From the Superintendent's Standpoint November 23, 2011

As we enter the holiday season I cannot help but wonder at how thoroughly consumerism has become ingrained within our national character and our collective experience of the holiday season.  Between all of the “Black Friday” promotions, “Pre-Thanksgiving Sales,” and the upcoming “Pre-Christmas Sales,” it is easy to lose sight of the history and importance of our national holidays and the ideals they represent.

From my perspective, perhaps the most interesting aspect of this trend is the anticipation of gift giving.  With all the sales and promotions we often think about giving physical gifts.  I know that I sometimes get wrapped up in all of the excitement of this time of year and forget to focus on those gifts that are truly meaningful, most of which cannot be purchased in any store.  As I reflect on this situation, I cannot help but think about how much we have to be truly thankful for throughout the year at Bayard Public Schools and about all of the gifts that are shared each day in our school community.  

I regularly have the opportunity to observe some very special gift-giving in our school community, and based on that experience, it is my sincere wish that all young people can receive the following gifts in the year ahead:

• Parents and guardians giving the best preparation and support they can to help their children be successful.  I believe that the most important gift that parents can give their children is time spent meaningfully together.  Many times this is also one of the most difficult gifts for parents to bestow upon their children.
• Caring adults in the community giving the gift of positive role modeling through respectful and responsible interactions that serve as an example of how to work effectively and productively with others.
• Teachers giving their time and talents to help each and every student learn more about academics and how to learn.
• Educational support personnel giving their talents to helping students learn, safely travel to and from school, learn in a clean and safe environment, and have a healthy and nutritious meal at school that helps students succeed.
• Opportunities for students to give the gift of kindness to other students.  When one person takes the opportunity to provide another with a helping hand, both individuals’ lives are improved.  As the quotable Albert Schweitzer, Nobel Peace Prize Winner, stated, “The true worth of man is not to be found in man himself, but in the colours and textures that come alive in others.”

Through the act of giving our time and talents we are able to show our appreciation for one another and to engage productively with each other.  I hope that we can all work to do a little more giving of ourselves to one another throughout the year.  Our school and community are better off when we all give a little more.  

As always, if you would like to share success stories about Bayard Public Schools or if you have ideas about how we can work together to make our school even better, please call the school or send me an email.