5/28/20
Dear 8th grade students and families,
I hope this letter finds you all doing well, despite the very unsettling and unusual circumstances we have found ourselves in over the past few months. We spent a lot of time planning our first year in the new building and enjoyed the six months or so that we had getting to know the collection of students from our eight towns that became our NRMS student community. None of us could’ve prepared for what transpired when we left school on March 12th and how it now has forced us to come to grips with the fact that we won’t be able to finish this inaugural year in the building with each other. As a principal and a parent of an 8th grader myself, I have no words to adequately capture how unfair and disappointing it all feels.
However, we are trying to forge ahead by making sure the 8th graders know that we are thinking about them and haven’t forgotten that 8th grade is a special year. Although we are not going to be getting together to celebrate right now (due to various restrictions and high school graduation taking priority), we have met with the high school staff to brainstorm ideas about a possible in-person event before school starts next fall. In addition, the 8th grade teachers have purchased for each 8th grader a sweatshirt and a yearbook (if you had already ordered and paid for a yearbook you are getting reimbursed). Lifetouch also made up certificates that each student will receive along with the other items. We know this doesn’t replace the ceremony that we were in the process of developing, but we wanted the 8th graders to have a few presents that are gifted only to them.
As we wrap up this school year, I wanted to sincerely express my gratitude for all of the support and encouragement we received this year. There were growing pains, which were to be expected with a consolidation this size, but we were so pleased with how quickly the students came together and started to identify as a class. I’m glad they had this year to get to know each other as it will make the transition into next year a little easier, especially considering how abruptly it all ended. In a very short period of time, they showed themselves to be Warriors, which was awesome to witness. We are so proud of them and know you are too! We have no doubt they will crossover to the other side of the building next year with the “heart of a Warrior” and do great things!
Have a great summer and take care!
Angela Brown