Dear Parents and Students,
As the calendar turns to its final page, we enter the season of giving…and, of course, receiving. Too often, it seems, we focus on the latter piece and spend inordinate time contemplating our own perceived value of gifts that come to us during the holiday season. Economist Thorstein Veblen coined the phrase “conspicuous consumption” to describe the spending habits of a population driven to show others their success through extravagant, often meaningless, purchases and possessions. This time of year always reminds me of Veblen’s perspective and how Madison Avenue marketers would seek to convince us that tidings of comfort and joy come directly through a 50” plasma TV. I try, albeit with mixed results, to focus on the true gifts of the season and what they add to our lives. Gifts such as the family and close friends on whom we can rely for support and affection. Gifts such as good health, job security, and financial stability. Gifts such as a warm home, a full refrigerator, and a life that enriches our existence.
These are large gifts, things that, I think, we can all recognize and appreciate. However, we receive smaller gifts throughout the course of our day which are tremendously important and enrich our experience. For our school this year, there have been several gifts provided to us by our students and staff. Our Theater Guild’s wonderful performance of “Anything Goes”, the success of our fall sports squads and the incredible individual performances we witnessed, the generosity of our staff and students in their Adopt a Family holiday initiative, and in the tremendous musical performances this week by our vocal and instrumental groups. As a school, we have been very blessed with these presents and so many more. As the year progresses, we will be proffered many other enhancements to our daily lives that are ripe with meaning, significance, and depth. These gifts Madison Avenue would dismiss, but we will know make our lives enjoyable. May you and your family receive all the gifts you deserve this holiday season.
Happy Holidays,
Jim Lee
Friday, December 21, 2012
Monday, December 17, 2012
Supt. Letter in Response to CT
December 16, 2012
Dear Parents/Guardians,
We are all shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic and heart wrenching incident in Newtown, CT. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and all who have any association with Sandy Hook Elementary School. The school committee and administration continue to work closely with the mayor and police department to keep our students safe, both at school and in the community. We will begin the day on Monday with a moment of silence in all schools and will reassure students that they are safe. You can help your child by reinforcing this message at home.
Our principals, in conjunction with staff, have plans in place to address what happened in Newtown with students in an age appropriate manner and to provide counseling and whatever other support that may be needed. In addition, we will have increased police visibility at our schools beginning on Monday and continuing throughout the school year. The important message that we are sending is that our schools remain safe places for your children, with a heightened awareness and vigilance towards maintaining a safe environment for students and adults in our buildings.
If you have concerns about your child or questions about how to address issues with your child, please call your child’s principal, or guidance counselor. In addition,the following link to the National Association of School Psychologists website, offersresources to help you have conversations with your child. http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/talkingviolence.pdf
At the end of the day tomorrow you will receive an update from your principal as to
what occurred at school.
As always, thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Peter A. Kurzberg
Superintendent of Schools
Dear Parents/Guardians,
We are all shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic and heart wrenching incident in Newtown, CT. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and all who have any association with Sandy Hook Elementary School. The school committee and administration continue to work closely with the mayor and police department to keep our students safe, both at school and in the community. We will begin the day on Monday with a moment of silence in all schools and will reassure students that they are safe. You can help your child by reinforcing this message at home.
Our principals, in conjunction with staff, have plans in place to address what happened in Newtown with students in an age appropriate manner and to provide counseling and whatever other support that may be needed. In addition, we will have increased police visibility at our schools beginning on Monday and continuing throughout the school year. The important message that we are sending is that our schools remain safe places for your children, with a heightened awareness and vigilance towards maintaining a safe environment for students and adults in our buildings.
If you have concerns about your child or questions about how to address issues with your child, please call your child’s principal, or guidance counselor. In addition,the following link to the National Association of School Psychologists website, offersresources to help you have conversations with your child. http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/talkingviolence.pdf
At the end of the day tomorrow you will receive an update from your principal as to
what occurred at school.
As always, thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Peter A. Kurzberg
Superintendent of Schools
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Yearbook Information
Dear Parents of Seniors at BHS:
The final day to submit yearbook orders is this Friday, December 14th. The price is $95. Yearbooks would make an excellent idea for a graduation gift from a grandparent or other relatives. You can order by credit card on the publisher’s website directly (www.jostens.com), or send a check made out to “Braintree Activities Fund” with the name, address, and homeroom of your son or daughter. Place the check in an envelope addressed to the Yearbook Box in house 1. Yearbooks should be pre-ordered now in order to receive them in May. Only a few extra yearbooks are ordered by the yearbook staff. Personal Ads are also due for submission at this time. Order forms are available on the yearbook page of our school website.
Thank you.
Marsha Roos
Business Advisor
Wampatuck Yearbook
781-848-4000 x2274
The final day to submit yearbook orders is this Friday, December 14th. The price is $95. Yearbooks would make an excellent idea for a graduation gift from a grandparent or other relatives. You can order by credit card on the publisher’s website directly (www.jostens.com), or send a check made out to “Braintree Activities Fund” with the name, address, and homeroom of your son or daughter. Place the check in an envelope addressed to the Yearbook Box in house 1. Yearbooks should be pre-ordered now in order to receive them in May. Only a few extra yearbooks are ordered by the yearbook staff. Personal Ads are also due for submission at this time. Order forms are available on the yearbook page of our school website.
Thank you.
Marsha Roos
Business Advisor
Wampatuck Yearbook
781-848-4000 x2274
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