Principal's Message

Happy Monday, and last week of school, Redwood Families!

We have arrived.  The last week of school is upon us.  It has been quite a year.  A year filled with learning, a bit of fun, and maybe a digression or two... Speaking of which, I have the results of the top ten list!  Well, to be frank (final frankness of the year) only nine parents responded.  Yet, they are nine gem dandy responses!  Rather than listing said responses, especially since a few are a bit novelesque in nature, allow me to indulge you with a few snippets with my commentary in boldface:

• Shameless parents who drop their kids off on Montauk (shameless seems a bit heavy-handed, but I'm sensing your frustration.)
• Red light racers who are not mindful of crosswalks (Shout out to the crossing guards!  They deserve battle pay.)
• Fruitvale line cutters... (Do the rules not apply to you? See Montauk descriptor above.)
• Shadow Oaks Shout out - Blocking our driveway just so your precious baby doesn't have to walk five extra feet (Don't we all need to get our steps in?)
• My goodness* just pull forward! (Please note that the word goodness was used to keep it G-rated.)
• The Allendale Loop... (Sentiments similar to the previous line with additional goodnesses added.)
• If we just restructured the parking lot... (Isn't it sweet that someone actually had a suggestion?)

Thanks to one and all for playing along.  I will certainly be adding more surveys next year!  Yet, before I steer away from the topic I do want to share an anecdote from last Wednesday morning.  While on my way into work a teacher called my cell to let me know that one of our students had crashed his bike on Fruitvale.  He noted that multiple parents had pulled over to help the student.  Literally one second after hanging up I have an email from one of the parents letting me know the condition of the young man as well as informing me that they had called his mom.  After reading it I get a bit teary-eyed, these moments always pull on my heart strings.  We just have the most kind and caring parents!  At this point, I pull off and approach the student who is being examined by emergency personnel (he was banged up but fine by the way) and check in.  Without missing a beat he says, "Mr. Hamm!  Will you do me a favor?"  Obviously, I oblige and ask what he needs, to which he responds, "Will you turn in my math book for me?  It's due today."  I almost guffawed.  Banged up and bandaged and the first thing on his mind is his math book!  You just have to love our students!

In other news, the eighth grade students attended their celebration on Saturday night, and it was quite a shindig!  PTA parent volunteers outdid themselves and put on quite an event.  The students partied into the night, and some even danced!  I've included a few photos for your viewing pleasure.  As a final salutation, I wanted to share my appreciation for each and everyone out there.  It isn't easy being a parent, especially of a middle schooler, but know, you are doing a great job!  No, this isn't my "bye-bye" pep talk, all the while knowing that they will be solely on your hands for the next few months, although I can't lie, it is a good feeling.  I genuinely mean it.  Keep up the good work.  For those moving on, you will be missed.  For those who are staying, know that there are more non sequiturs in your future... Thank you too, for allowing me to be me, and write a school newsletter that really has nothing (or does it?) to do with school at all.

Until we meet again.

Steve