Let's finish stong!

Summer is just around the corner and the warm and sunny weather we have been experiencing lately makes it feel like it is already here. As an educator, I worry that it is too easy to let the long days, warm nights and sunshine fool us into thinking summer vacation has already started. It’s important for all of us to remember that it’s only June and school is still in session. In fact, we are approaching the most important part of our academic year.

While even I am prone to summer dreaming right now, it is very important for us all – parents, teachers and students – to remain focused on the academic work at hand and press hard toward the finish line. For Junior-Senior High School students this means bearing down on these last few lessons and exam reviews and studying hard for upcoming Regents and final exams. At the Elementary School level, students should be concentrating on learning the lessons that will ensure they are ready to move on to the next grade level.

Now is not the time for us to let up on our commitment to our mission. There will be plenty of time for rest, relaxation and fun during the long summer break. Now is the time to work even harder and close the year on a high academic note. There is no substitute for “in-class” time with our highly qualified and dedicated teaching staff. I hope students will take advantage of the time left of this school year, because every second counts.