December 17th, 2018

12/17/2018

12/11

Happy Holidays! Whatever you are celebrating this year my family and I want to wish you all the best. As a kid I can remember the tradition of going to my grandparent’s house on Christmas eve with everyone else in the family, crowding around the table for oyster stew, and then finally opening presents. As I’ve grown older and have my own family the meaning has changed. I now look forward to seeing the gleam in their eyes and that’s where I get the most from, giving.

For a lot of people this time of year is not the same. They may have been dealing with forces that prevent them from seeing the joy that is all around them. There was a time when I was one of those people. I had lost my job in October and we had nothing. We were scrimping and saving every last penny so that we would be able to put something under the tree for the kids. Fortunately for us, a large tote of gifts appeared on our porch shortly before Christmas. This profound act meant more to us than any of those people who donated items to us will ever know. For those people who don’t have friends like this depression can settle around them and drive them to do desperate acts. If you know of a person like this, or a family in need, speak up. Reach out to them. Call your local food shelf or church. There are schools in our islands who are collecting food and gifts for the needy so that they can celebrate Christmas. My family and I love to drive around the nearby towns and look at the decorations. Offer to take your neighbor, or their kids, for a drive.

Community action - www.cvoeo.org (help with utilities, heat, food shelf)
http://www.champlainislandsunitedmethodistparish.org/foodshelf.pdf

There are people out in need and all of us are able to help in one way or another. It doesn’t have to be food or gifts. Maybe just some company for the elderly neighbor who misses their family, or some friendly conversation to brighten the season. Just remember as you are driving around this holiday season, that not everyone can. Let’s all try to do a little something this year. Merry Christmas!

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Hello fellow Islanders! My name is Dave Mills and I am the Parent Liaison for the Grand Isle Supervisory Union serving all five schools. This is a federally funded position that relates to Title I Part A (No Child Left Behind Act) which requires the state to “help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.” (USDOE) What this means is that I get to work with schools and parents to help build connections so that our children are better equipped to succeed.

A majority of parents struggle from time to time with helping their children in school for various reasons, one of them being HOW the children are being taught now. Teaching methods have been changing so rapidly lately, they have left most of us in the dark, unable to grasp the lesson being taught. Perhaps you need a refresher in a subject you never felt comfortable in? Or maybe you’re in need of help with a tough topic and need some guidance on how you might address it with your child. I’m here to help you fill those gaps and be more comfortable addressing problems your child might be having. My goal in the supervisory union is to help you, and help your child succeed.

I will be going around to the different schools to get acquainted with them and to learn their philosophies as it relates to the students and to you the parents. I am also visiting with the various PTA’s and school boards to understand their roles in the school communities as well. If your school has an open house I will try to be there with any pertinent information so I hope to see you at some of these events.

December 17th, 2018

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