From the Desk of the Superintendent

On Friday, May 2, dozens of volunteers from across the Baldwin-Whitehall School District took part in our annual Day of Caring. That’s the special day each spring when our students and teachers give the older residents in our neighborhood a helping hand with home repairs, yard work, and other household tasks that are much easier with the help of youthful energy.

For our students, teachers, and staff, it’s a great way to give back to the seniors who have already given so much in support of our schools over the years. To them, these acts of kindness are more than just a handy reason to spend a beautiful day outdoors (although that certainly helps). Each of our volunteers knows that when the Day of Caring ends, their time and effort will have made life better for someone who needed them.

For the older residents who receive our help, the Day of Caring can help them reduce stress by taking a tough task off their to-do list. It also provides them with peace of mind, a stronger bond with our District community, and a personal connection to the young folks they meet. It’s one thing for a student to pass by a stranger’s house on the way to or from school, or for a resident to see streams of students coming and going throughout the day; it’s another for them to recognize each other, wave hello, or stop and catch up.

That sense of community connection is what our Day of Caring is really all about. Yes, we’re a school district that cares deeply about our students’ academic and social development. And yes, we’re also a school district that greatly values the contributions of local residents as neighbors, taxpayers, and good role models. But above all else, we are a District that respects every individual while also finding ways to connect and collaborate as a supportive and encouraging community of friendly neighbors who care.

Thank you to everyone who took part in this year’s Day of Caring, and for continuing to embody the spirit of caring all year long. Kindness is one lesson that you can never learn too often. I am so grateful for your commitment to our District’s values, and to live and work in a community that cares.