top left, clockwise: The Field of Honor at John Jay High School thanks our local veterans. A turkey disguised as unicorn with rainbow feathers, created by a Katonah Elementary School first grader. Team Aspire at John Jay Middle School wrote notes of gratitude to people they are thankful for. "Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving," one of the books about giving thanks read by Increase Miller Elementary School fourth graders. John Jay High School's Food Drive - donations welcome December 1 - 3 (drop off in front of JJHS). A personal narrative written by a Meadow Pond Elementary School third grader to be shared with family at Thanksgiving.
Dear KLSD Community,
Before this unprecedented school year began, there was skepticism that it could work at all. It wasn’t uncommon to hear guesses as to how quickly we’d shut down. Making it to Columbus Day was considered a stretch by some. But here we are at Thanksgiving, with much for which to be thankful.
It has taken enormous collective effort to get us here. Over and over again, members of our community have put others before themselves. Whether it was wearing a mask all day long, redesigning a lesson for the umpteenth time, calling a family late at night to advise of contact with a positive case, keeping a child who longed to go to school home because the child might have been exposed, cleaning a space for the third, fourth and fifth time in a single day, being flexible at work or letting someone know how much you appreciate their efforts, you played your part in keeping school open and in keeping others safe.
This year has tested our collective spirit and that test is going to continue. As Thanksgiving passes, let’s strive to keep expressing gratitude for the sacrifices, commitment, perseverance, creativity, flexibility and understanding that will continue to be needed. The more we support one another, the more we can achieve.
My thanks to all. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
Andrew Selesnick
Superintendent of Schools