Good evening,
As the daylight gets shorter we are reminded that almost everything comes full circle and that what we have the most control over is our own responses to everything around us. It is our hope that we teach ourselves and our students to ensure that we surround ourselves with a close circle of people who are kind and honest, who want what is best for us, who can admit when they make a mistake and that can accept our apologies. All of these people that we call our circle do a little more, support a little more and give a little more in order for us to feel supported and understood. As the quote below states, if they do not we should get a new circle. Sadly, that is rarer than we think and too often people settle.
"Your circle should want you to win. your circle should clap the loudest when you have good news. If they don't, get a new circle."
We must create a world where people understand depth and detail rather than living by just enough. The beautiful story at the end of this paragraph, should you choose to read it, reminds me that as the advertisement for champion products states- “it takes a little MORE to be a champion”.
Our focus here within FLRSD continues to be on both ensuring that we remain positive and doing a little more while continuing to help our students strive for personal excellence rather than taking the easy way. This includes ensuring we are not turning our backs on others.
The grand history that has been Freetown-Lakeville RSD is filled with stories of excellence, success, support, overcoming odds, and developing core values that have built foundations of success throughout the country and abroad. Without question, we have much more work to do so that all of our students feel heard, are given pathways to be successful and are emotionally connected, so they have the tools necessary to succeed. We must and will address inequity, applaud success and never be content with “good enough” being our belief system.
In many different ways, you have applauded those within our schools who subscribe to the mantra of the Champion advertisement and your positivity has made a difference with your student(s) and with each other. The faculty and staff are not only dedicated to the success of every student, but so many are also the epitome of excellence and are incessantly showing they are driven to do a little more. So many find ways daily to ensure that our students' various learning styles are embraced and that inclusivity is brought into our teaching and learning. We will continue as a community to understand the experiences of others, and the struggles that are different from ours, in order to fulfill our district WHY? The success of our students. That is, and always will be, our priority.
As much as the past few years have left those who in work nationally in schools the subject of some unwarranted negativity, I applaud those who have made doing a little more their calling card: Faculty and Staff, Assistant Principals, Team Chairs, Secretaries, Paraprofessionals, Food Service, Maintenance and Custodial staff, IT and Library staff, Nurses, Counselors, Coaches, Schedulers, Advisors who daily refuse to do just enough, should be applauded and thanked.I know they deeply appreciate all of the support you continue to give them when for too many, negativity is easier. Thank you to our Central Office Administration and Staff, Town Employees, Town Officials, School Committee, and all of our community partners who support the work our school staff is doing each day, both behind the scenes and in very visible ways.
Everyone mentioned above, allows our students to be present, engaged and empowered within their own experience rather than simply a bystander in their own life. Those gifts then allow our students to live in a world where helping “one turtle” matters.
Have a great week everyone
Alan
Alan Strauss, Superintendent
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter( X) @FLRSDsuper
Extended Day Programs
The Extended Programs is looking for talented, qualified candidates to work with students at the Before School Program, After School Program, or both for all schools. If interested please contact lpacheco@freelake.org for more information.
Maintenance and Grounds opening
If you or someone you know is looking to join a positive team of dedicated employees FLRSD is looking to hire. Please Contact Greg Goodwin, our fantastic Director of Facilities at ggoodwin@freelake.org
STEM week
Although each school will highlight their wonderful stem activities in their message below I wanted to applaud all of our teachers, administrators and Teri Fleming our Director of Curriculum for their efforts to make this come alive. The towers, bridges, Rube Goldberg machines, zoo habitats, prosthesis models and collaboration between high school and elementary students were very impressive.
AES Door and Window Project
All of the windows as you know have been installed and our second floor classrooms for art and music are now accessible.
The door portion of the project has been delayed as the manufacturer, not the contractor, produced 15 incorrect door sizes. The doors are being fabricated at the expense of the manufacturer and are a priority to have returned on site ASAP.
We will be returning aftercare to AES beginning on Oct 30th.I want to thank all of the parents who picked up their children from GRAIS for your patience and also thank Lisa Pacheco and her wonderful team for their continued flexibility and professionalism.
ART/PSA opportunity
To all of our talented students- here is an opportunity to allow your creativity to flourish with this incredibly important message!.We will be hanging up all entries in our schools! Good luck!
2023-2024 Poster & Public Service Announcement (PSA)
The theme for this school year's project is: Respect, Give It, Get it. What does RESPECT look like to you? Respect your classmates, school & community. Respect yourself. Respect others' opinions. Respect opponents and officials in sports. Respect individual differences. Respect personal styles. Respect ideas and values. Respect others' feelings. Respect laws, rule, decisions and institutions. Respect others' choices. Be a reflection of what you would like to receive. If you want respect, give respect. Being respectful means you care enough to think about what you say and do because you want to make a positive impact on others, so what you give out returns to you.
The deadline for poster submissions is Friday, January 26, 2024. The deadline for PSA submissions is Friday, April 26, 2024. For additional information, please contact Margie Daniels, Executive Director, at margie@mpyinc.org or Wendy Leone at wendy@mpyinc.org.
Freetown Lakeville Soccer Club
The Freetown Lakeville Soccer Club encourages members of all ages and programs to attend an upcoming Apponequet Regional High School Varsity Soccer Game. Show your hometown spirit! Bring your youth soccer player to a high school varsity soccer game. This is a great opportunity to showcase our talented varsity players while also helping out younger players see their potential with practice and perseverance! Girls varsity is Tuesday, October 24th at 4:15 pm versus West Bridgewater (wear pink!). Boys varsity is Thursday, October 26th at 5:00 PM versus Middleboro (wear navy blue!).
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.