Thanksgiving 2008

Appreciation, Podcasts and a Child's Viewpoint
. . .
Dear Friends:

With Thanksgiving upon us, I want to extend warm wishes to our staff and community. This has always been a cherished holiday for me, allowing time to celebrate alongside family and friends without the gifts or commercialism of other occasions. Thanksgiving rekindles memories of my mother working in the kitchen, aromas so flavorful you could taste them, and unforgettable meals with seemingly endless leftovers.

As this season arrives, I am sensitive to the hardships faced by many families and individuals in the current financial downturn. We know these are difficult times, especially for some children in our area. With their best interests at heart, we must find reasons to be optimistic and grateful - to help them create daily memories like those you and I hold dear.

In Barrington 220, these memories often emanate from the classroom. Many of our schools are regionally and nationally recognized, several of our staff members are honored for their expertise, students are achieving at impressive levels, the school district receives continued accolades for sound fiscal management, and we enjoy positive interaction with residents thanks to strategic planning, the new Barrington Community Stadium and a soon-to-be-constructed Early Learning Center.

While there is much to appreciate, our school district faces noticeable challenges to the quality education we provide. Economic uncertainties as well as the proposed purchase of the EJ&E rail line by Canadian National leave us with several questions about the future. From a child's viewpoint, however, these complicated obstacles dissolve in an innocence that inspires hope and gratitude.

Take, for example, the students at Lines Elementary who interviewed me for a new Podcast on the Barrington 220 Website. Their questions about the potential railroad congestion in our community reminded me all a child needs is to be cared for, safe and secure. Listen for yourself and see if you don’t smile despite the serious subject (simply scroll to the bottom of the page and give the Podcast a few seconds to load).

A recent survey found nearly 90 percent of local citizens and almost 95-percent of our staff give Barrington 220 a grade of A or B. When our community and nation pause next week in gratitude, please remember how indebted this school district is to its supportive residents and dedicated employees. Our 9,200 students, 1,200 staff, the Board of Education and I are all genuinely obliged. May your well-deserved Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends create new memories for you this year.

Sincerely, Tom
tleonard@cusd220.org