Good evening everyone,
Incredibly, October is fully upon us and fall is as always, leaving the commonwealth colorful, festive and wonderfully optimistic despite the annual change of temperature. For many who love the heat, maybe time near the water, and the occasional humidity that summer brings, the summer is too short and many opine for its return already. For many others, waiting all year for snowfall and the beauty within the briskness of the winter cold, the wait is far too long. And although both passions are incredibly fulfilling too often we lose sight of having more than enough and enjoying the moment.
This story was shared with me a number of years ago after my son was born and realized the life anticipated was not going to go on the path expected and from that day on(with a few moments of sadness of the unknown sprinkled in) we all realized what a beautiful path his journey has taken us on.It has been a gentle and sometimes not so gentle reminder of what “having enough” and “being enough” really focuses on. I hope in some small or large way, you find some meaning within the words. We certainly and understandably all want “more” for our own loved ones, including ourselves(I certainly do as I watch my daughter and her husband grow their family and flourish in their new careers) and in our own way, for our own personal reasons we are at times frustrated with our situation and situations around us.
As our wonderful students are guided by a talented staff who continues to teach, develop habits of mind and a love of learning daily, FLRSD collaboratively, diligently, methodically, and carefully focuses on the needs of our students, families and staff and those needs remain at the forefront of all decisions that are made. I hope that we all continue to take the lessons from this story and bring them back to what happens daily within the District and within our beautiful towns!
“At an airport, I overheard a father and daughter in their last moments together before she was to take off. They had announced her plane's departure and standing near the door, he said to his daughter, "I love you, I wish you more than enough."
She said, "Daddy, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Daddy." They kissed goodbye and she left.
He walked over toward the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say goodbye to someone not knowing what comes next and I am not sick so this is not meant as something awful?" "Yes, I have," I replied.
Saying that, brought back memories I had of not expressing my love and appreciation for all my Dad and Mom, and so many people, had done for me over the years. Recognizing that I had not done it enough, I committed at that moment to take the time to tell each of them face to face (or by voice if they were too far away) how much they meant to me. I fully knew what this man was experiencing when I began reaching out to those who were so good to me.
"When you were saying goodbye I heard you say, 'I wish you more than enough.' May I ask what that means?"
He began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone." He paused for a moment and looking up as if trying to remember it in detail, he smiled even more. "When we said 'I wish you more than enough,' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with enough good things to sustain them," he continued and then turning toward me he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory:
"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I wish you just enough small pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy some of your wants. I wish you just enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish you enough "Hello's" to get you through the "Goodbyes." He then began to walk away. And I thought, as dark as it sounded, that there was always the chance he might never see his daughter again.
I realized then that although I had more than “enough” in my life, I certainly needed this reminder that “enough” of the right things is what is most important and I needed to stop complaining about what I didn’t have that never would have been “enough” to make my soul happy anyway.
Author unknown.
When I look around at our wonderful two towns and our district, I am touched by how much our Teachers, Counselors, Special Education Staff and Schedulers, Principals, Assistant Principals, Nurses, Curriculum Leaders, Paraprofessionals, Library and IT Staff, SRO, Coaches, Advisors, Maintenance, Food Service and Custodial Staff give each day so that our students have “enough” positives here so that when they leave each year and move on to the next grade or journey, they are prepared for what awaits them. I am beyond thankful that our Central Office Administration and Staff, School Committee, First Responders, Town Officials and Community Partners fully support the vision and mission of providing all students “more than enough” of what they truly need to be everything they deserve to be. When you have a chance, thank them, as I thank them and you, for all the guidance, support, love, encouragement and even accountability your student receives each day. And, it is my hope that each of you always “have more than enough” of what matters most: Love, support, opportunity, laughter, and kindness.
Have a “more than enough week” and please wish the same for those you know and those who care for our students everyday! Let them know you care!
Be safe, be healthy, and always be …. In peace
Alan
Alan Strauss, Superintendent- astrauss@freelake.org
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INCLEMENT WEATHER
The realization that winter is hinting at its arrival( after all, stores are already putting out decorations) reminds me that, in my role as Superintendent, knowing how we handle delays, early release and cancellations are vital for you to be able to prepare, adjust accordingly and above all must the information must be as transparent and easily accessible as possible.
Therefore, I will be putting out our communication plan for weather related occurrences in our next Sunday message.
October 3-7 was National Digital Inclusion Week, which will highlight efforts to increase student access to technology. In Massachusetts, advocates and partners will be promoting the Affordable Connectivity Program, which offers eligible households a $30 monthly discount for internet services and a $100 discount off certain devices. Schools and districts can:
Freetown Lakeville Regional School District School Links
Please click on the link(s) below to go to your child’s school News!
FLRSD: https://www.freelake.org/news
ARHS: https://www.freelake.org/o/arhs/news
FLMS: https://www.freelake.org/o/flms/news
GRAIS: https://www.freelake.org/o/grais/news
AES: https://www.freelake.org/o/aes/news
FES: https://www.freelake.org/o/fes/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!