Good evening FLRSD Community,
I want to first wish a happy holiday to all of our families who are celebrating Rosh Hashanah this weekend.
As we head into the middle of September, which went by far too quickly, we are reminded that the fall season is upon us. The “joy” of leaves turning color, football games, chillier nights by the firepit and everything that represents fall to you.Whether I am turning on the news, hearing of struggles somewhere in our global community or spending time with someone in a conversation, I am quickly brought back to the idea that so much of our life is based upon the perspective we bring to everything. Thomas Edison brought to life the thinking that even in times of struggle, our perspective determines the next steps. Many people do not know he tried two thousand different materials in search of a filament for the light bulb. When none worked satisfactorily, his assistant complained, “All our work is in vain. We have learned nothing, and I am not sure we can ever use any electricity properly.” To which Edison replied very confidently, “Oh, we have come a long way and we have learned a lot. We know that there are two thousand elements which we cannot use to make a good light bulb.”
I watch the faculty and staff of FLRSD each day encourage our students to see the light, to be the change and to see through the darkness, to find the filament. We firmly believe in teaching lessons of perspective to all of our students, in whatever path they take. They will be better suited to persevere in healthy ways, the adversity that each will face in one form or another throughout their lives will not place them in darkness. I applaud our faculty and staff and so many of you, for being such beacons of hope, positive role models and for teaching the most important lessons to our children every day.
And the lesson that walks seamlessly with perspective, is the idea that regardless of the situation around us, we must never lose sight of understanding and practicing kindness.
Our mission here is focused on not only academic achievement and developing students to be successful in whatever path they decide to take, but to encourage empathy, to be kind, and to respect others for who they are. This story is a powerful one that reminds everyone that simple gestures of kindness, whether people become friends afterwards or not, will mean more than we could ever know. I hope you enjoy it and that it resonates to a time when someone was kind to you. A Lesson in Kindness
It is very clear to me we are blessed to work with students who, regardless of grade level, academic standing, interest or pathway are inquisitive and searching for answers in their own beautiful ways through a lens of kindness. Their mosaic of learning styles and interests are incredibly powerful and their personal narratives and experiences are poignant and filled with a myriad of feelings/responses that remind us all that we must spend more time listening and less time reacting. Our goal as a thriving and vibrant school community is to incessantly provide relevant, high quality, inclusive, rigorous, and well rounded experiences for all of our students. One “type” of education does not address the needs of all learners and all learners excel differently and at very different times and that is always at the forefront of our thinking.
Thankfully, I see daily throughout the district so many of our Principals, Associate Principals, Directors, Faculty, Secretaries, Paraprofessionals, Staff, Advisors, Coaches, Nurses, IT, Library Staff, Counselors, Special Education Staff and Schedulers, our SRO, Maintenance, Custodial and Food Service Staff, Central Office Administration and Staff, each of whom encourages and practices creativity and kindness and deserve our thanks. We thank our Town Officials, First Responders, School Committee, and our Business and Community Partners who seek to guide and support this work, as well as our passionate and invested parents many of whom I have see either at a game, or a PTO/SEPAC/Boosters meeting and incessantly each has had positive and appreciative things to say. Yet even when there is disagreement or discourse it is usually done with kindness and appreciation and that is vital for our students to see and model.
May your week be filled with kind people who come to you to seek guidance and may you choose kindness within your response, just as it is my hope when you seek guidance that is returned with warmth, patience and a smile.
Be safe and be in peace
Alan
Alan Strauss, Superintendent astrauss@freelake.org
follow FLRSD on Twitter @FLRSDsuper
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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
DRINKING WATER
Our campus schools had previously been given a drinking water advisory which was sent to each of you per regulations. It was important to us that everyone understand the cause, and the remedy that is taking place.The attachment below is from our Director of Facilities Greg Goodwin who is in constant contact with Ed Cullen from the Lakeville Health Department and Nate Darling, building commissioner. As Greg and Ed always do, we will continue to monitor and resolve this issue. Drinking Water Update.pdf
UNIFIED BASKETBALL
SAVE THE DATES! SEPT 25, OCT 11, Oct 16
WE INVITE YOU TO AGAIN ROCK THE HOUSE and show an even greater amount of support by joining us for a remarkable afternoon of basketball, community and inclusion! More to follow!
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!