Fabius-Pompey Middle School-High School

With the end of another school year there comes a sense of relief for some, and a lot of anxiety for others. For some, the end of the year represents the culmination of a lot of hard work. For others it brings the realization that they didn’t deliver with the effort they could have, and therefore didn’t achieve the success they know they could have. Whatever the emotion the student may be feeling, there are a lot of events and activities taking place.

For many of our students, this time of the year brings final exams, Regents exams and all of the preparation that comes with that. As always, help your child to prepare by helping them to get an appropriate amount of sleep each night (not just the night before an exam), to set aside an appropriate place for studying and preparation and to make sure that they are eating a good nutritious breakfast the morning of a big exam.

For one group at the Middle School-High School, the end of the year also brings a sense of finality. Our graduating seniors will participate in their last sports season, sing or play at their final concert and have attended their final prom. Soon they will participate in the commencement ceremony. Of course, commencement refers to the ceremony that marks the end of their high school career, but it also relates to the beginning of something new. Students are moving on to new challenges, such as college, a job/career or the military. I am incredibly proud of this group of seniors, as they have shown compassion, empathy and a general sense of caring toward the rest of the student body.

These are the qualities we hope all students have, or develop over time, as they are traits that will serve them well in life. These traits also make the school culture better, make learning more accessible and increase student achievement. These character traits were emphasized through Rachel’s Challenge, which came to Fabius-Pompey in March. The message she left behind was that compassion is incredibly important and the greatest form of human love. We must look to continue to reinforce and recognize these traits in our children as we move forward through the years. I will remember these seniors very positively, as they have shown leadership that I hope will inspire those who follow.