PATHFINDER “THURSDAY THOUGHTS”
Good, Better Best! Never Let It Rest, Until Good Is Better And Better Is Best!” November 2007
LET’S MAKE A DATE:
NOVEMBER 30
Downtown Tree Decorating Purple & Red Pods
DECEMBER 10
Purple Pod to NCCS
DECEMBER 11
Release Time Bible Class
Family Fun Night - 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
DECEMBER 14
Holiday Christmas Programs Red Pod - 8:45 a.m. Purple Pod - 9:45 a.m. Blue Pod - 1:05 p.m. Green Pod - 2:25 p.m.
DECEMBER 19
Classroom Christmas parties Christmas Caroling in gym
Next issue of Thursday Thoughts
Mr. Cassiday’s Comments
Are You Ready?
The turkey’s golden skin peeled back easily from the sharp edge of the knife revealing the savory meat beneath. Standing at the kitchen counter carefully carving the big bird and savoring each rich aroma, I was transfixed by the sight of my wonderful wife as she bustled from sweet potatoes, to green-bean casserole, to pumpkin pie, all the while chatting animatedly with my mom and sister who were enthusiastically setting the dining room table.
My sister, along with her husband and their two children, as well as our parents, had traveled from the eastern side of Michigan in order to join my family as we celebrated our first Thanksgiving holiday in Fremont. We hadn’t seen them for months and our lovely new home was abuzz with the commotion and excitement they brought with them. Bedding and travel bags of clothes and toys were strewn about in ordered chaos on temporary beds created from inflatable furniture. The frozen footprints in the fresh white snowfall were lingering evidence of my brother-in-law having walked his dog earlier in the morning. Emerging scalded and dripping wet from the bubbling hot-tub, my niece and nephew hovered near-by, hungrily eyeing each serving dish as it was carefully placed in position.
While watching the Packers and Lions play football and listening to my extended family enjoy eating a succulent dinner in the warmth and comfort of this beautiful home, I was overwhelmed by the number of blessings for which I was truly thankful this year. Not many people have the pleasure to work at a career that is less of a job and more of a calling. Nor does everyone have the opportunity to connect with so many kind and interesting individuals on such a regular basis as I do while working with some of the most intelligent and creative people. And to be living in as beautiful a town as Fremont, where friendships can last a lifetime and extend around the globe, and where neighbors generously help neighbors in need, well that’s probably the best blessing of all.
Which is why I’m asking: “Are you ready?” Are you ready for both the festivities and the responsibilities of the next few weeks? Wth the passing of Thanksgiving the holiday season is officially upon us. During the next few weeks, school musical performances and Christmas parties of all types will overflow your social calendar. As will shopping and cooking and traveling and wrapping presents and writing lists and sending cards and decorating trees and hanging ornaments and ... And in all of the glittery commotion inherent to this festive season the true significance for all the celebrations could be lost, if not for stepping away long enough to appreciate the family and many other blessings you probably have.
In the last few weeks Pathfinder families have generously shared the bounty of their cupboards and made an astoundingly large contribution to the NCCS food pantry so local families who need to could have nourishing meals. The Marines have graciously placed a Toys for Tots collection box within the school’s office, and slowly it’s being filled so local kids will have something to unwrap and enjoy on Christmas morning. Amazing, the generosity and compassion folks living in
this community have for others that they would so readily reach out to their neighbors during a serious long-term downturn in the local economy! When Pathfinder students and their families are themselves feeling the pressures of lay-offs at manufacturing plants, as well as the closures of other businesses associated with the automobile industries, it’s reassuring to witness that sharing hasn’t gone out of style.
During this Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, however you celebrate them, whether it’s by giving or receiving, or whether it’s putting up with or being put-up by relatives, I hope you’ll join me in making time to reflect on your blessings and appreciate who and what is good in your life. As Americans, endowed with the freedoms and rights other people can only wish for, we sometimes lose sight of the misfortunes suffered by good people in other nations around the globe. So often it’s easy to focus inward on our immediate wants and not recognize someone else’s greater needs. So when the opportunities come for you to share your good fortune, and this time of year you know they’ll come frequently, hopefully you’ll be generous, and hopefully you’ll be ready
“The best laid plans of mice and men sometimes go awry.”
