Tis the season . . .

Two weeks til Christmas . . . Are you ready for the holiday season? Hopefully you have plans to be with your family and enjoy some time away from school. Try not to get stressed about the "stuff" of Christmas but focus on the true meaning.

I would like to mention this week the wonderful efforts of our EC staff: Lisa Scott, Kara Richardson, Linda Dawson-Levy (welcome back!), Ellen Weston, Pat Fetherolf, Lacey Brigman, Kaye Hunter, Julia Edmonds, Joe Miller, Janet McKay, Erma Decker, Lynn Palm, Karen Parker, Carl Archie, Kedrick Dobson, Gary Michael, and Tina Parks-Ramsey. This has been a year of change in many ways for our teachers and students. I appreciate their efforts and the efforts of all the staff in serving these students.

Garrett Davis has worked extremely hard with a group of students for the holiday production - The Jefferson House. This play has a tremendous message and I thought was well performed by our students. These students handle the lighting and even helped write the script! It was very evident of the long hours of preparation that were put into this performance. Also, thank you to Joanna Palmer and Catherine Burton for being flexible with the space of the auditorium.

Our SIT met on Monday. This dedicated group of teachers (lead by Mike McDowell) have focused on grant ideas the teachers can apply for to help fund classroom needs/wants. I've very impressed with the amount of work that has gone toward this idea - I've heard good news about many of the grants. Keep up the hard work! SIT also would like for the school to revisit some of the rules at TJMS. Please help re-inforce the rules to your students so we can continue to move forward with our Single School Culture. Time to tighten things up a bit!

On a much more serious note . . . I'm missing the NUTCRACKER from my office. It was taken and a ransom note was left. This may be funny to some but for those who are involved there will be ramifications. This was the note that was left: A holiday season without my Nutcracker will not be the same :(

"The Nutcracker decided to find a new home,

He was unhappy standing alone.

Virginia Tech was his special place,

Now he's gone without leaving a trace.

He will be happy so leave him be,

Don't go looking for him in the Christmas tree.

When you get him a companion to stand by his side,

You will show him you have Christmas spirit deep inside."

With that said, enjoy your weekend. Get some rest. 5 more days . . .

Go Patriots!