2008 September Loring Link
From the Superintendent
Happy New Year. The 2008-09 school year will be another great year for your children. I just came from welcoming our staff back for the upcoming year and I have to say that I was as uplifted as I could possibly be in seeing and hearing the staff talk about wonderful summer adventures and their outlook for the upcoming year. I can assure you that everyone associated with Sudbury Public Schools is positive, optimistic and ready to continue our work to Improve on Excellence.
A number of parents have asked me how things are going. They were aware that we had to replace three principals and an assistant principal, we had a reduction-in-force at the end of last year and a number of good staff have moved on, that class size will be larger in several of our classrooms, that kindergarten and first grade will have no assistants, that fees went up considerably, that bus routes have been pared, and that we face the challenges of greater accountability standards with fewer people and smaller budget. Well there is no denying that this is our reality; but as I looked around in the auditorium on opening day, I saw a quality, professional educator in every occupied seat. As professionals, we will face these challenges and as the old adage says, ‘when the storm clouds blow in, we learn to work in the rain.” For us, excellence is a habit – we’ve demonstrated it continually, it is part of our DNA, it defines the expectations we have for ourselves regardless of what others might expect. You won’t hear any excuses, you won’t hear disparaging comments, you won’t hear us defining our happiness by what we don’t have, but rather by what we are blessed to have.
The issues I mentioned, especially the personnel changes, including the new administrators at three of our schools, certainly create some “churn” in the system. People who are not close to us may even worry about what this means or what is happening. But our district and schools are bigger and stronger than a single person. Our success and strength is in our culture, in the spirit and professionalism of our educators, and in the support and contribution of our parents. These are not changing. Plus we have hired some darn good people.
The leadership team of Jeff Dees and David Ieong at Loring, working with a staff that I know is invigorated and committed, is going to be outstanding. Kim Swain’s move across the hall to the principal’s office with Emily Dolan as lead teacher gives Haynes a look to the future and will create an environment of secure risk-taking to stretch and achieve. We were extremely fortunate that an educator, the caliber of Paul Lamoureaux, would accept our offer to lead Curtis Middle School this year. While his appointment will only be for one year, Paul’s experience and knowledge of middle schools and adolescents, along with the efforts of our house administrators, counselors, team leaders, and the rest of the staff, cause excitement about this year.
Adding to our strength of staff is the strong, supportive and educationally focused school committee that are fighting back, and fighting for us within the community. This work may be under the radar, but they are true advocates for our students, our staff and our future.
I keep saying that the foundation of our district is not changing but it is being challenged and what happens is really up to us. There are those in town who are focused solely on taxes and the numbers associated with controlling costs. For them, there is little regard for quality or opportunities. Don’t get me wrong, believe me I get it about taxes, and controlling costs must be a factor in everything we do and the decisions we make. It has been said that you get what you tolerate, so let’s agree together not tolerate a watering down of who we are and what we expect. The SPS culture of excellence, strong work ethic, collaboration, an openness to talk and listen to each other, an involved, supportive parent community, and a commitment to every child who attends our schools, has been built over the years. Change is not to be feared, optimism is not to be stifled, if we have a clear vision of where we are going, why we are going there, who is going with us and how we’re going to get there. I think this exists and that is why I remain optimistic and accept the challenges that we will face together.
Approximately 3,220 eager, happy, creative, inquisitive and deserving students will enter our schoolhouse doors this year. For those of us lucky enough to work with them, they too are a reason for optimism.
Have a wonderful year.
John Brackett
Superintendent
From the Principal’s Office
Dear Loring School Community,
“There is much more opportunity than there are people to see it.”
Thomas Edison
The individual whose attitude causes them to approach life from an entirely positive perspective is not always understood. They are what some people would call a “no-limit person.” In other words, they do not accept normal limitations of life like most people. They are unwilling to accept “the accepted” just because it is accepted. Their response to self limiting conditions will probably be a “Why?” instead of an “Okay.” They have limitations in their life. Their gifts are not so plentiful that they cannot fail. But they have determined to walk to the very edge of their potential before accepting defeat.
