December 2, 2011
Dear Parents,
As many of you know by now, I have decided to retire at the end of the school year. The School Board is actively advertising my position in order to conduct the search for a new principal. To that end, they are looking for parent representatives for the search committee. If you are interested in participating in the search process, contact Tom Christensen at 674-2144.
This year has been challenging, but I want to make it very clear that my decision to retire is entirely for personal reasons. I continue to believe in this school, the staff, students and the community. It simply is time for me to change the direction of my life, spend more time with family, travel, play, and take stock of the things I would like to pursue next.
Having said that, I think this is an exciting time for HES. I have been a mentor for an Upper Valley Educator’s Institute administrative intern this year. Through this involvement I have had the opportunity to work with principals throughout Vermont and New Hampshire, and meet all of the interns. I know there are many, many highly qualified people who are eager to lead a school like ours. Meeting these wonderful people helped me realize that HES will be in good hands. So please, volunteer to participate in the search process.
I also need several volunteers to serve on the Budget Advisory Committee. Our first meeting is Wednesday, Dec 7 at 5:000 PM. I do not anticipate there will be many BAC meetings since the budget needs to be presented to the Board in December and approved no later than early January. Please contact me if you can spare a few hours.
There are so many exciting things happening in the school. The halls are full of choral and instrumental music being rehearsed for our upcoming winter concerts. Students in grades 5 and 6 are studying ecosystems and building small aquarium/ terrarium environments. The new art displays are spectacular. The fourth grade teachers are trying out new approaches to teaching science. Basketball has started. Auditions for the play are taking place. It is a good time.
Have a great, sun filled weekend. As always, give your child a hug for me.
Judy Callens
