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Superintendent’s Message: December 2017

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December 2017

Dear Friends,

Our district motto, “learn today, lead tomorrow,” reflects our belief that today’s students will be ready to lead as they grow into adulthood. The phrase is true — our children have vast potential, and they are certainly learning during their school days; however, they are not waiting until tomorrow to put their leadership skills to work!

At our recent Student Leadership Luncheon, we celebrated various service projects initiated and conducted by students. Our children are composting and recycling, collecting food and socks for donation, raising awareness of the need for safe drinking water in developing countries, and gathering coins to support the development of the Magical Bridge playground, the city’s first playground designed to accommodate children of all abilities. This is meaningful work that improves lives — not only embodying our District values but demonstrating the children’s innate kindness while deepening their understanding of their connection to their community and the world. I am so proud of them!

In the words of the late Dr. Stephen R. Covey, whose legacy is built upon his teachings about principle-centered leadership, “Leadership is a choice, not a position.” I couldn’t agree more. Leaders here in our district are not just those who have been elected to student council or are the leaders of a team. They include every student open to learning how to bring out the best in themselves and others. By nurturing students’ empathy, creativity, compassion, and civility, we hope to encourage them to respect one another’s unique approaches and ideas. It’s a path that brings about the best solutions, and it’s what true leaders do.

While every one of our schools nurtures leaders, Bishop Elementary has taken leadership education to a deeper level integrating Dr. Covey’s principles. Learn more about Bishop’s “Leader in Me” and the other Programs of Choice by visiting https://ca01902799.schoolwires.net/Page/242.

It is so gratifying to see our students grow. I have every confidence that they will be well-suited to lead us to a better tomorrow.  In the meantime, I am happy to celebrate the way they are shaping a better today for our community.

I wish you a peaceful winter holiday.

 

Sincerely,

Benjamin H. Picard, Ed. D.

Superintendent of Schools

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