Principally Speaking

Of Oreos and running a school..

WOW! Has this year gone by fast?! I am in disbelief that I am writing this final newsletter of the 07-08 school year. For me, it has been a wonderful year of learning and growing. Hopefully, this is not unlike what your child has experienced this year!

I began the year with staff by sharing my belief that something doesn’t have to be broken to be made better. I used the Oreo cookie as an example of something not broken - a great cookie that made millions for its company. Then someone in research and development got the great idea to stick two cookies together – and thus the Double Stuff was born. Which, in my opinion is an even better cookie than the original!

I have tried to incorporate that philosophy into the way I have run our school this year. I have also been fortunate enough to work with people who also have been willing to look at traditions with new eyes.

I hope that you enjoy your children this summer. These lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer do not last long, nor do your children stay little for very long. Thank you for sharing them with us for this school year. Rejoice in the weather, relax and rejuvenate, and don’t forget to encourage your kids to get in some reading over the next few months!

Janice Wilkins

COMINGS & GOINGS

Nothing stays the same, and that is as true for us at North Salem as it is in life. Our staff will look a bit different next fall with Mrs. Courtois moving to a district position, Ms. Elliot leaving the resource room to complete her student teaching, and Mrs. Tharrington leaving to be home with her family. Unfortunately, Mrs. Tharrington had to leave us early due to an illness and was not able to finish out this year. Please do know that she will be fine and is doing better each day. I know that there have been concerns out there.

On the other hand, we are pleased to announce that Ms. Kristi Zargiel will be our new third grade teacher next year. Ms. Zargiel has been working in our resource room for the past two years, and prior to that taught in New Jersey in grade two. Additionally, Mrs. Gilliland is making a grade change and will also be teaching grade three next year! Ms. Amy Costello will be our new resource room teacher. She has been teaching in the resource room in Londonderry for the past two years after a career as a speech and language pathologist.

Although it is always sad to say goodbye to valued staff members and friends, we are excited to have such strong additions to North Salem. Please join me in wishing Mrs. Courtois, Ms. Elliot, and Mrs. Tharrington the best as they travel new life paths.

We are also pleased to announce that two other staff members are about to embark on new life journeys. Mrs. Richard and Mrs. Calkins, are expecting their first babies in the late fall!

Our PTA will be experiencing some goings and comings as well.

PTA officers LiWen McCann, Lisa Stift and Kelly Rogers are leaving after serving us. Fortunately, Yvonne

Borghetti, Peg Tripp, and Anne-Marie Glynn have stepped up to fill their spots. Please join me in thanking them. Because whether or not you attend PTA meetings, these volunteers are important to this school and your child because of the things they do for North Salem. When we attend Harvestfest, Pizza Bingo, Movie Night, or the Back-to-School Cookout it’s easy to just go without really considering that SOMEONE has worked to make it happen for us and our children.

Thank you to our past and future PTA leaders.

PICTURES PLEASE!

I am hoping to do an end of the year video for the students for our last day of the year. I know lots of you have taken photos over the year. I would appreciate it if you could send me a couple that feature lots of our kids at

jwilkins@sau57.org

GOODBYE & GOOD LUCK

to our fifth graders as they continue on their educational journey. They are an extraordinary group of young ladies and gentlemen and we are so sorry to see them move on. We are also sad that as our fifth graders move on, so do their parents and guardians, many of whom have done so much for our school community over the years. We wish all of you the best!