It's been a challenging week for all of us and I hope you and your family have a very restful and relaxing winter break. This is a time for contemplation and reflection as we look back on all that we accomplished together and we look forward to the promise of a new year. I would like to echo Maya Angelou who urges us all to try to be “a rainbow in someone else’s cloud” and as we end 2023, we are reminded to be the light in the darkness and to uplift one another as a community.
I want to share a bright spot that gave me powerful insights into the important work our staff does each and every day. A true and complete understanding of the magnitude of their work can only be grasped as a result of walking in their shoes. I had the pleasure of being a substitute teacher for Mrs. Martorelli’s first grade classroom. I asked myself, what could go wrong? I spent 10 years in the classroom but nothing prepared me for a day in the life of a first grade teacher. Mrs. Martorelli left the most detailed lesson plan I have ever seen. I thoroughly enjoyed this experience but hands down, it was the hardest and most exhausting day of my career. After I got through trying to understand how to implement the Calendar/Math Lesson, the Interactive Read Aloud (IRA), the Daily 5 Reading Groups, Quiet Journal Writing, Heggerty, Fundations, Reading Groups, Recess, Snack time, Specials, Online Stories, Writing and, finally packing up and the Let’s Talk Activity, I knew I needed help. I would not have been able to do it all without the support of the entire NPE faculty and staff who checked in on me periodically and offered their assistance. Special thank you to Mrs. Caitlin Devine for allowing me to bring my class to her for their Fundations lessons. Indeed, it does “take a village” and my experience at NPE is a reflection of the strong sense of community and the circle of caring that exists in all of our buildings. Never underestimate the impact of your words and actions.
The coming year holds the potential for new adventures, personal milestones, and the chance to make a positive impact on our lives, and the lives of those around us. Let's set our intentions high, nurture our dreams, and work towards creating a year that is filled with joy, success, and meaningful connections. May the upcoming months be a canvas for us to paint our aspirations and a stage for us to dance to the rhythm of our passions. Together, let's embrace the challenges, savor the victories, and appreciate the journey that unfolds before us. Wishing you thoughtful steps and meaningful connections as we enter the new year.
Be Safe.
