Welcome back to school greetings from

the greater Warwick Valley school community The following letters are part of the tradition when schools re-open each September in the Warwick Valley School District. Warwick Valley Board of Education Welcome back! On behalf of the Warwick Valley School Board I want to officially welcome you back for the 2009-2010 school year. We sincerely hope that you have had an enjoyable and relaxing summer break and are ready for an exciting and productive school year. We have had many changes over the summer. We were more than a little concerned at the end of last year that the exodus of so many key administrators, all at once, would be difficult to overcome by the beginning of this school year. But the dedication and professionalism of our existing staff and the availability of some very talented and experienced people have allowed us to hit the ground running for opening this year. Dr. Ray Bryant, our new Superintendent, brings incredible energy and experience to Warwick. Our own John Kolesar is our new Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources. Tim Holmes brings a strong fiscal background and public school experience to the Director of School Business Services position. Anne Streiff, with her experience as a teacher and administrator, is our new High School Principal, and Rosemary Warren, who comes to Warwick with excellent experience, will manage our bus garage as Director of Transportation. Our construction projects have been running ahead of schedule and under budget. We introduced our first hybrid school bus to our fleet, which continues our district’s commitment to being as environmentally friendly as possible. Community 2020 will be launched this fall, which will begin building a communication partnership with the Warwick community that will engage all interested stakeholders in our school system. Finally, the entire school board is committed to providing the best possible education for all of our students. We have all the necessary ingredients to be the best we can be: great facilities, excellent staff, and motivated students. We view the many changes we are experiencing as an opportunity for the district to move ahead with a broadened perspective. We look forward to an exciting new school year. Dave Eaton President Warwick Valley Board of Education Warwick Valley High School Principal Letter On behalf of the Faculty, Staff, and Administration of Warwick Valley High School, I would like to welcome back all of our students for the 2009-2010 school year. The High School team has been at work all summer to prepare for a successful and rewarding year, and we look forward to your return on Wednesday, September 2nd. When speaking about the future of education, Daniel Pink, the author of A Whole New Mind, reminds us that "we must educate kids for their futures, not our pasts." Although I am new to the Warwick Valley Central School District community, it is already clear to me that this idea is central to what we do at the High School. We are committed to your success, and I encourage you to take advantage of every opportunity during your time here. There are a record number of 12th graders taking advantage of the Senior Project program this year, adding an exciting dimension to the high school experience for these students as they partner with the community to prepare for their futures. Incoming 9th graders participated in Freshman Orientation on August 19th, touring the school building, meeting some of their teachers, and becoming familiar with our programs. In addition to our rigorous curriculum, Warwick Valley High School continues to offer a variety of extra-curricular activities. While academic success is certainly our priority, students who balance their studies with participation in clubs, activities, and athletics generally find that their high school experience is particularly rewarding. I encourage you to explore these opportunities. There have been a few changes to the Code of Conduct, so please be sure to read the booklet carefully when you receive it. Additionally, we are launching our 2-tiered bussing system this year, so please make every effort to ride the bus to which you have been assigned, especially in the first few weeks of school. If you drive to school, or if you are dropped off, please obey the posted traffic patterns and follow the directions of those on duty in the parking lots. If you are dropping off siblings who go to the Middle School, please go directly to the High School parking lot and park. Your siblings will be directed to walk to the Middle School from there. Parents are invited to become involved in the life of the Warwick Valley High School community by joining the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA), and by attending Back-to-School Night and Parent-Teacher Conferences. Please be sure to save these dates: •Back-to-School Night: September 16, 2009 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm •College Kick-off Night: September 16, 2009 from 8:00 - 9:00 pm (for parents of seniors) •PTSA Meeting: September 17, 2009 at 7:00 pm (Conference Room) •Parent-Teacher Conferences: October 20, 2009 