Dear Brown MS Community,

Vacation has arrived! It has certainly been a long haul these past 10 weeks, and we are all ready for a well deserved break. I hope that all of our students and staff are able to truly unwind this coming week and refuel for the next leg of our journey. Earlier this week a teacher mentioned to me that her advisees proclaimed that after April vacation school is essentially over. That worried her, and it worries me. There is still a lot of time left in the school year and students will need to keep their stamina up. As the weather gets nicer outside motivation dwindles. However, there is plenty of learning left to do between April 22 and the last day of school (June 27). Keeping students engaged will take a community effort. So, let’s support them and one another upon our return after break.

Parents, when we return from break please re-up your efforts to help your children:

• get enough rest each night (so they arrive to school on time)
• maintain homework routines (so they stay on top of their learning)
• eat healthy food and drink plenty of water (so they keep their energy up throughout the day)
• limit screen time and check what they are doing on their phones and devices (so they remain safe online)

Conversations with teens and tweens can be difficult. When my kids were in middle and high school, it sometimes felt like I was talking to myself. Many times I wondered if anything was sinking in. After completing the marathaon of raising teens, I have learned from my kids that they secretly were listening. So much of what I pushed on my kids is showing itself now – years later. They are making lists to keep track of their responsibilities, eating breakfast, taking time to exercise, drinking water and owning their own mistakes. So, do not give up – it truly is a marathon!

Speaking of marathons, I want to wish any of you that are participating in the Boston Marathon this Monday the best of luck! I know many of you will will be sponsoring and cheering on the runners who raise funds for worthy causes. It is a special time each year in Newton, and the weather looks pleasant. I will not be there to cheer the runners on this year because we are heading south to visit my daughter in North Carolina. I can’t wait to see her!

Finally, I will not be sending a newsletter next Friday since it is vacation. Therefore, I want to send an early wish for a Happy Passover to all of our community members who are celebrating. The Jewish celebration of Passover begins at sundown on Monday, April 22, and concludes after nightfall on April 30. Many Jewish families may host Seders during the holiday. We wish all that celebrate chag Pesach samech (a happy Passover)!

I wish you all a wonderful vacation,

Kim Lysaght