Welcoming Letter from Principal Sarah Fiarman

August 2010

Dear Families,

I hope everyone is having a great summer.  I’m writing to welcome everyone back and to extend a hearty welcome to new families joining our school community.   It will be great to see everyone in a few weeks when school begins!

As we all start preparing for the first day of school, I’d like to share an observation from the last day of school this past June.  On that day, I had the great privilege of joining an upper grade class as they reflected on the year and said good-bye.  I listened to one student after another compliment their peers on specific achievements from the year – both academic and social.  It was a great reminder of the culture teachers build so deliberately at this school – the culture of caring for the success of everyone. 

It’s not just teachers who contribute to and cultivate this culture.  I hear from parents who talk to their children about classmates and help them develop empathy and respect for different children’s experiences.  The custodians change their work practices to improve the lunchroom schedule for children.  Volunteers on the Steering Committee devote time and energy to ensure the school serves all children well.  Children comment on the success of their peers with real appreciation.  This quality of responsibility and care for the whole community – expressed by so many at Graham and Parks – powerfully shapes what children experience as school. 

It’s a great joy and privilege to be a part of this community.  I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the summer, and I look forward to all of us coming together again in the fall.  See you on September 7th (September 8th for kindergarteners).

Warmly,


Sarah Fiarman