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm October 22, 2009 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm I look forward to meeting you, and I wish you success and happiness in the coming year. Annie Streiff Principal Warwick Valley High School Greetings from the Middle School Principal Dear Middle School Students and Parents/Guardians: I am very excited to welcome you to the Middle School! As the stores advertise their back to school sales, there is a realization that the summer is nearing an end as each day passes and the sunsets happen earlier. Not to panic, there is still time left to enjoy that relaxing summer activity that may have eluded you up until now. The middle school offers many fantastic opportunities for your children. Our NYS assessment scores are always at the top of the tri-county area, and the majority of our students participate in extra-curricular activities. We are very proud of our well-rounded school that emphasizes academic excellence and personal development. Parent involvement is very important at Warwick Valley Middle School. Communication about school activities and important information is one way that we try very hard to involve parents. If possible, please take advantage of our District webpage: www.warwickvalleyschools.com . On our middle school webpage you will find our online calendar, newsletters, important dates and daily announcements. Please consider joining our terrific PTA and helping with many projects they sponsor during the year. Check the District’s calendar for PTA meeting dates and events throughout the year. There are a lot of changes taking place this year. Cosmetically speaking, the school is in the process of getting a new roof. At this point the construction work is ahead of schedule, but is still anticipated to last past opening day. Also, the bus parking area has been resurfaced with new lines painted to reflect the increased number of bus parking spaces required to handle the integrated middle/high school bus run. There have been technology improvements in the classroom as new and more powerful Dell desktops with 19" flat panel monitors have been added replacing all the older and slower models. The first day of school for students is Wednesday, September 2, 2009. Please check our local paper for bus schedules and bus stops. School hours are 7:30 - 2:10 p.m. These hours have changed from last year’s schedule due to the integrated middle/high school bus run. We want to invite all sixth grade students and students who are new to the district to come and take a look at their classrooms on Wednesday, August 26, 2009. Students with the last names beginning A - L may visit the school from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m., while students with last names beginning with M - Z may visit the school from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Please keep in mind the ongoing roof construction as you enter the building only through the designated doors. We ask that you observe these times as we attempt to provide ample parking. In the next few weeks every student will receive a grade level welcome letter and packet that will give more detailed information to help make their opening days of school run smoothly. Parents that have questions concerning the middle school are asked to call the main office at 987-3100. I hope everyone enjoys the remaining days of summer. I look forward to seeing you on the first day of school. It is going to be a great school year! Sincerely, Robert Albanese Assistant Principal Pine Island Elementary Dear Pine Island Wildcub Families, Among the many new things and changes that will start school this year, one thing stays the same as always. It is that the people of Pine Island Elementary School are excited that you are going to be a part of our school. It will be a better place because of YOU! We will begin and end each school day a little earlier this year. My special request to you is in two parts. Part one is that you arrive within 8:35 and 8:45 a.m. We would like to not have anybody tardy this year. Part two is that you stay until 3:15 p.m. dismissal. We are teaching and learning until the end of each day. You are invited to an optional Open House to meet your classroom teacher and scope out your room between 1:00 and 1:30 on Tuesday, Sept. 1, the day before school opens. Look for our PTA welcome table for a review of their many special events and a chance to purchase your Wildcub gear. You will receive special invitations to attend our Back to School Night on Tuesday, Sept. 22. We will be treating everybody to healthy snacks from the harvest of our Sweet Peas & Dirt garden. We are happy to welcome Mrs. Suzanne Parker to our kindergarten and to welcome Mrs. Jenny Augelli back to fifth grade. Mrs. Della Powderly will be teaching our "Combo" class of first and second graders. We extend our welcome and best wishes to the many new administrators throughout Warwick Schools. Until we get together, parents have a homework assignment-- to make sure your child understands his or her responsibility to bring home the daily communication from the school and your communication back to us. See