Text Box: From the Principal’s Desk… The Christmas season is upon us with all the hustle and bustle of activity. Holiday art work is already adorning the hallways and everyone is enjoying the spirit of this special time of year. In this month’s newsletter, you will find information about our upcoming Christmas programs, which will be held on December 8th (K-2nd grades) and December 1oth (3rd-4th grades). Prior to each program, the Midland PTO will be selling baked goodies, starting at 6 pm. Mmmmm! At the conclusion of the programs, our music teacher, Stephanie Oltman will lead everyone, including audience members, in a couple of Christmas carols, which are sure to put everyone in the holiday mood! We look forward to seeing everyone here! During the month of December, we will hold a “loose change collection” for the Lacon Home Journal Red Stocking Fund. We’ll encourage students to drop their pennies and loose change into collection envelopes in each classroom. On Wednesday, Dec. 16th, we’ll count all of our change and make a donation to the Red Stocking Fund. We think this will be a small and simple, but effective way for our students to learn how they can serve their community and give to others during the Christmas season. Finally this month, I’d like to take a moment to thank Mrs. Pam Barnes, who has been working as a special education teacher for the first semester. She willingly filled in as a long-term substitute when I asked her last summer. She is such a kind and caring teacher. Our students AND staff were so fortunate to have been able to spend the last 4 and 1/2 months with her. Her thoughtfulness and compassion for children truly set an example for others. I will miss her kind emails and notes next semester! Thank you Pam for all of your help this school year! We have so much to celebrate, and we also have those in the Midland School community that need to be remembered and supported. We have several families with sons, daughters, parents and other family members serving in our armed forces overseas. Especially during this season we think of them, their families and hope for their safety, for their safe return home and for peace everywhere. I wish for each of you a joyful and peaceful Christmas season!