No matter how carefully a project is planned, something may still go wrong with it. The saying is adapted from a line written in the 1785 poem “To a Mouse”, by Scottish poet Robert Burns. It could very well pertain to my attempt at improving the traffic situation here at Pathfinder. That most everyone involved in this great attempt very charitably mentioned an appreciation for the effort, if not the implementation, is heartwarming and I thank you. The positive nature of the phone calls and conversations, as well as the emails, were evidence of parents and families who are really involved with their children’s environment. By far the often most spoken phrase I heard was, “It looked good on paper but…”.
So, going forward from here, families arriving and departing Pathfinder continue to be my concern. It’s part of my job. I’ve heard many suggestions, but as of yet neither a larger parking lot nor another driveway are in the plans for the immediate future. What is in the plans though is what would have been the final phase of the new traffic plan. Since winter is swiftly descending upon us, and very soon icy winds and swirling snows will chill bones and glaze sidewalks the need for redirecting the kids (and parents) has arisen.
Combined with a return to the original traffic pattern of entering Pathfinder from 44th Street to drop-off or pick-up before exiting onto Osborn Road, I’d like to have the teachers bring all the Green and Blue Pod kids out the front entrance of the building and all of the Purple and Red Pod kids follow their teachers out the back doors near the cafeteria and onto the sidewalk next to the Parent Parking Lot. Parents would then receive their kids at these locations.
Chatting with parents in the parking lots these past few days I’ve learned that most would just as soon relax in their cars waiting for a son or daughter so they can just easily drive away. That’s reasonable and I agree it’s doable. So what I’m proposing is that at the end of the school day Green and Blue Pod parents use the 44th Street entrance in front of the school while Red and Purple Pod parents use the Osborn Road entrance to pick-up your children. The teachers are already bringing out your kids so this way you’ll know everyday from which way she or he will exit from the building and you can plan your arrival and departure accordingly.
Also, by now you should have noticed the new bright red No Parking signs standing next to the sidewalk in front of the school. This area will probably affect Blue and Green Pod parents the most because during the times listed on the signs, 7:45-8:30 and 3:00-3:45, they establish a No Parking Zone that will be in effect. If you’re using this area and would like to remain in your car waiting for your child that will be alright, he or she will be brought to you. But if you have to leave your car in order to enter the building you will be asked to move your car into the Parent Parking Lot in order to keep traffic moving in front of the building. Think of the drive-through lane at McDonalds or Burger King. How frustrating would it be to be stuck behind the person who had to get out of their car or who couldn’t make-up their mind?
I’ve also given some thought to the few families who have kids in different pods as well as those kids who get off the bus at Pathfinder. For the multiple pod families my suggestion is to park in the Parent Parking Lot and let your child and their teachers know this is where you’ll be. This is a predictable plan and easily remembered. For those families having to wait for kids arriving with the busses my suggestion is, if you’re comfortable with your child being directed to the Parent Parking Lot by teachers who are outside, and this is where you have to be, then allow your child to come to you. Your other option appears to be to wait in line in front of the school with the Blue and Green Pod parents and depart when your child joins you. Looking at this critically, either way you choose, one of these
options should work well for you and your family and you’ll be able to safely, and calmly, drive away. Given the large volume of traffic entering and exiting Pathfinder in a short amount of time each day, that’s probably the best either one of us can hope for.
Early Birds
According to the schedule in the 2007-2008 Pathfinder Parent Handbook “School” begins at 8:18 a.m. every morning Monday through Friday. As bells ring throughout building at 8:00 a.m., children are supposed to enter through the front doors and then either walk to the cafeteria for breakfast or to the playground for recess. At 8:15 a.m. another bell rings prompting all the boys and girls to go to their classrooms. The teachers and teacher assistants, many of whom have arrived between the ringing of the two bells, are now ready to begin the education portion of the school day at 8:18 a.m.
The reason it states in the handbooks that children are to arrive at 8:00 a.m. is that there isn’t any supervision for them. Teachers and Assistants aren’t required to arrive until later. Lots of parents know this because every morning several make attempts to speak with the teachers during this time, only to be told by the secretaries “She (or he) isn’t here yet.” So invariably the kids either stay outside, which isn’t a great idea on any early morning, dark of winter or not, or they have to try to sit quietly in the hallway. I’m pretty sure you can imagine how difficult it is for a group of active and eager six, seven, and eight year-olds to remain quiet for any extended length of time! A lot of kids try to play “tag” or “catch” around and over the feet of other children trying to “behave” and frequently someone gets trampled or bumped hard, which causes tears to flow or shoving and pushing in retaliation. That’s definitely not the best way to begin the day!