you soon! Mrs. Jane Hamburger Sanfordville Elementary School Dear School Community: Sanfordville Elementary School will open on Wednesday, September 2, 2009, (8:45 am - 3:15 pm) for all students. Kindly note that our instructional day will be starting earlier. Also, our first instructional period is starting promptly at 8:45 am. To help get all of the students to school on time, our lobby will be open for students at 8:35 am, and the buses will release students to come into the building at the same time. Kindergarten parents: On Tuesday, September 1, 2009, from 12 noon - 1:00 pm, there will be an orientation for kindergarteners in their classrooms. Back-To-School Nights for parents only are planned for Tuesday, September 15th, for Kindergarten - 6:30 pm, 1st Grade - 7:00 pm, 2nd Grade - 7:30 pm, and on Tuesday, September 22nd, for 3rd Grade - 6:30 pm, 4th Grade - 7:00 pm, and 5th Grade - 7:30 pm. Please go directly to the classrooms on these evenings. Over the summer, we are hopeful of establishing a one-way entrance and exit into our main parking lot. Look for the change that should help ensure the safety of our students and parents. Thank you. During the school year, look for pertinent news, the monthly menu, and for other information to keep you abreast of the goings-on at Sanfordville. Also, our Web site is on warwickvalleyschools.com. Thank you. Sincerely, Roger Longfield, Principal Sanfordville Elementary School Kings Elementary: "Results First - People Always!" Dear Parent or Guardian: It is an honor and privilege to be at the service of an outstanding faculty and the wonderful parents and students that make up the community of Kings Elementary School. I believe you will feel and experience a sense of newness and excitement as you walk through the halls of our school. I hope that you will feel welcome as you become involved with your child’s experiences at Kings. Throughout the school year, your child’s teacher and I will be making a special effort to stay in touch with you. We will keep you informed of your child’s progress and school activities. Look for papers coming home from school each day---newsletters, invitations, updates, tips, and reminders. Your communication with us is very important, too. Please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher, or me, whenever you have a question or concern. The school’s phone number is 845-987-3150 and our fax number is 845-986-3314. I hope you will take part in your child’s education by inquiring about their time spent at school. Ask about their friends and teachers. Get involved as they complete their homework or seek your help on special projects. Encourage your child to read at least 20 minutes every night, and quiz them on math facts when you think to. I am confident that your child will demonstrate greater motivation as you continue to show interest in their academic and social experiences. We will certainly work on our end to provide your child with the best education possible. Let’s work together to make this an excellent school year in every way! The first day of school will be on Wednesday, September 2, 2009. Students HAVE NEW ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE TIMES: 8:35 a.m. students arrive at school and the school day ends at 3:15 p.m. At the beginning of each year, we set aside an evening for parents to come to school and visit their child’s classroom. The purpose of this evening is to meet the teacher and hear of the teacher’s expectations, goals and special plans for the school year. Back-To-School Nights for parents only are planned for Wednesday, September 9th and Thursday, September 10th. Wednesday, September 9th: Fifth Grade/PIE 5 - 6:30pm; Fourth Grade/PIE 3-4 - 7:00pm; Third Grade - 7:30pm. Thursday, September 10th: Kindergarten - 6:30pm; First Grade/PIE 1-2 - 7:00pm; Second Grade - 7:30pm. Please make sure to make arrangements for your children as we do not have supervision for them on this night. On Tuesday, September 15th at 7:00 p.m., Kings PTA President, Mr. Rommel Cartright, will lead us in the first PTA meeting of the new school year. Please consider becoming an active member of the PTA. Thank you for your support. Yours truly, Ms. Sandra E. Wood Kings Principal Greetings from Park Avenue I hope that this letter finds you and your child enjoying the summer weather and outdoor activities. I am always amazed by how quickly the summer months fly by as we work to prepare for the opening of the new school year. Our custodial crew is doing an outstanding job preparing the building for opening day, and our secretaries have been working hard to update all of the schedules, handbooks, files and sort supplies for students and teachers. The opening day of school is Wednesday, September 2nd, and the school day officially begins at 8:45 AM and concludes at 3:15 PM. Please note the earlier start time and end time for elementary school this year. Included in your summer mailing will be parent notification of student placement for the 2009-10 school year via our Moving In Day invitation. On Thursday, September 17th, the PTA will hold its first meeting of the year at 7:30 PM in the Library. Our PTA President