December is here, and the shortest days of the year are approaching! It’s hard to believe we’ve already been in school for three months and that winter break is just around the corner.

Speaking of breaks, some of you may have heard that I broke my right ankle the Monday before Thanksgiving break. This is my first experience with an injury that limits my ability to drive and bear weight—those of you who have been through something similar know how challenging it can be!

The silver lining in all of this has been the incredible support from our community. Students have been so kind and empathetic, and many of you and our staff have stepped in to offer help. I’m learning (a bit reluctantly!) to accept assistance and to ask when I need it. For someone who is used to caring for others, it has been a meaningful reminder that it’s okay to rely on the people around us. I am grateful for this community and the unexpected growth that comes with moments like these. I can do hard things, too!

Thank you for ensuring your students are arriving at school each day and on time. Consistent routines, strong connections, and predictable daily rhythms help students feel secure, especially with a long break looming. Please continue working with your child each morning to help them get ready and arrive promptly.

If your student is experiencing anxiety or having difficulty coming to school, please reach out. We are here to support you. You can connect with Ms. Brase, your child’s teacher, or me, and we will work together to create a plan that helps your student feel safe and supported.

Wish me luck as I continue healing—hopefully I’ll have a doctor’s thumb's up to drive again soon!

Sincerely,

We are excited to share that our school office now has a credit card machine! Families can now conveniently pay fees, fines, and—most importantly—lunch balances right at the front desk.

Keeping lunch accounts current helps our food services staff source local ingredients, and this new payment option makes it easier than ever. We encourage families to check their child’s lunch account and take care of any outstanding balance before winter break. As always, families can pay online and we still accept cash and checks, but at school credit card payments provide another quick and secure way to take care of school-related costs.

Feel free to stop by the office anytime to make a payment or check on your child’s account balance. We’re happy to help!