Greetings
GreenMount Community,
On
Friday, for Community Day, one our parents, Jim Pietila, joined us to talk
about Veterans’ Day. The students were
treated to a unique display of uniforms and equipment that Captain Pietila used
in his career as a United States Marine.
His was an interesting history, going from a sailor in the Navy to the
Naval Academy to study atomic reactors, to the Marine Corps to pilot C-130
transport aircraft. After his discussion
about serving our country, students tried on uniforms and posed for pictures
that you can find on our Facebook page.
This activity was fun for the students, but also pointed out the
importance of recognizing veterans for their service. Today, we concluded the activities in our
Monday Morning Meeting, at which the students were given cards to complete for
our Wounded Warriors recovering at Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, MD. We talked about the persistence of these
individuals as they struggle to recover from their wounds while remaining
positive and looking forward to productive lives. Some actually return to the military to
continue to serve in whatever capacity they can. These are truly special individuals, and this
morning we had a good discussion about them.
We have a lot of good news to share
today. Friday was a very special day
because we had a chance to attend and celebrate the wedding of Ms. Tanza and
her new husband, Joe. It was a great
wedding and it was obvious that Joe and Tanza were meant for each other. It was my pleasure to share a table with our
staff members and to do so in a setting that had none of the academic or
child-centered activities that monopolize our days at GMS. Sitting around that table, I realized what a
special group of people we have accumulated here at GreenMount. We have known for a long time that they are
great teachers. But on Friday it was fun
to see them just as a group of really nice people who support each other and interact
positively in every way. I am very
fortunate to be the head of a school with such a wonderful group of
individuals.
Our other wonderful news is that
Elaine and her husband, Ed, are adopting a baby as of Friday. Her name is Piper, and we are all thrilled
for the new parents. (Can’t you imagine what a great mom Elaine will be?) Elaine
will be on an extended leave of absence as required by her adopting agency, and
she has been working night and day to make arrangements for the completion of
all her duties in her absence. She will
be communicating with all of you this week about details of her great fortune
and what we can expect in her absence.
Naturally, that special staff I described will all be working together
to make sure that her tasks are managed and successfully completed.
Don’t forget our theme event on Friday. We are hustling and bustling around here to
get things ready for you, and I know that you will be impressed with what your
children have learned about the Civil War and the time period from 1820 to
1870.
"A friend is one to whom one may
pour out all the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing
that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping
and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away."
- Arabian Proverb
- Arabian Proverb
Cheers,
Steve
