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12/22 Update from the Superintendent

Holiday Message

Update: December 22 2020

I like to compare the holiday season with the way a child listens to a favorite story. The pleasure is in the familiar way the story begins, the anticipation of familiar turns it takes, the familiar moments of suspense, and the familiar climax and ending.
Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers)

Dear Harrison Families,

Mr. Rogers is right, we love family traditions, holiday gatherings, they are familiar and help us feel connected, happy and safe. In a year when everything seems unfamiliar, perhaps a deeper reflection reveals all that truly matters is here in abundance. The love of family, friends, and community is everywhere.

Thank you, there is so much that you, our parents, have done to support our students, faculty, staff and community.  You helped us preserve holiday traditions at school, provide support for families in need, and honor teachers with a visiting food truck, perhaps a non-traditional holiday luncheon, but equally filled with love and gratitude. We could not have come this far without your support.

The pandemic has left an indelible message on our hearts - our well-being is dependent on the goodwill and choices of friends and neighbors. I have seen that support in the actions of our aides, custodians, secretaries, teaching assistants and nurses, undertaking new daunting responsibilities to provide safe schools for your children. The leadership team has filled any role needed to keep schools open, they have contact traced, and comforted saddened children and teachers placed in quarantine. 
 

While we may not be able to celebrate in familiar ways, our entire community continues to show its ethic of care, creating a safe and celebratory place for every child.

Nowhere is a commitment of making this holiday season familiar and special more evident than in the ongoing sacrifices of our teachers. Besides teaching their own classes, they have covered the classes of quarantined colleagues, worked through lunch, arrived early and stayed late, so that your children feel cared for and connected. Over this holiday break we give thanks for the heroic work of our teachers. They have been a shining light throughout this school year.

As the year draws to a close, we celebrate our students, their light shines brightest, and I am grateful every day to be in their presence. The resilience and innovation of our faculty and staff have made the improbable not just possible, but extraordinary. Even in unfamiliar and difficult circumstances the energy, intellect and exuberance of our students bring us joy and wonder. 

In each of my 18 years as superintendent, I have attended every concert in every school, but I especially enjoy holiday concerts. I was missing the concerts terribly; the season did not seem right or familiar. However, our students and faculty would not be deterred and have created wonderful virtual concert experiences for us all to share. Please join me in celebrating the talents and genius of our teachers and students by clicking the icons below. May these glorious performances remind us that the things most precious and familiar are still right here.  

Our care for one another always has distinguished us; it does so now more than ever. May your holidays be filled with health, happiness and joy. 

Sincerely,

Louis N. Wool. Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools 

Harrison High School Chorus Performs Winter with You

Harrison High School Husky Harmonics perform The Path We Take

Harrison High School Symphonic Wind Ensemble Performs Sleigh Ride

Harrison High School and LMK Middle School Dance Clubs Present Jingle Pop Holiday Card