Good evening and welcome back to entire FLRSD community,
With the first week complete, it truly is hard to believe that just 3 months ago, on June 2nd, we were proudly sending the Class of 2023 off to either the military, the workforce or post secondary schooling. We are thrilled to welcome both the class of 2036 and all of our new students and families to FLRSD, as well as welcoming back all of our returning students and families for another exciting year.
This communication is an opportunity to streamline multiple messages from schools into a single source and it will also be our weekly school communication to keep you updated on meetings, events, reminders and other school and community related activities. Please be sure to scroll to the end to see our quick link section for your convenience. This will be sent to everyone in Grades PK-Transition while keeping it as compartmentalized as possible for easier navigating. Each school will also continue to send specific school based messages and notices when applicable.
SAFETY
As discussed in my back to school message, our vestibule project is finished at all schools( AES is being completed with the door and window project) and we are very pleased with the results. Please remember that everyone must have proper identification that will be verified through our Raptor system.
We will continue to work to determine our next security safety measures. As mentioned last year Senator Rodrigues was able to appropriate $75,000 for safety upgrades to the 3 campus schools.
SPORTS
Fall sports have started at both the MS and HS and we hope your family will come to a game, regardless of the grade your student is in. ALL Sports schedules are below in the information box labeled Arbiter.
SEPAC
With the school year starting, the FreeLake SEPAC wanted to introduce ourselves and provide some info on upcoming meetings/events. While SEPACs are created by law to represent families of children with disabilities, we are striving to create an inclusive, supporting and welcoming community for ALL students and families. This past year we hosted a presentation on anxiety, which is impacting students of all ages, which was very well attended. We hope to provide more opportunities for similar events this year.
Our 2023 - 2024 Board members:
Jessica Ollerhead - co-chair, Melissa McKenna - co-chair, Melissa Goguen - secretary
Our first meeting is on September 12 @ 6:30 pm in the Apponequet library.
Student Service Meet & Greet - 9/12/23 - Superintendent Strauss, Ashley Bouley and the entire Student Services Department will be in attendance. Please know that you are always welcome at any of our events.
DIVERSITY COALITION
During the 2021-2022 school year, former Superintendent Medeiros created a Diversity Coalition that would jumpstart the conversation within the community on ensuring the district was focused on all students feeling a sense of belonging within the district. The group, which met monthly, included parents, community members and staff who came with a wide variety of beliefs.The group does not form policy, however this year will be presenting occasionally to the School Committee. The coalition encourages you to attend.
If you are interested in being involved this year, or possibly helping to co-lead this group please let Principal Ward at mward@freelake.org or myself at astrauss@freelake.org
The smiles, the anticipation and the joy of the first week of school was on full display this past week. Our students, throughout all buildings were excited - although some were weary from the early morning wake up or the heat, and some were anxious at what the year will bring - the joy of coming back was clear in the smiles and laughter. Everyone was met by staff that were so incredibly positive, that I was moved by their excitement. It’s one reason so many students found their former teachers to say “hi” after the summer break. As I walked all of the buildings, I was also reminded of the incredible work our maintenance and custodial teams do each summer, getting buildings ready for a new school year and we must thank them for their efforts.
When our communities come together on behalf of all our students and understand the interconnectedness we have with each other, great things will continue to happen as our history of excellence shows. Yet, past success does not mean we will stop looking to grow and continue to educate all of our students to be prepared for the future so that their passions and interests are cultivated. After all, “If we are not moving forward, we are going backwards”.
Incredibly, tomorrow is the 22nd anniversary of 9/11, and knowing that other than a couple of our amazing adult transition students, not a single student in FLRSD was even born at the time of the horrifying attacks on our beautiful country, is sobering and we must never forget to teach some of the lessons learned. At the top of the list it is vital to remember that life is precious and joyful and that every person matters and this week’s story is a perfect reminder of that.
Everyone within FLRSD is here to take care of ALL of our students, while taking care of themselves and their loved ones. As I always will, I encourage you to thank our Principals, Associate Principals, Directors, Nurses, Faculty, Counselors, Teachers, Paraprofessionals, Secretaries, IT and Library Staff, SRO, Food Service, Maintenance and Custodial Staffs, Coaches, Advisors as well as Central Office Administration Staff and School Committee, while never forgetting both town councils, our first responders, town employees and community partners. The understanding, and incessant belief that every child matters is vital to a transparent, interconnected, successful, and vibrant school community for our students and staff and more importantly it is needed to keep our balance and our positivity.
Be well, be joyful and most of all be … in peace.
Have a wonderful week everyone,
Alan
Alan Strauss, Superintendent - astrauss@freelake.org
follow us on Twitter @FLRSDsuper
on Instagram @FLRSDsuper
Freetown Lakeville Regional School District School Links
Please click on the link(s) below for district information and easy access to your child’s school news
FLRSD: News | Freetown Lakeville Regional School District
ARHS: Apponequet Regional High School News
FLMS: Freetown Lakeville Middle School News
GRAIS: George R. Austin Intermediate School News
AES: Assawompset Elementary Schools News
FES: Freetown Elementary School News
Below please find links to important forms and information. These are located on our website but hope this may assist you in locating them quickly (we will continue to add to this and if you have suggestions on what would be helpful to add please let us know) Thank you for the latest suggestions!