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News from the Superintendent: November 30, 2009
November 29, 2009
Good afternoon and welcome back. I hope you had an enjoyable and restful Thanksgiving break.
I would like to take a moment to thank volunteers
who went out of their way to make sure families and individuals in need
had a happy Thanksgiving. For just a couple of examples, parents at
Highland High School partnered with the Buffalo Soldiers and the Martin
Luther King Jr. Commission in an ongoing project to distribute food to
other parents and to the homeless. Seventh-graders at Roosevelt Middle
School wrote persuasive letters asking for donations, raised funds,
shopped and distributed Thanksgiving baskets to 25 needy families in
the East Mountains last week. A number of schools also partnered with
the YMCA to provide 38 baskets to families in need.
So many
students, staff and parents in the APS community are so generous with
their time and resources throughout the holiday season. It is a real
testament to the quality of people learning and working in our schools
every day. You continue to inspire all of us.
With just three weeks left in the semester, all kinds of events
culminating months of hard work and celebrating the holidays will be
taking place throughout the district. I encourage you to take a moment
out of your busy schedule to enjoy one of these concerts, plays or
school open houses. APS students put an enormous amount of energy into
academics and activities and they appreciate your support.
For
middle school teachers and parents of middle school students, you may
be interested in a special presentation next Monday night on “Bullying, Cyberbullying and Youth Depression.”
At 7 p.m., Dec. 7, in the Highland High School Performing Arts Center,
child advocate and public speaker John Halligan will offer strategies
for parents based on a tragic experience in his own family. His
13-year-old son committed suicide after being bullied at school and
online. The presentation is sponsored by the Jefferson Middle School
PTA. There is no admission charge.
Have a great week.
Winston Brooks
Superintendent




