Dear Friends,
I think being an educator is the best job in the world. We have the rare honor of helping children develop from curious school newcomers to confident, sophisticated learners. The youngest ones charm us right away, revealing emerging talents and passions that already reflect their individuality, and the older ones reinforce our belief that each child has a personal brand of genius. If we do our jobs well, we build on these precious traits, helping children gain skills and confidence so they may uncover the myriad gifts within them. Each year’s learning therefore builds on the one before it, fortifying foundational skills, and, we hope, inspiring a love of learning.
Children are not alone in their need for developmental growth. As an organization, our District continuously seeks opportunities to reshape in order to better serve students. Every new district initiative is designed to empower children to believe in their own potential to learn without limits, and to inspire them to apply that learning in a meaningful way. We see evidence every day that our children are drawing conclusions and taking action. Many are launching initiatives of their own design: students at Vargas school studied the environmental impact of plastics and built and presented a case to our Board of Education that resulted in the elimination of plastic utensil packets at the school. Another boy gathered needed evidence and convinced key decision-makers of the need for an additional drinking fountain at Lakewood school. These are just a few examples of the way our children are finding and raising their voices, and embracing their potential.
As we look ahead to the year 2020, we deepen our commitment to our continuous improvement and evolution as a district, so that we may help all children become enthusiastic proponents of their own learning journeys. It has been an honor to guide them thus far.
Thank you for your trust and support.
Benjamin Picard, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