According to a theory of aerodynamics, as demonstrated through the wind tunnel tests, the bumblebee should be unable to fly. Because of the size, weight, shape of their body in relationship to the total wing spread, flying is scientifically impossible. The bumblebee, being ignorant of scientific theory, goes ahead and flies anyway and makes honey every day.
On one freezing December night in 1914 the cry “Fire!” echoed through a plant. Thomas Edison had been working on the nickel-iron-alkaline storage battery for ten years. Spontaneous combustion had broken out in the chemical room. Fire companies from eight surrounding towns arrived. Everything had been destroyed within minutes. Soon they heard a voice shouting. It was the inventor yelling to his son, “Where’s mom?” “Go get her, Son! Tell her to hurry up and bring her friends! They’ll never see a fire like this again!” Early the next morning, long before dawn, with the fire barely under control, Edison called his employees together and made an incredible announcement. “We’re rebuilding!”
Attitude is everything! Our positive attitude toward this upcoming year will make us great! A new year brings hope, promise and dreams. In order for us to reach those dreams and to realize the hope we must work diligently and present a can do attitude. We need your help in this area. Your continued support is very much appreciated and needed in order for us to provide the children of the Loring School the very best education in America. They deserve nothing less!!!
As you know we have reached a crossroads and failure is not an option. The recent letter from the Department of Education centered on School Improvement has given us a great opportunity to move the Loring School from a great school to an outstanding school. We do have much to do and many changes to make and with your support we will reach our desired goals and aspirations. What an opportunity!!!
Murphy’s Law- “Nothing is as easy a it looks; everything takes longer than you expect; and if anything can go wrong, it will and at the worst possible moment.”
Loring’s Law- “Nothing is as hard as it looks; everything is more rewarding than you expect; and if anything can go right it will and at the best possible moment.”
Dare To Dream,
Mr. Dees
From the Assistant Principal
Hello, and greetings to all in the Loring School community. I am thrilled to be writing to you as your Assistant Principal. It definitely felt a little sad stepping out of my roll as music teacher after nine years at Loring, but it’s an honor to start “principal-ing” right here at my favorite school! I look forward to seeing all those familiar smiling faces of students, staff, and parents, and hope that you all feel comfortable seeking me out and saying hello; although my job has changed, I’m still the same Mr. Ieong that cares deeply about this school and wants only to see the best teaching and learning happening at Loring.
As we begin our year, I want everyone to remember and think about our Core Values:
*Respect – Every person at Loring (kids and adults) deserves to be listened to and treated like the important person they are.
*Caring – Always be thinking of others and what they might need from you to stay happy and healthy. Then share it with them!
*Responsibility – Always do what is expected of you and keep your promises.
*Best Effort – Give 100% when you are at Loring, whether you are learning, playing, or spending time with another person.
I wish everyone a great 2008-2009 year, and I’ll see you at school!
Mr. Ieong
From The PTO Co-Chairs
Welcome back to school! We hope that your family had an enjoyable summer and that you and your children are excited to start a new school year at Loring! The PTO is looking forward to a fun and eventful year!
Please give a warm welcome to Robin Cavanaugh, our new PTO Co-Chair. Thank you Robin for your willingness to take on the roll of Co-Chair with so much enthusiasm. I would also like to welcome Kathy Kinzfogl as our new Assistant Treasurer. Kathy will be working with current Treasurer, Tanya Broadbent. And a special thank you to Marisa Peek who returns for her second year as Secretary.
Special thanks to Diane Weisman and Maria Dawson for coordinating an incredible “Welcome Back Teacher Luncheon”. It is such a nice way to welcome back all of our teachers and staff to Loring. And huge thanks to Leslie Hamilton for coordinating and labeling over 600 red folders to be ready for the first day of school!
