The holiday season is always a special time particularly as we look ahead to a New Year. This time of year is one of reflection, gratitude, and appreciation. When thinking about our schools, I am thankful for the extraordinary support our community has given the school system. What we give in return is a staff and program that is committed and dedicated to providing the best for their children.

As the projects we are working on advance toward completion, we feel the sense of satisfaction and reward for doing an excellent job while supporting each other's hard work and ideas for improvement. Our staff is genuinely dedicated and I feel very lucky to work with them in making a difference in the lives of our students.

This time of the year is about giving and how we can go about making a difference. Each day in our schools we have an opportunity to make a difference. So, as a superintendent, I smile about that. Why? Because I do not think it is too far-fetched to believe that the uniqueness of this time could spread throughout the year sharing the mission, warmth, and respect for people everywhere.

Regardless of your orientation to season, I think this poem says so much to what schools try to do for our children -

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a figure in the distance. As he got closer, he realized the figure was a child picking something up and gently throwing

it in the ocean. Approaching the child, he asked, "What are you doing?"The child replied, "Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them back, they'll die."

"Listen child," the man said, "don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can't possibly make a difference!"

After listening politely, the child bent down, picked up another starfish, and gently threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, the child said, "I made a difference for that one." --- Author unknown

My sincere best wishes to you and your families for a Happy Holiday and New Year.

Lorenzo Licopoli

Superintendent of Schools