Boy, what a four months! The holiday season affords all of us a great opportunity to reflect on our blessings and realize the true meaning of the season. This time of year I often find myself thinking about the things I value most – quality time with family and friends, education, and the caring people I work with on a regular basis. I am reminded again of how much we in Mendham Township have to be thankful for. We have assembled the most amazing teaching staff I have seen, we have excellent leadership at our schools, in Special Services, and with our Board of Education. Our support staffs are caring, considerate, and so hard-working. Our students are by far the finest in the state of NJ and we have the blessing of supportive families. Many of our students, staff and community members, both as individuals and as members of clubs generously give of their time, talent and money to help ensure the holidays are enjoyed by all. The staff, students, and families in Mendham Township are of course, very busy at this time of the year. Even with all of this, our students, families, and staff continue to find time to think of others and reach out to those less fortunate. Through your efforts, individually and collectively, we do make a difference.
One thing I have learned about being in Mendham is that there is a sense of community and working together to provide the best experience for our students that is present in all of us. That energy and spirit flows through our students and fills our schools with positive energy and enthusiasm for each day. In "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", the Grinch comes to the realization that the Who's feel this same sense of community and happiness. It lives inside all the Whos, gifts or no gifts and no matter how different they may be. That's just why the Grinch's plan fails—nothing he ever does could take that community spirit away, even after he stole all their gifts.
And the Grinch,
with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,
stood puzzling and puzzling,
how could it be so?
It came without ribbons.
It came without tags.
It came without packages, boxes or bags.
And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.
What if Christmas, he thought,
doesn't come from a store.
What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more. ~Dr. Seuss
What I have come to realize during these amazing four months is that this community is so much more than what is on the surface. I have had the opportunity, through celebration, through destruction, and through tragedy to see the spirit of a community that is very inspiring. It makes me very happy to be here with you. Enjoy your time with your families and I look forward to a wonderful 2013.
One thing I have learned about being in Mendham is that there is a sense of community and working together to provide the best experience for our students that is present in all of us. That energy and spirit flows through our students and fills our schools with positive energy and enthusiasm for each day. In "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", the Grinch comes to the realization that the Who's feel this same sense of community and happiness. It lives inside all the Whos, gifts or no gifts and no matter how different they may be. That's just why the Grinch's plan fails—nothing he ever does could take that community spirit away, even after he stole all their gifts.
And the Grinch,
with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,
stood puzzling and puzzling,
how could it be so?
It came without ribbons.
It came without tags.
It came without packages, boxes or bags.
And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.
What if Christmas, he thought,
doesn't come from a store.
What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more. ~Dr. Seuss
What I have come to realize during these amazing four months is that this community is so much more than what is on the surface. I have had the opportunity, through celebration, through destruction, and through tragedy to see the spirit of a community that is very inspiring. It makes me very happy to be here with you. Enjoy your time with your families and I look forward to a wonderful 2013.