February is For...

LOVE?  Yes, let’s go with that.  If you are the parent of an elementary school child, you are very aware because your child has most likely talked to you about getting his or her Valentine’s Day necessities.

Taking my girls shopping for their Valentine’s Day parties was always chaotic. They would have to look at every single card and candy selection to find their perfect valentines. One sister would get upset if the other one wanted to have the same cards as her. Then, we would go home to transform an old shoe box into a beautiful Valentine’s Day box and address the cards for each classmate. (Sidenote: cherish these days… they go by so fast!)

            Although it may seem like a Hallmark holiday to us, February 14 is a huge deal for our students. Even our middle and high school students LOVE the holiday as shown by the massive amounts of candy, flowers, and balloons that arrive in the office.  While walking through the hallways on this day (really every day), I am reminded of just how much I LOVE my job and Williamstown Schools. We have the best students and a great staff. 

            I hope you LOVE our schools too.  If so, I ask that you share those sentiments with our legislators.  Public schools are not currently feeling the LOVE with the governor’s proposed budget cuts.  Also, the passage of charter schools and introductions of such bills allowing tax break in return for scholarships to private schools, hurt public education and most importantly the children of our commonwealth.   Public schools educate 90% of the state’s children- now is the time for the legislature as a whole to recognize the value of public education and support students and staff.  I am proud of our work and the work of other districts across our region and state.  Show your support and LOVE for our schools by staying involved and calling the legislator hotline at 1-800-372-7181 when public schools are under attack.

While you enjoy the many exciting moments of this month (especially an Eagles victory in the Super Bowl,) spend these next days cherishing who and what you LOVE. At Williamstown Schools, we get to do that every day.