Parent Magazine Volusia December 2018 | Page 7

FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT I t’s December, which officially means we have reached the halfway point of the 2018-19 school here at Volusia County Schools. It has been a fantastic first half of the school year, and I am proud of how hard our students and staff have worked to close out the term. Around the holiday season the focus is often on giving back. Volusia County Schools has stepped up in a big way to help those around us. We have seen our staff members participate in events such as the Thanksgiving Basket Brigade, Feed the Need Food Drive and Toys for Tots, among others. There are many who are in need and I am grateful for the generosity of our students and staff who go the extra mile to help. Sticking with the theme of “giving back,” Volusia County Schools found a way to help a school district in need. Earlier this term, we sent crews to Jackson County to assist in relief efforts after Hurricane Michael. We sent an eight-man crew and six trucks full of equipment to assist the Jackson County School District with some of their needs. I am proud of our district for stepping up and helping a fellow school district. It’s the perfect example of being “All In.” Near the end of November, we announced our five finalists for Teacher of the Year! Congratulations to these five teachers: Sharron DeRosier from Galaxy Middle; Ian Jackson from Taylor Middle-High; Sonia Larrabee from McInnis Elementary; Michelle Pons from Volusia Online Learning; and, Keisha Wallace from Atlantic High. We look forward to celebrating them and all our nominees at the Teacher of the Year banquet in January. As our students, staff and their families prepare for the upcoming holiday break, I wish you well and hope you find the time to relax and enjoy the moments that you have with one another. Thank you, James T. Russell, Superintendent VI SI T US ON L I N E AT WWW.PAREN T MAGAZIN EFLORIDA .COM VOLUSIA parent MAGAZINE | 5