is Jeanine Wadeson. If you are interested in becoming involved with a wonderful organization that advocates for children, please attend the first meeting and participate in the PTA's plans and decisions concerning Park Avenue’s children. The first PTA fundraiser and the biggest for the year is the Market Day/Wrapping Paper Sale, which begins on Friday, September 11th and concludes on Friday, September 25th. Our Back-To-School Nights are: Thursday, September 3rd Thursday, September 10th Specialist - 6:00 Specialist - 6:00 Fourth Grade - 6:30 PM Kindergarten - 6:30 PM Third Grade - 7:00 PM First Grade - 7:00 PM Fifth Grade - 7:30 PM Second Grade - 7:30 PM If you are new to Park Avenue, please take advantage of our new family tour and become acquainted with our facility. The tour will take place on Wednesday, August 27 th at 10:00 AM. Kindergarten students and parents may visit the school on Tuesday, September 1st, between 1:30 and 2:00 PM to see their new classroom, drop off school supplies, and meet some of their new classmates. This visitation will give our kindergartners an opportunity to develop a comfort level with their new classrooms before the first day of school. I am confident that this will be another exciting school year filled with many new experiences and enriching opportunities for students and staff members. Again, I hope that you are enjoying the summer months, and I am looking forward to borrowing your children for another school year. Sincerely, Kathleen Affigne Building Principal Park Avenue Elementary School Greetings from the CSEA Welcome back to a new year filled with new beginnings and many new faces. We look forward to building a working relationship with our new superintendent, district administrators and school board members as we continue our work to maintain the safety of our students and staff. The year ahead will be challenging, but in working together we will ensure the success of the Warwick Valley Central School District and maintain the integrity that keeps us a beacon in Orange County. The members of CSEA will continue to put students first as we come together for a new school year. Mary Augustyni, President Barbara Watch, Vice President Susan DiMartini, Secretary Margaret Reilly, Treasurer PTA Council Letter I am sure that these last weeks of summer days find all of us indulging in carefree activities, and it seems that we have just bid each other a good summer vacation. But looking at the calendar, we are made aware that our schools will be rolling out the welcome mat again in just a few short weeks. Each year, the accomplishments of our students surmount the seemingly insurmountable accomplishments of the prior year. With innumerable academic awards, our students have demonstrated their academic tenacity and ability to improve the future. During the year our students have also exhibited their concern for our community through their extensive community service activities, while also making us proud with their artistic and athletic achievements. We ask that you support the PTAs of our district. The PTAs provide many of the enrichment activities that can spark an interest and enlighten a student in immeasurable ways. Any contribution is always appreciated, even if all you can do is make a financial contribution through the payment of membership dues. Also please never hesitate to reach out to the PTAs as a resource of information about our schools and educational news. We wish all, including the kindergarteners getting on the bus for the first time, the 6th graders heading to Ashokan and the seniors getting ready to plan their futures, a safe and successful school year. Warmest Wishes, Virginia Snigur, President of the Warwick Valley Council of PTAs Middle School PTA The Warwick Valley Middle School PTA would like to welcome everyone to the start of the 2009-10 school year. We hope this letter finds you enjoying the last days of summer. As we prepare for the start of a new year, we would like to thank everyone who helped to make the previous year a success. The success of any PTA is a reflection of its membership. It is through the efforts of our volunteers that we are able to provide activities, programs and support to the students and the school as a whole. Thank you to all of our volunteers from the committee chairs to the parent chaperones, your help is invaluable. We would also like to thank Mr. Kolesar, Mr. Albanese, Ms. Maraia and the entire office staff for their help and support. The Middle School PTA meets five times during the school year, September, October, January, March and May. Our first meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 15th at 7:00pm in the Media Center. We are also sending a letter to let you know what we have planned and where we could use your help and support. We are always looking for new ideas and input. Please also look for the PTA table at orientation and back to school nights; we are looking forward to meeting you. Come and ask questions, share your ideas and join the PTA. Your membership is important to us; and while it does not obligate you to service, it does provide needed financial support to the PTA programs. We