some fun and show off your best Hawaiian fit! 🌺🌴 Break out the Hawaiian shirts, leis, tropical colors, and whatever else you can come up with.
Let’s start the year with some school spirit and have a great time. I am looking forward to a great year with all of you.
Welcome back, Panthers!
Sincerely,
Dr. Derek Lannigan
Polo R-VII HS/MS Principal
