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…Just before I go to sleep, I hear a church bell ring. Merry Christmas everyone, is the song it sings. So, I say a silent prayer for creatures great and small. Peace on Earth, good will to men, is the greatest gift of all.
- Kenny Rodgers and Dolly Parton
“The Greatest Gift of All”
Greetings Laurel Hall Families:
This week we were treated to three holiday performances. Kindergarten and first graders sang melodic Christmas tunes on Tuesday morning. Second and third grade students performed Thursday morning. All of this was captured by some very proud parent-paparazzi and other assorted friends and relatives. Wednesday evening, middle school students from the recorder, strings, vocal, guitar, and handbell classes, joined the “fuller sound” band comprised of students from fourth to eighth grade. “Magical” can be an overused word. In this case it is apropos for that which unfolded in the church sanctuary. These were the first holiday performances, and the first indoor performances of any kind, to be held in two years. There is nothing more majestic than the beautiful sounds of precious children singing Christmas songs. I stated at the end of the performances that our students are the Faith and Hope that get us through the darkest of times. It will be so, provided we keep our focus on them, regardless of the difficulties we encounter.
This Christmas season has truly been joyous. The Laurel Hall community has risen - with kindness, caring and generosity. One of the best examples that exemplifies who we are is what has occurred in partnership with the Hold You Foundation. This is an organization that grants wishes for families dealing with terminal illness. It was introduced to us by a former Laurel Hall teacher. Ever since then, it has become an annual tradition for our middle school students to facilitate the giving of items wished for by families in need. This year, our sixth-grade class, under the guidance of English teacher Marla L’Angelle, adopted two families in partnership with Hold You. I am very pleased to report that our kids did what they do best. They mobilized - and were able to fulfill every wish on the list.
Of course, the holiday season also marks something else - the critical period of high school applications! Over the next several weeks, Barbara Hitchcock and I will spend countless hours assisting families with the application process, especially writing recommendations for all our remarkable soon-to-be-graduates. This is the time of year we affirm the great work that is done at Laurel Hall. Our students fare exceptionally well in high school and that speaks volumes for us as a learning community. Even though it is early in the process, we already have notification that one of our students has been accepted to highly acclaimed Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan. This is fantastic news and quite an accomplishment.
After the break, we will be developing a “State of the School” message to be presented at a parent meeting. The message will focus on that which is right with Laurel Hall. There is much for us to celebrate, and it is important that we do. This idea was formulated at School Committee after teacher representatives Lilit Vartanian (middle school) and Tammy Stradiotto (elementary school) presented their reports. These two extraordinary teachers simply reported what happens daily at our wonderful school – sound teaching and learning. Lest we have anyone who thinks otherwise, it is our challenge to ensure that we inform.
As we head to the holiday respite, we can take solace in knowing that things are good, we are good, and of course, God is good.
Merry Christmas and Blessings to All!
Mr. G.
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