Welcome back. The new year promises to be very exciting

Beginning around the first week in November, assuming that the state gives final approval of the district's construction plans, ground breaking will take place at all five Herricks' schools.

Most, though not all, of the construction is due to be completed in time for the start of the 2002/03 school year. The additional space is much needed. As enrollments have grown over the past several years our schools have become more and more crowded. Space will be the tightest ever this year.

Having construction under way while schools are in session will make this a difficult school year. We ask for your patience and understanding. Every effort will be made to ensure the safety of staff, students and visitors and we will try to have the work done in a way which will disrupt the education process as little as possible. Some disruption, however, is inevitable and we would ask that you bear with us. The results will be worth the effort.

The academic results of the 2000-01 school year were superb. Clearly, the results place Herricks among the top tier of school districts in the United States. As many districts in New York State struggle to meet the new higher minimum standards imposed by the New York State Board of Regents, the Herricks community should take pride in the fact that the vast majority of its children far exceed the standards. That does not, however, lessen our task. We must continue to push to ensure that each student reaches his or her own full potential and in the process develops the character and discipline necessary to make a positive contribution to the world.

Over the course of the past several months, we have hired a number of new teachers and administrators. Although there is a shortage of highly qualified educators in the United States Herricks has been fortunate to attract some extremely talented people. We look forward to seeing all of the students, new and old, on Tuesday, Sept. 4 as we begin our new school year.