Mark Gruen
By MARK GRUEN
Royall School District superintendent
Happy holidays! In an effort to give you some winter well-wishes ahead of time this year, I started this note in early November. However, it was 8 degrees that morning when I drove in to work, and I already had been up three times at 4:30, talking about the weather with Bob Brown of Brown Bus Service (regarding whether or not to have school.
As winter rolls in, I do want to put in a small plug for the cooperation between our food service department and our school garden. The agriculture department ran our school garden this year. We were able to use many of the vegetables grown in the garden in our salad bar daily, along with providing the Brussels sprouts and the carrots for a taste-testing event in late October.
As you reflect on the many blessings in your life, I hope that you will keep others less fortunate in your thoughts. My annual challenge stands that each of you take time to help spread good cheer to those in need. We have many families right here in our own communities who experience the holidays with anxiety and a feeling of hopelessness.
On a more positive note, please plan on joining us for one of the winter concerts:
• 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 — Royall Intermediate School concert in the high school gymnasium
• 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9 — Royall Middle School concert in the high school gymnasium
• 7:15 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9 — Royall High School concert in the high school gymnasium
• 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec.16 — 4K through third-grade concert in the elementary school gymnasium
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Our annual Royall Booster Club Alumni Weekend is fast approaching. It is planned for the weekend of Jan. 1011. The booster club has decided to keep it on the second weekend in January annually so everyone can mark his or her calendars.
We kick off Friday night with a meal put on by the Royall Booster Club. Our Wall of Fame inductees will be unveiled at halftime of the varsity girls’ game that night vs. Brookwood.
On Saturday, we have alumni basketball and volleyball starting at 9 a.m. Please consider joining us for all or part of the special weekend. The booster club puts a lot of energy into this fundraiser annually and certainly would appreciate your support.
On the topic of the Hall of Fame, please consider nominating someone for this prestigious award. You can contact me directly for the application process.
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I have reserved 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, for my next lunch with the superintendent. It is very simple: join me for lunch to discuss whichever topic you choose, such as budgeting, scheduling, staffing, or even politics. I would appreciate it if you called to let me know you were coming so we could plan for the appropriate space. I am also willing to come to you with information. Please give me a call and let me know where you would like to meet, when you would like me to attend, and what to prepare for, and I will be there.