The PTO is always looking for volunteers. Please visit our website at www.loringpto.org to find out more about volunteer opportunities at Loring. If you are interested in volunteering you may do so directly through the website under the volunteer tab. We have some PTO supported events coming up soon. Look for notices and e-mails with information about Fall Book Fair, Innisbrook Fundraiser, Open School Night, Picture Day and more.
Important Dates:
School Picture Day – Tuesday, September 16th with a rain date of Tuesday, 23th.
Photos will be taken by The Robbs of Wayland. Please contact Lynne Pellegrino at (978)443-5045 if you are available to help on picture day.
Curriculum Night –Thusday, October 2
Watch for specific details coming home soon.
We are looking forward to working with Jeff Dees and David Ieong. We will be working together to finalize the dates for the PTO meetings and the events during the first few weeks of school.
Susan Smith Robin Cavanaugh
978-443-6874 978-443-4605
Skmksmith@comcast.net rmcavanaugh@verizon.net
Nurse’s Notes
Reminders
As the school year begins, parents are inundated with forms to complete or submit; several of them are for the Health Office. If you have not yet sent in these forms, please do so as soon as possible.
- Physical examinations reports for 4th graders, kindergarteners and all students new to Loring School
- Proof of immunizations for new students and kindergarteners
- Completed Emergency Information Forms
- Permission form for administration of Tylenol, Advil and/or Benadryl, if you would like me to give these medications as needed.
- Interval Health History to inform me of any changes related to your child’s health, such as medications taken at home
Nutrition
Please encourage your children to eat breakfast. I often see children before lunchtime with complaints of headaches or stomachaches because they are hungry. Breakfast provides our bodies and our brains with fuel that is necessary to be alert and learn. Please encourage your children to come to school with full tanks!
Food Allergies
We have many children with various food allergies in our school. Peanuts and tree nuts are the most common allergies. Many of our grades or individual classrooms are peanut and nut-restricted to make them safer for those with these allergies. If you have received a letter stating that your child is in one of these classes, please be sure that you do not send for snack any foods that contain nuts or peanuts or their products (eg. peanut oil). You will need to check labels carefully. Thank you for helping to keep all of our students safe.
Request
The health room is in need of pants to keep on hand in case children need an emergency change. I can also use some short sleeve shirts. Any donations of these items will be appreciated.
Wishing you all a safe and healthy school year,
Lynn Hersh R.N.
Loring School Nurse
Social Action Committee (SAC)
The Social Action Committee (SAC) was established in 2000 in an effort to provide the Loring School community with opportunities to implement the school’s core values of caring, responsibility, best effort, and respect through social action projects. The goal is to involve the students in activities where they learn the value of helping those who are less fortunate.
Every year, each grade sponsors a project and facilitates the school’s participation via bulletins, posters, school announcements, community celebrations, and contributions of time or various small items. A parent coordinator and a teacher liaison organize each project. Last year’s projects included the Kindergarten Buddy Dog Drive, the 1st grade Pan Loring Challenge, the 2nd grade’s fund raiser for Christopher’s Haven, the 3rd grade Valentines for Veterans, the 4th grade Spring Senior Lawn Clean-up Program, and the 5th grade Fall Senior Lawn Clean-up Program. In addition, the SAC organizes various relief efforts in response to local needs as well as national or international disasters such as Katrina.
Parent volunteers are needed for each grade to assist with the grade-level projects. If you would like to become involved, or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact Karen Darmer at (978) 579-6964, or by email at jeffreyandkarenina@comcast.net.
Karen Darmer
LORING LINK DEADLINES
The Link is published the first school day of each month. Articles should be submitted by email, preferably as a Word .doc file attachment to Ilene Ben David (bendavid4@verizon.net) or Marta Hersek (mhersek@verizon.net). Please note the issue editor and include “Loring Link” in the subject. If you cannot send your article via e-mail, please call us directly so that we can arrange to include it. Looking forward to next year:
Month Deadline Editor
October 9/26 Marta
November 10/29 Ilene
December 11/25 Marta
January 12/23 Ilene
February 1/28 Marta
March 2/25 Ilene
April 3/27 Marta
May 4/28 Ilene
