FLRSD Sunday Message, May 19, 2024

Good evening FLRSD,

It is our hope that your week went well and that with the sunshine, a sense of calm is able to take hold for at least a portion of your day. Eliot Harvey, former teacher in MA, was an avid hiker and writer and when he passed away amongst the work found was something titled Trail Wisdom . He speaks deeply to the meaning of life.

You need less stuff than you think

Good habits are critical

Sometimes it’s easy and sometimes it’s hard

One step at a time makes challenges little

HYOH - hike your own hike choose who you are social with, not the other way around

Everyone creates a culture- some for the good, some not so much

Be open to the moment

All interactions are meaningful

Know others

We each owe the trail community

Set goals

Do your best until you are done- not in comparison to others but within yourself

One of the most endearing qualities about our school community beyond our remarkable students PreK- adult transition and our compassionate and talented staff, is the opportunity for our students to HIKE THEIR OWN HIKE. From day one, students work to find their joy, their academic and outside interests and where they are most excited in their learning. Our goal and our responsibility is to continue to develop and create a myriad of options for students to find their path, or “trail” in the words of Mr Harvey. We all should be proud of the programs that are established and continually growing through our staff, through the offices of our Directors Teri Fleming and Ashley Bouley as well as the wonderful summer and enrichment programs from Lisa Pacheco and her team and Diane Czapiga and her team that makes FLRSD so special.

Although I have said this previously, before we reach the summer it is important that our students finish their year strong. It matters regarding sustaining the habits of mind needed for the future regardless of the pathway one takes. It is needed for information that will be scaffolded and used next year. It is needed for those entering grades 10-12 and who want to play sports in the fall. It is needed for those who are applying to colleges next winter.

Just like the athlete in the article below, should you choose to read it, the self awareness to finish strong is monumentally important in shaping who we are and who we will become. Each day I see and speak with so many of our students who are diligently working, including most of our seniors who are so prepared to begin their next journey beginning June 8th after graduation. Facing the challenge of keeping focused on their current situation especially when it is not going as expected is difficult for some, and not difficult for others. My coaches used to say, there is a huge difference between who starts and who finishes and if anyone wants to build a life and a positive reputation that will follow them then always “finish strong”. Let’s all work with our students to ensure they finish the year positively.

Finish Strong

In working daily with so many of our Principals, Assistant Principals, Nurses, Faculty, Counselors, Staff, BCBA, OT, Speech and PT staff, Paraprofessionals, Directors, Schedulers, Team Chairs, Secretaries, IT and Library Staff, Food Service Maintenance and Custodial Staffs, Coaches, Advisors School Committee, and our town council members, employees and community partners, I am moved by the responsibility these wonderful role models take on to ensure that our students flourish until the final day and that the daily lessons taught reach far beyond the four walls of a classroom, office or the open space of a playing field.

Have a fantastic week and a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.

Remember that there is no school Monday, May 27th.

Alan

Alan Strauss, Superintendent

Follow FLRSD @FLRSDsuper on Instagram

SPECIAL OLYMPICS has been moved to this Monday 5/20/24 and will take place in Dartmouth. Good LUCK to all of our athletes and partners.

First Student is Hiring Bus Drivers

Starting pay is $33.27 per hour please contact them at 508-763-9260 or go to workatfirst.com for more information.

Now hiring bus drivers 508-763-9260 workatfirst.com starting at $33.27 per hour!