look forward to seeing you at the Middle School during the 2009/2010 school year. Information is also posted on the school district website under the Middle School tab. Sincerely, Nancy Scheinert WVMS PTA President Sanfordville PTA Letter The 2009-10 school year is already upon us! A warm welcome back to all new and returning Sanfordville students, parents and staff. We hope you had a wonderful summer! The SES PTA is looking forward to another exciting, educational, and fun-filled year. We have plenty of great programs planned for the students - old favorites such as the circus and Spooktacular, as well as new assemblies and events. We’re hoping to have all Sanfordville families join in helping us fund and plan these events. Your talent and support is what makes the PTA successful. Family involvement and a wonderful staff help make Sanfordville a very special school where students succeed! The PTA also appreciates the support we receive from the Warwick community. We are looking to expand this involvement this year through sponsorship opportunities and more. Thank you, Warwick, for all of your past contributions - they have helped us run extra programs for the kids at Sanfordville. We would also like to extend our best wishes and thanks to Dr. Greenhall; we appreciate everything you did for SES and all of the Warwick schools. The Sanfordville PTA will be holding its first meeting on Thursday, September 17, at 7:00 pm in the cafeteria. We look forward to seeing old friends and new faces - please bring all of your great ideas. Again, welcome back and have an awesome school year! Jen Citarella, President Sanfordville Elementary School PTA Park Avenue PTA It’s hard to believe we are already back at school, and yet here we are! We are looking forward to a great year at Park Avenue. We welcome three new members of the Executive Board: Co-President Maura Peddle, Vice President Christine Boudreau and Secretary Tara Kruger. This year the PTA will be sponsoring all our old favorite activities-- from Halloween Happening, the Fall Family Breakfast, right up through the End of the Year Picnic—and we are looking forward to adding a few new projects that hopefully will become regular events, as well. As great as the activities and events are and as much as the kids look forward to the many things we plan, we are only as strong as our parent members and volunteers. We obviously have a very dedicated core group of recruits who consistently pitch in and pull things off, but with more help and ideas, we can only get stronger. If you’ve been a member of the Park Avenue community for a number of years and have never gotten involved, you might think it’s too late or that you have nothing to add. But in reality, you are an essential resource to us: with your perspective on how events have been run in the past and perhaps can be changed or improved, your input would be extremely valuable. To those of you new to Park Avenue this year, first of all: Welcome! We are excited to meet you and look forward to all you have to offer. We hope to see everyone at our first meeting on Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 7:30 PM in the school library. Be on the lookout for our activities sign-up sheets at Back-to-School night. Let’s make this year our best ever! Jeanine Wadeson Co-President Warwick Valley High School PTSA A hearty welcome to all new students and our returning upper classmen at Warwick Valley High School. WVHS is a wonderful school with great teachers and staff. There many exciting programs, activities and clubs to join. There is something for everyone. What we have come to know as the PTA throughout elementary education is replaced at the high school level by the PTSA - Parent, Teacher, and Student Association. This allows for the young adult to join their parents and teachers in becoming an integral part of the school community. Volunteerism in the PTSA can also be listed on college applications as community service. The WVHS PTSA continues to provide $500 in scholarships to two high school seniors each year. In addition, the PTSA would like to be able to sponsor or support many of the other programs in the school. We must raise the funds for this year’s events and programs. Simply paying the "no obligation" dues ($7.00 adults, $3.50 students), helps raise these needed funds. Our "Tricky Tray" fundraising event will be held on Friday, November 13th. Please support this fun-filled event by attending and/or donating a basket to be raffled off. We would like 100% participation on all levels this year, whether or not you choose to volunteer time in the programs. We have set a goal for this school year to increase Student, Teacher and Parent membership. So look for our table at Back to School Night and come sign up. Last year's membership drive was a huge success due to the efforts of the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), one of the wonderful clubs at the high school. We always look forward to working with these students For those who would like to support our school activities, our meetings are held at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday in the High School Conference