Good evening FLRSD,
As so many know, within a period of 24 hours two of the greatest icons in coaching history, Nick Saban and Bill Belichick were no longer head coaches. Regardless of the circumstances, retirement or “mutual agreement”, what we all should take from the situation, even if we despise athletics, is that these incredibly successful transformational leaders were replaced in a matter of hours.
My first educational mentor once said “Alan, always work hard and do the best you can but always remember if you pass away they will replace you within days so never forget to LIVE far beyond work. Love your family and friends, embrace your passions outside of work and always live in balance”. Those words did not truly resonate until my daughter and then my son were born and it has continued through any hurdle that life brings which is why I will incessantly remind everyone to live in life harmony rather than in a work-life balance. Granted our career or our part time job matters tremendously, and in education we understand the incredible importance of the work - but it should not be a priority that pushes aside what matters most. This story, should you choose to read it, is a microcosm of the messages we must take away from seeing the two coaches replaced so quickly.
Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes always observe, their ears always listen, and their minds always process the messages they absorb. If they see us put “pebbles in our jars as a priority rather than rocks” they spend their life focused on things that eventually are replaced. However, if a child patiently provides a kind atmosphere for others (the rocks), they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. If they are surrounded with anger or negativity, they learn the same. We, as adults, must realize that every day these building blocks of watching, hearing, listening and processing are being laid for each child’s foundation. We must fill their jars with positivity, joy and kindness (rocks) rather than the vitriol and discourse that permeates social media and even our innocent conversations.
Life is about people connecting with people, and making a positive difference. And in order to do that we must take care of those we love and ourselves, today and everyday. We must prioritize our health - both emotional and physical, prioritize time, enjoy our life and then after that, focus on our jobs (regardless of titles) because after all, like the professor showed in the story our jars will always fill up. How we fill it up matters!
It is with tremendous pride that I see so many of our Principals, Faculty, Paraprofessionals, Counselors, Assistant Principals, IT and Library staff, Nurses, Coaches, Advisors, Directors, SRO, Security, Food Service Maintenance and Custodial staffs along with Central Office Administration and Staff, Town Employees, Community Partners and our communities viewing their work as their avocation rather than simply as a job while taking care of their well being. Although many truly go above and beyond and do not believe their work is defined by a clock or the walls of our schoolhouses, as they see the entire community as a living “classroom”, we will continue to impress upon the\m that their life harmony and yours must never be pushed aside for after all, we can be replaced at work but we can never be replaced by those who love us.
May your this week be filled with joy and kindness and may you spend more time focused on what is most important!
Alan
Alan Strauss, Superintendent
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DEI Coalition
Next DEI meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 23rd from 6-8pm in the ARHS Lecture Hall.
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
Vote for OUR DECA students
Austin Pelletier, Boston Piquette and Caiden Cyr have created a wonderful PSA which is being entered into the annual DECA competition, with the winners being sent to CA for the ICDC conference. They need your vote! Good luck!
WCVB High 5 honors our own ARHS senior
Please see the link for the charitable actions taken by ARHS senior Payton Vigilante to honor her late mother that was highlighted on WCVB. We are so proud! https://www.wcvb.com/article/high-5-lakeville-senior-turns-grief-into-act-of-kindness-in-mothers-honor/46409897
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.