Good evening FLRSD,
I recently read a message from someone who is clearly a wonderful soul to someone battling a progressive form of cancer and the words resonated in so many ways: “I wish I could make this “less” for you. Less worrisome, less fear, less of the unknown, less pain; taking up so much of your mind, heart and soul. Life can be so wonderful and so unfair all in the same”
Reflecting on these powerful words I navigated the emotions that both the writer and the recipient would have, and of course revisited the old adage of quality over quantity, moments over things and organic experiences vs manufactured ones. As I often do, I try to embrace the power of statements and determine how they can fit into my daily life. The words “making this less for you” certainly fit into the narrative of want vs need and embracing what we have, rather than opine for what we do not. The story below, which was shared by a student many years ago, reiterates the importance of “more vs less” and loving what we have! So often I am left thinking what is enough and if we as a society continue to need and receive the latest and greatest, at what point will we be numb to appreciation of anything.
What I Learned About What Others Have
We, myself certainly included, like “things”(some love material things: trips, vehicles, or jewelry...) and no one should denounce others for what they have or do not have nor should anyone feel badly for what one has or doesn’t have. I heard someone say once, being spoiled has nothing to do with what one accumulates (from the biggest house, latest technology, to the newest trend etc), but rather spoiled is when we do not treat what we have around us with appreciation and/or when we denounce what others do not have as a personal “failure” on their part. This might be true in regard to things yet it is especially true in how we treat people. How we treat others, who either can do nothing for us or are simply doing their job, is far more telling than treating those who can help us with “ purposeful kindness”.
The picture below (now in text form) is a daily reminder for me that speaks to this very question. I was fortunate to be a faculty member working with a group of students (all grades) who were asked this very question - what do we need less of and what do we need more of. They first asked to reflect on the question for themselves and then for the world - the discussions were remarkable. It certainly is a great question for all of us. After all we must continue to remember we cannot control the behavior of others, simply our reactions to them.
Less apathy, more love
Less quarreling, more peace
Less judgement, more acceptance
Less worry, more trust
Less complaining more gratitude
Less routine, more adventures
Less imbalance, more harmony
Less expectation, more wonder
Less business, more purpose
Less ego, more soul
Less pessimism, more optimism
Less walls, more bridges
Less distraction, more awareness
Less mind, more heart
Less taking, more giving
Less resistance, more flow
As we work daily with so many of our Faculty, Staff, Paraprofessionals, Principals,Assistant Principals, Nurses, Administrative Assistants, Secretaries, Schedulers, Counselors, School Psychologists, Directors, Team Chairs, Athletic trainer, SRO, IT and Library Staff, Maintenance, Food Service and Custodial staff, First Responders,as well as Central Office and the Administrative staff, School Committee, Town Officials, as well as all of our wonderful community partners, it is important to not take any of the aforementioned for granted. These people send kindness, carry a wonderful work ethic and unremitting appreciation for all we have within the district all of which are truly empowering examples for our students.
Be well, be safe and I hope we can appreciate all we have and maybe want a little less of those things that do not fulfill us.
Alan
Alan Strauss, Superintendent
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February 5 - 9 is National School Counseling Week!
Thank you to each of our school and adjustment counselors who do such incredibly important work for students, families and staff!
Special Education Meeting Update
Following February break, all IEP Team meetings will be held in person. While there is convenience of virtual meetings for both families and staff, the human connection that is made within an in-person meeting is invaluable and is often missing on a virtual platform.
Moving forward, please know that although IEP meetings will be set up as in-person meetings, you will still have the right to request a virtual meeting if that works best for you and your schedule. You will simply need to inform us when you receive your meeting notification and we will accommodate this request. If you have an IEP meeting that has already been scheduled during the month of February and it is set up as a virtual meeting, it is simply because this meeting was scheduled prior to the Special Education team deciding to make this change. If you would like to change the virtual meeting in February to an in-person meeting, please contact the Special Education Scheduler, Heather Ashley, at hashley@freelake.org or at (508) 923-2000 ext. 1709.
Lastly, there have been some changes in our security procedures since 2020 and in order to enter a school building you will need to provide valid identification. When coming to your IEP meeting, please ensure that you have your license or other state-issued identification with you, as it will need to be used to create your visitors badge. If you do not have this with you, you will be denied access to the building and your meeting will need to be rescheduled.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me:
Ashley Bouley, Director of Student Services
abouley@freelake.org or (508) 923-2000 ext. 1711
Pre-School
FLRSD is now accepting applications for 3-year-old community role model peers for the 2024/2025 school year! Children must be residents of Freetown/Lakeville and turn age 3 between September 1, 2023 and August 31, 2024. For more information about the program and/or to access the registration packet & role model questionnaire, please visit the district’s website at www.freelake.org.
Extended Day Programs
Registration for the Freetown-Lakeville Extended Programs Vacation Club is now underway. The Vacation Club is to provide parents with quality care during school vacation weeks that incorporates enrichment classes, recreation and group activities. The forms can be found online on all school sites and under Extended Programs on the District page.
Kids Cafe Summer Camp is seeking teachers and instructors to conduct classes from 8:00-Noon for camp. For more information please contact lpacheco@freelake.org
FLRSD Polar Plunge
We're fundraising for Special Olympics Massachusetts because we believe that sports are the gateway to building confidence, lifelong friendships, and becoming leaders in the community. We're asking for your donation because it will fund inclusive experiences for more than 14,000 Special Olympics athletes and 15,000+ volunteers in Massachusetts. If you'd like to do more than donate -- take the plunge as a member of our team! Please click here to view the flyer. Polar Plunge
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.