Room. The meetings usually last about 45 minutes. The dates are: 9/17, 10/22, 12/17, 1/21, 3/25, 5/20, 6/10. The meeting schedule will also be posted on the HS web-page. Come meet us. We look forward to having everyone become a card-carrying member of the PTSA at the high school this year and be a part of your school community. The PTSA wishes each of you a successful and most enjoyable year. Charlie LaVerdi, PTSA President Virginia Snigur, Vice President Wendy Marchant, Treasurer Lisa Pearce, Secretary WVHS Parent Teacher Student Association The Kings Elementary School PTA The Kings Elementary School PTA hopes that this finds you enjoying the last carefree days of summer. As summer comes to a close, we are excited about the upcoming 2009/2010 school year at Kings Elementary. Each year the halls of Kings Elementary become filled with bright, dedicated, fun-loving students making the vital steps toward adolescence and independence. These are years of remarkable change, when your once clinging Kindergartners become self-sufficient stars. Nevertheless, these are the years that our children need our guidance more than ever, and they are the years in which you may find that it is difficult to find a way to connect with your children and their school. I would also like to mention the wonderful job done by those who assist our children in finding their way, and those people are our faculty and staff. The days of volunteering to read stories or help make paper-mâché artwork seem long gone, but be assured that the Kings Elementary PTA affords many wonderful and rewarding opportunities for you to stay involved with your children. In addition to the concerts, academic reward incentives, holiday and end-of-year celebrations and cultural arts assemblies hosted by the PTA, the PTA will also be hosting some special events exclusive to our membership. These include a Defensive Driving Class, a CPR/AED instructional class and guest speakers to speak on issues concerning us as parents, like Child Internet Safeguards. I can go on and on regarding the opportunities the PTA has to offer, but they are too numerous to list. The membership dues are one of our largest fundraisers, and your dues help pay for many events that benefit the students and the community. However, please do not join the PTA just to help as a fundraiser. Join to get involved. To the dads, as I am one too, PTA stands for Parent Teacher Association. Do not forget that dads are parents too. To quote one of football’s greats, Vince Lombardi once said, "The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will." I ask you now; do you have that "will" to help your child succeed? Moreover, your membership gives you a voice in one of the most dynamic places in our community, representing the most important people of our community, your children! We look forward to seeing you at Kings Elementary this 2009/2010 school year. To stay informed with current news and information, please visit our PTA Newsletter on the Warwick Valley CSD webpage. Fondly, Rommel "Mel" Cartright King’s Elementary PTA President Wildcat Athletics Kicking Off Fall Season By Gregory Sirico The Warwick Athletic Teams are in full swing preparing for the 2009-2010 Fall Season. The first day of practice will be Monday, August 17th, for all High School Fall Sports. All modified sports (7th and 8th grade) and freshman football begin the first day of school. Interested 7th and 8th grade students should attend first meeting on or about September 2nd (listen for announcement first day of school). As always, an approved school physical is required for participation. Free physicals were given by the school throughout the spring. Physicals on the Schedule Physicals will be given free by the Warwick Valley School District for all interested student-athletes planning on playing a fall or winter sport. Physicals will be available on Tuesday, August 18th, and Wednesday, August 19th, at 7:00 AM sharp in the high school nurse's office. If you missed this opportunity in the spring…don’t let these dates pass you by. All Warwick High School and Middle School Athletes must have an approved school physical before competing for the Wildcats. Key Contest on the Schedule Football Takes on Washingtonville in Homecoming Game Warwick’s Homecoming Football game is slated for Saturday, October 3rd, vs. Washingtonville at C. A. Morgan Football Field. A 12 noon parade will be followed by a 1:30 PM kick-off. Pep rally scheduled for Friday Night, October 2nd, at 7:00 PM. Don’t Miss this! Soccer Takes On National Power Girls Soccer has scheduled Nationally Ranked Arlington HS on October 8th at Sanfordville Elementary’s Tom Lorgan Soccer Field. Ball is in play at 4:30 PM. Boys will look to defend their North Rockland Tournament Title Thursday and Saturday, September 17th and 19th. Cross Country Host Wave Mania Invite Festival One of the top Invitational Races in the state will be hosted at Warwick HS on September 26th at Sanfordville Elementary. Wave Mania Cross Country Invite will be hosted by our friends at Dream Big Athletics. First Race gun goes off at 9:00 AM. If you are interested in volunteering for the event, contact