Hello. Meet Alice.

At first, you might think I’m going to re-introduce to Alice in Wonderland.
 
Not that this would be a bad idea.

Throughout her assorted adventures, she said a number of profound things you and I can learn from.

This comment from Alice particularly rings true, wouldn’t you agree?

“It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.”

Hmmm.
I think Alice’s statement of truth connects with the importance our district’s Strategic Plan as well.

Even the best of organizations can’t go back to “yesterday.”

So, it’s only prudent for all of us who care about FSD and our community to keep forging and implementing our Strategic Plan together.

And at the end of this email, I want to introduce you to a different Alice who is now lending her support to the staff in our district.

For background, remember that our Strategic Plan serves as FSD’s North Star and has four specific action areas:

• #1  Maintain and strengthen our district’s “Culture of Excellence”  (in instruction, staffing, programs, learning opportunities, etc.)
• #2  Maintain and strengthen FSD’s financial sustainability, today and into the future 
• #3  Maintain and strengthen FSD’s facilities and technology (to support 21^st century learning, build global competencies, and ensure we’re using our available resources wisely)
• #4  Maintain and strengthen FSD’s supportive relationship with our community

We’re faithfully pressing ahead in all four areas, and I appreciate how everyone has embraced a positive “growth mindset” approach, one where we encourage each other to honor and respect our success and traditions from the past while exploring ways we can take them to the next level in the future.

I especially like this visual by @victor_bigfield (Twitter).

It’s a great reminder that no one person knows enough on their own or can accomplish more than a committed and unified team.

AND because of its support to our committed and unified FSD team, I want to give a special shoutout to the Frankenmuth Credit Union Community Foundation for its recent gift to the staff at EF Rittmueller Middle School.

It’s incredible!

Thanks to EFR instructional para-pro Marla Hoffmann who wrote up and sent in the official request to the credit union selection committee last fall, there is now a brand new state-of-the-art “zero gravity” electronic massage chair in a partitioned section of the middle school’s staff lounge.

Since its arrival about 10 days ago, staff members from all across the district have been signing up for 20-minute weekly relaxation sessions.

The chair is available for any FSD staff member from 6 am to 6 pm, Monday-Friday.

“Since the pandemic, improved health and wellness has been front and center,” said Marla, who has been with FSD 17 years. “The rationale I gave in my request to the committee is based on what I see every day. Teaching and supporting learners haven’t gotten any easier. Now when someone has a stressful moment, they have a quick way to feel better during lunch or a break in their work schedule. It boosts their spirits – and then helps them with our kids too!”

I’m now proud to introduce you to Alice – the freshly named and rapidly-growing-in-popularity massage chair at EFR.

Once again, I’m grateful to the Frankenmuth Credit Union Community Foundation for this generous gift and for being one of the latest examples of the support FSD receives from our community.

And FYI – It aligns perfectly with Strategic Plan action area #4. (Which earns it a double thumbs-up from me!)

Even Alice would agree!
 
Thanks for all you do as well!