From the Desk of the President of the Harrington Park Board of Education
Greetings HP!
I hope everyone had a fun and restful winter break! Our last meeting took place just prior to our winter recess, on a cold and windy “pre-storm” evening. In fact, just as the meeting was called to order, phones throughout the room began chiming in unison as all were notified of the snow day to follow. After the room settled, we received a report from the Student Council. Two members presented in turn and discussed the conclusion of the council's very successful “100th Day Food Drive”, which has gathered enormous donations for the Norwood Food Pantry. The council also provided updates on their “Heart Grams Sale”, which will benefit the American Heart Association. It is always inspiring to hear from our student council and the opportunities they create for students to make a positive impact in the world.
The Board then moved on to Agenda items, and a few notables included the final approval of the School Calendar for the 2024-25 year, as well as the approval of Kimberly Weber as administrator for HP’s very successful “Spartan Summer Escape” program for 2024. Then a powerful moment arrived with the approval, with regret, of the retirement of Ms. Valerie Piatkowski effective August 30, 2024. Personal stories were shared by Board members and community members alike, and all spoke emotionally of Ms. Val’s enormous heart, her incredible steadiness and courage, and the truly mythical place she occupies in the minds of generations of HP’s students. On this last topic, I recalled my daughter’s 8th Grade class being very certain that Ms. Val possessed the ability to “teleport” within the school. I was always being updated with further examples and evidence, always serious in nature. Not enough can be said about the place Ms. Val has held in our children’s school experience. We hope all in our community will join us in showing our deep gratitude to Ms. Val and wishing her all the best in her well-deserved retirement.
Our next meeting will take place on March 11, 2024, in the APR. Please also join us at one of our upcoming community meetings (March 18th, April 4th, and May 14th at 7 p.m. in the APR) to discuss our strengths as a district and how we can best achieve continued excellence and growth through Strategic Planning. Don’t miss this opportunity to participate in shaping the future of the Harrington Park School District! Stay tuned for an email and mid-year update video from Superintendent Conlon later this week in which he will introduce the Strategic Planning process.
Have a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Matthew Lehmann