Thanksgiving 2012 Message from Plainview Schools

By Dr. Lorna R. Lewis

In moments of crisis we are presented with opportunities to triumph. The past few weeks have presented the Plainview-Old Bethpage community with enormous challenges and we are here to celebrate the fact that we have met the obstacles and emerged stronger for it.

Without electricity some of our young people received the gift of conversations with their families, the old fashioned way, as the power on the cell phones faded. Staff who themselves were flooded and without power, braved through the long gas lines to be here for the children.

The meaning of "Community" was revealed in the various acts of kindness demonstrated neighbor to neighbor as we all shared a common problem and sought solutions together.

The Plainview-Old Bethpage community is resilient and vibrant with a great deal to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season. The attendance at the Community Forum this past Monday was heartwarming. More than 350 residents took the time to complete the survey on-line and those in attendance were able to use the results to foster great conversations.

The data revealed how valued POB schools are to this community and also gave us some areas for growth. The Board of Education listened intently to your comments and will incorporate some of the issues raised into their work plans for the year.

The survey results are posted online and after the Thanksgiving break, the discussion summaries will be posted. If you are in the field of technology, you may still sign up for the Technology Visioning Committee by contacting my office at: (516) 937-6301.

When I sit at my Thanksgiving table this year I will reflect on the gift I have of joining this wonderful community that has made the educating of children a top priority. This is a gift that will keep on giving through the generations. Enjoy your Thanksgiving time together with family and friends.

Sincerely,

Lorna R. Lewis