Clinton Township Newsletter

CLINTON TOWNSHIP SCHOOL NEWS www.ctsd.k12.nj.us A L e t t e r f r o m Dr. Drucilla Clark, Superintendent of Schools "Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you." –Carl Sandburg Dear Parents and Community Members: I am writing this on September 11 and as a New Yorker and American, it is a solemn day. I am being a bit introspective about how much time I have lost running from place to place and activity to activity with my kids over the years, and while much of it was fun, much of it is lost in a sea of car rides and frantic days. I think of the lives lost on 9/11 and the time never had by so many. It may seem odd for a Superintendent of Schools to be writing about this, but I keep thinking of how busy we get at this time of year and how we often forget the value of the small moments. These times are treasures we will never get back and our children are only small once. Our children are so precious and time with them means something. We need to be mindful of how we spend those "coins of time" and how our children learn to spend them, We need to help them make good choices with their time and be sure they know how valuable it is. Will they waste it away on endless hours of TV or while away moments dreaming and thinking? Will they run and play and exercise their bodies or sit inside playing videos? It is not that one choice is always better, but that young minds need all in moderation in order to grow in all directions. CTSD B o a r d of In the old days we were taught to be busy in my house, but busyness is not always good either. Taking time to do nothing is often more meaningful. Taking time to lay in the grass looking at clouds in the sky, can be an unbelievable adventure with a five year old. The singing group who sang, "slow down, you're moving too fast" may have been on to something. Every day in our children's lives does not need to be jam- packed to make us a good parent. Good parents come in all shapes and sizes and speeds. But good parents always spend their "coins of time" purposefully. Just because everyone is spinning, you and your child don't have to do so. Please take a moment and think together about what is most important and then spend away those "coins of time". Enjoy the opening of the school year and try to keep some perspective on the activity levels. It will help your children and it will remind you of what is of most value in your life and theirs. With appreciation for all our great parents and all they do, Dr. Drucilla Clark, Superintendent E d u c at i o n Board meeting dates for the 2013 calendar year: October 28, November 18,* December 16*, January 6, 2014*(Reorganization) *Meetings will be held on the fourth Monday of the month, except where noted. Meetings held at CTMS (34 Grayrock Rd.) in the Auditorium or Library at 7:30 pm. Find out what's going on in our schools, meet the Board and the Superintendent! All residents of CT are encouraged to attend, not just the parents of CTSD children. For BOE meeting minutes, visit: www.ctsd.k12.nj.us Cl i n to n Town s h i p O Sc h o o l c t o b e r Di s t r i c t 2 0 1 3 Mi s s i o n S tat e m e n t 13

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