January Panther Pause
Welcome January 2012! You may have enjoyed your children at home during the winter break; however, many of us were making sure that all was in order at our schools. Please note that there are many updates on our website ( www.lopatcongschool.org ) that Mr. Shea works to keep current. Our administrators and Board members have been diligently working on their responsibilities so that additional video podcasts can soon be viewed. Basic information is supplied on them and we encourage you to ask for additional information if you so desire. Also note that we are working to use our Virtual Backpack feature of our site to its fullest extent in order to help with our “green” efforts and to bring you those items that may otherwise not make it home! We look forward to your comments and suggestions on this newer process.
As many of you already know I am quite a reader and attempt to read both professional and leisure materials on a daily basis. Recently as I was reviewing the Sunday newspaper, I came across an article entitled Year of Pain, Year of Triumph by Jeffrey Zaslow that was featured in the Parade section of the newspaper. In this article, the author acknowledges all that recently injured Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly have to celebrate regardless of all that has happened to them this past year. One of the author’s quotes, “When you’re with them, you can’t help wondering; Could I rise to the challenge?” was especially noteworthy to me. When I think about it, I ask myself this on almost a daily basis, and I certainly don’t have to overcome what they have had to do this past year. So, can I rise to the challenge to work the best that I know how in order to make things better for the students in our schools? Can any of us rise to that challenge to work toward a common goal of assisting the children in our care? Actually, it is a wonderful quote to keep at the forefront as we all forge ahead to assure that our children are taken care of in all that the school is responsible for. Think of the part of our mission statement that says, “…to provide our students with the educational foundation and environment to realize their full potential, to be contributing members of a global society, and to become lifelong learners.” Yes, it is important to work together toward a common goal!
As we move ahead to a brand new calendar year, I encourage you to be a part of our school district and your child’s education in any way that you can. Please adhere to the events on the calendar and those that may be scheduled for involvement at either school.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 (7:00 meeting start) – Lopatcong Township Board of Education meeting in the Middle School Instrumental Music Room
Monday, January 9, 2012 (7:00 start with a snowdate of January 16, 2012) – Mr. Robert Feltmann, Director of Guidance at Phillipsburg High School, will provide a presentation on high school scheduling that is sure to help our 8th graders and their families with the freshman scheduling process.
January 19th – January 21st – Middle School Drama Presentation ofGrease, Jr. to be held in the Middle School All-purpose room
Thursday, January 26, 2012 (6:30 start) – Lopatcong Elementary School Literacy Night presentation for parents
There is much to be a part of in our district and we hope that you will be able to be involved in some way. Think about the applicable portion of the quote noted above and apply it for our purposes…can we all rise to the challenge? I look forward to seeing you at many of our future events. Best wishes again for a wonderful 2012!