Coach Mike Potter. Boys and Girls will look to defend 2009 titles (Boys Section Champs, Girls Division Champions). Swimmers Ready for Season The girls swim team will look to carry the momentum from a great spring and summer off season program into a championship fall. Lady Wildcats will start season at Minisink on September 2. Their first home swim meet will take place September 15th against Monroe. Volleyball and Tennis Ready for Net Play Warwick’s Volleyball and Tennis Teams are ready for action. Tennis starts season against Port Jervis on September 2nd at home and travel to Middletown on Friday September 4th for a 4:00 first set. The Volleyball Team will take on Middletown at Middletown September 9th. Volleyball will compete in its own division this year with toughest competition to come from Minisink Valley. Check out our Athletic Website by going to WarwickValleySchools.com and hitting athletic prompt. Schedules are updated daily on schedules link. Be sure to reset end date to 2010 for full season schedule. 7th and 8th grade schedules are listed as Modified B, freshmen football will be listed as Modified A. Call our athletic hotline at 987-3050 for daily listing of events. A Note to the Last Reader on Earth This "welcome to another year of school" note is not intended for adult eyes. Rather, it is meant to speak directly to you, the fifth grader at Kings Elementary, or you, the seventh grader at the Middle School, or even you, the tenth grader at the High School. You see, you are quite possibly the last reader on earth. I hear it all of the time, "Kids these days just don’t read. It’s all of the texting. No, video games. No, reality TV shows brought to you in high definition." To tell you the truth, I’m not sure what it is. What I do know is that whatever it is, it has left you as the last reader on earth. Some may see this as a problem. I see it as a gift. Read on last reader. Why put up with the struggle of being the last reader on earth? Books give us information. They give us knowledge. They give us enjoyment. But perhaps the most important thing books give us is the reminder that the way we see the world is not the only way the world may be seen. Simply put, there are many ways to see the same thing, and to borrow a line from a pretty smart playwright, "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." Your generation will live in a world made up of differences. Different people from different backgrounds living in the same space. Different ways of living and different likes and dislikes. Without a doubt, adults will tell you who to trust, how to live, and what to like and dislike. That has been, and will continue to be, the role an older generation feels it must fill. Yet, to be truly alive, you must decide for yourself what to believe in and how to live. While it is right to respect and honor the words of your elders, books will remind you that their views are but a few of many. Since age brings wisdom, you will find their views to be fair and worth sharing. But in the few cases where you may decide to form your own opinions, it is in books that you will discover that you are not alone in your thinking. Every society that has ever attempted to control the way young people think has worked to control the books they could and could not read. You see, books open the eyes of their readers to many different ways of seeing the world. Books remind us that dropped pop-ups in close games bring tears as well as cheers. Cheers from those that have scored the winning run, and tears from those left to think again and again about their heartbreaking loss. Understanding each point of view reminds us to be thankful for our victories and to be accepting of our losses. For books tell us time and time again that to be human is to win and to lose, to laugh and to cry, to live and to die. So last reader, you really are not alone. As each generation appears as waves rolling onto the shoreline, another rolls quietly back out to sea. Thankfully, some people have taken the time to capture their thoughts on the pages of books. If you take the time to listen, their voices will speak to you from the past, so that you may better understand your future. Then it will be up to you to put some thoughts down on paper before rolling out to sea. Don’t worry, he or she who rolls in on the next sparkling wave will see that your words are read. For he or she may be the next last reader on earth, and every last reader must take his or her responsibility seriously. You see, without you, there may come a day when books go unread, and voices roll out to sea without sharing their wisdom. Wisdom that reminds us that there is more than one way to see the world. More than one way to live your life. More than one way to view a dropped pop-up in the ninth inning of a close game. So get a book. Get reading. Open your eyes to a world that is waiting to reveal itself to you. You will be a better person for having done so. We will be better people because you have done so. Thank you last reader on earth. Thank you for taking the time to read this note. Richard Linkens Director of English, Social Studies, and Academic Intervention Services