Message of Gratitude

Dear Shrewsbury Families, Colleagues, & Community Members,

During this season of giving thanks, please allow me to express my gratitude for all you do to make Shrewsbury Public Schools a strong school district.  I am reminded each day of how fortunate we are to have supportive families, dedicated and skillful staff, and a community that provides the important resources needed to educate our children.  I am inspired by the many student successes that happen every day in our schools.  

Many of these successes are very public and rightfully celebrated:  engaging classroom experiences producing high levels of learning; creation of unique works of art; and superb performances in music, drama, academic competitions, and athletics.  

However, many of the most important successes are only known to the individuals involved: a struggling student reaching a key learning goal with the help of their teacher; a young person gaining a coping strategy to address a social or emotional challenge with support from a counselor; a family experiencing food insecurity receiving assistance coordinated by staff members; a child with a significant disability gaining a sense of belonging through inclusion; a youth struggling with negative behavior improving with encouragement from their school administrator and their parents.  There are countless interactions each day in our schools that make a significant impact, so during this Thanksgiving week I simply wish to say "Thank you" to you all for making a positive difference in the lives of our students.  

As we head into the break, I hope you have a wonderful holiday with family and friends.  Safe travels and happy Thanksgiving!

Respectfully,

Joe Sawyer
Superintendent of Schools