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To: Our
Community of Learners
From: Dr.
Joseph M. Dubec, Superintendent of Schools
Dear Community Member:
Well, it looks as if Mother Nature (or at least
her representative here in Chicago!) has decided
to finally put on her seasonal art show----at no
charge! All around the region, but especially
here at our Central Administration building on
119th Street in Palos Park, natures
abundance is a-flame with fire red, orange,
yellow, and rich earth tone leaves lining
streets and gracing lawns. Yes, autumn is
here---a season marked by gratitude. Our
primary classrooms are learning about
Thanksgiving; the Plymouth Pilgrims and the
heritage of the holiday---- perhaps for the
first time. Earnest Thanksgiving performances
will be shared with parents----our youngest of
students will undoubtedly tug at our
heartstrings the way only innocent five and six
year olds dressed as pilgrims and Indians can
do. Older students will hold charity drives
that help feed those less fortunate than many of
us. Our learning community finds joy in
emphasizing the importance of gratitude this
time of year. In turn, as Superintendent, I too
reflect on the countless members of our 118
community to whom I am grateful. Our dedicated
and caring core of teachers who do the most
important work of all; educating our
students----I am thankful to each of you. Our
principals whose leadership drives our
instructional programs----thank you for your
tireless commitment to our students and
teachers. To our building secretaries, media
center specialists, instructional assistants,
custodial staff and transportation staff----you
are the backbone of our schools----and it is
true, your jobs are sometimes thankless. Make
no mistake, without your truly hard work, our
principals, teachers, and students could not do
their work. When we log on to computers to
perform research, or make use of our abundance
of technology, we often forget that someone
works exhaustively to make our technology work.
And, so we thank you. Countless educational and
supplemental programs are possible because our
district operates under extremely responsible
and talented fiscal leadership. Again, I say
thanks----and again, the words are not enough.
Gratitude is a feeling of
thankfulness and appreciation. It does take a
village to educate a child. Unfortunately, many
school districts are not as abundant as we are
here in 118 where our parents, families, and
community members are concerned. From our PFA,
to our Foundation, Music Parents, and parent
helpers of all kinds----your devotion to our
learning community is truly remarkable. Thank
you is hardly enough to express how much all of
us here in 118 appreciate each and every one of
you who support our mission. And finally, I
express gratitude this time of year to our Board
of Education. The characteristics that help
make a school district excellent are
un-equivocally underpinned by a school board
that provides school leadership teams with a
range of tools and frameworks that make schools
effective. Our board members serve our school
district with great pride and enthusiasm;
continually strengthening and guiding our school
district to greater and greater heights. I
thank the Board of Education of Palos School
District 118 on behalf of our family of
learners.
May the autumn season find
each of you plentiful in happiness and health.
Gratefully Yours,
Joseph Dubec, Ed.D., J.D.
Superintendent of Schools
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