;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;”>Hello Upham and Hunnewell Parents,

What a fabulous week! Wednesday, we celebrated Read Across America Day; from my perspective, it was one of the best celebrations. Seeing all the book characters represented by the students and teachers was a joy. The highlight of the day was “flashlight reading” in the library. Elementary students reading in the dark (the library shades were drawn) with a flashlight? Are you kidding? Best day ever! My highlight was KB (kindergarten) reading with flashlights. I am sure “some” reading was happening, but from my viewpoint, it looked like a rock-n-roll laser show. Nonetheless, it was a blast, and a big THANK YOU goes out to Mrs. Cote (outstanding librarian) for putting together such a wonderful day.

We ended the week with a spectacular all-school assembly. Mirabel Usmani (2nd Grade Upham) shared photos of her African trip. The best part of that presentation was the iMovie she shared of a lion creeping up on a herd of zebras. Mirabel! Please take the principal on your next adventure.

Sophia Sprague (1st Grade Hunnewell) shared photos of her new best friend, “Eddy!” She went to Costa Rica, and Eddy (a monkey) became her close buddy. Astrid Salasovich went to Stow, Vermont, and found the “real” Upham eagle.

As you read through the review of the week, you now have a sample of the many experiences throughout the life of an elementary school student. Acknowledging those experiences, sharing those experiences, and living them is the fabric and backbone of our time together. Being part of the Upham and Hunnewell experience is an honor.

I have decided to remove myself from the Lancaster principalship search.  After careful consideration and reflection, I have realized that the position is not the best fit for me at this time.

Since public school principal searches are…well, public, it always places undue stress and strain on students, families, and faculty. Since Upham already has the added pressure of closing, I have decided to delay my search until the spring of 2024. We will close this school together.

Thank you again for your support and encouragement throughout this process. It is an honor to be the principal of the Upham/Hunnewell community. I look forward to our important work moving Hunnewell into a new facility and our Upham friends transitioning into their respective schools.

Thank you for your support of our schools.

Dare to Dream,

Mr. Dees

IMPORTANT DATES

Wednesday, March 15 – Principal Coffee, 8:45 am in the Library (SKILLS Transition Plan)

Monday, March 20 – 5th Grade WMS Orientation

Tuesday, March 21 – METCO Late Day

Monday, March 27 – Friday, March 31 – Best Books Book Fair (more info to come!)

Tuesday, March 28 – Early Release, Parent/Teacher Conferences

 

Principal’s Message
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