Frequently, because I arrive so early, I’m the one greeting and chatting with the kids as they arrive. Just about each one has shared with me that “mom (or dad) had to go to work”, and that’s why they were dropped off early. Now, that creates a need that’s not easily fixed. It appears to me that lots of parents are struggling with dependable day care in the morning so that’s why they drop-off their children to us, people who they know will accept and care for their precious children.
Well, I believe I’ve come-up with a plan to meet this need. Beginning the Monday before Thanksgiving I began opening the gym for these “Early Birds” in order to provide some quiet options for play. From about 7:30 a.m. until 8:00 a.m., Monday through Friday while school is in session, any children arriving at this time are ushered into the gym where they can play with tubs of small toys, color with crayons, visit with friends, read a book, or
proceed to the cafeteria for breakfast. In the short time that most of the “Early Birds” have been arriving in the gym they’ve begun to develop the habit of walking in the open door, setting aside their belongings, and playing with their friends. I’ve also noticed a greater number of children smiling and chatting happily because they know this is a place they belong and it’s alright to act like a kid.
So, in the morning, as long as it’s a school day, you can be assured as a parent that someone here at Pathfinder will be watching out for your children by providing a safe and comfortable place to play when you need to bring her or him early.
Counselor’s Corner
Love & Logic parenting classes are coming to Pathfinder in January. Pathfinder will be hosting them on January 7th, 14th, 21st, & 28th from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Call Mr. Wojcicki at 924-7265 to sign up. FREE daycare will be available.
DELAY DAYS
Please note that on days when school starts late due to fog or snow, the schedule will be exactly two hours behind what it normally is. This includes bus runs and the start of the day at Pathfinder. On delay days, there is NO SUPERVISION UNTIL 10:00 A.M. with classes starting at 10:18 a.m. Thanks!
FAMILY FUN NIGHT
We had our first Family Fun Night of the year this past Tuesday, and we have several more planned throughout the winter months. If you’re feeling a little rusty, or your exercise regimen is a little lacking during the cold weather, this is a great opportunity to come out and enjoy some light exercise while you’re getting in some quality family time. We play games like 4-base (kickball), floor hockey, frozen tag, dodge ball, and basketball to name a few. We would love to see you at our next Family Fun Night that is scheduled for December 11th from 6:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.
News From the P.E. Office
Once again it’s time for snow and boots! Parents, please make sure your student has tennis shoes with them on their regularly scheduled gym day. Any questions, please call Mr. Lynch at 924-7258 or e-mail him at milynch@fremont.net.
Your students will be participating in a floor hockey unit during the month of December. They will be working on drills that include passing, shooting, stick handling and playing games.
COLD WEATHER IS HERE!
During the winter months, the following outside temperature, with wind chill factor taken into account, will determine whether children will be permitted to be outside:
10ºF - Outside recess
Below 10ºF - Inside the entire recess
During the cold Michigan winter months, please make sure your child leaves for school in the morning dressed properly for the weather and temperature conditions. Please make sure your child has a warm coat, hat, gloves and boots. Thanks!
FPS SEVERE WEATHER POLICY
The decision to alter or cancel the normal school schedule is always a difficult one. However, the most important factor is the safety of students and employees. The following guidelines explain the steps taken in making a determination:
1. In questionable weather, at 5:00 a.m. the Director of Transportation travels the district’s more difficult roads.
2. In consultation with the Director of Transportation, the Superintendent reaches a decision by 6:00 a.m. to hold classes, schedule a delay or cancel classes.
3. If there is a delay or cancellation of classes, WOTV-Channel 8, WZZM-Channel 13 and WWMT-Channel 3 will carry the announcement on television. WOOD (1300 AM), 105.7 FM and WMUS (107FM) radio stations are contacted to make the announcement as well. Parents may call the school information line at 924-7317 to inquire about delays or school closings.
4. By 6:30 a.m., buses are leaving the garage to pick up students.
5. Once children are in school, the district will generally not cancel school based on weather “predictions”.
PLEASE NOTE: If parents believe conditions are not safe for their children, they may keep them home or pick them up from school if conditions deteriorate while school is in session.
CHRISTMAS PARTIES
Our Christmas parties will be on Wednesday, December 19th. Please watch your child’s backpack for more information from your child’s teacher.
On that same day, we will also be having a time for Christmas caroling in the gym for all students and staff .
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