Principal's Message

These last six weeks have flown by and as each day passes, I have reasons to be thankful to be here with you at Las Posas Elementary.  After an exciting 50^th anniversary opening, the hectic pace in the office has slowed a bit and a regular school day routine has taken over, like a steady heartbeat after a quick sprint.  In an effort to reduce paper and duplicating costs, most of you will be reading this newsletter online on our website or as an email attachment.  This is just one of many ways we can assure that school resources are more efficiently used for your child’s educational needs.  As a former engineer, my senses are focused on finding simple solutions that minimize waste.  As an educator, I care deeply about the welfare of each member of our school community.

We are living in unprecedented times, with an incredible array of technological tools at our disposal, one even at my fingertips as I type this letter (the personal computer) that was not even available until the end of my college days, some 25 years ago.  In contrast to that progress, many in our community are facing the same personal struggles, perhaps at even a more significant degree, than those in the Great Depression eighty years ago.

I can’t help but think what impressions our school children will take away from these times.  Will they first look to technological solutions from the media marketing and consumer response of electronic gadgets that filter thorough our lives?  Will they be more conservative in risk-taking because of the economic recession that surrounds us?  Or will they recognize, like many of us have, that simple, caring, eye-to-eye contact with a sense of compassion cuts through the most difficult of situations.  And perhaps they will come to understand that taking the risk of raising a hand to ask a question in class may be the most important step in taking charge of their own education, personalizing it to suit their needs.

You can get the sense of a school fairly quickly, especially from eyes like mine who have seen a variety of school campuses in my 14 years of teaching and administrative practice.  I can tell you that from what I can see, your students are in excellent hands.  The experienced and close-knit teachers, staff and committee members at Las Posas are going above and beyond each day to ensure that they are using the very best methods and strategies to perform their jobs.  They work long hours, they collaborate, they are responsive to change, they seek out creative solutions, they prepare carefully for each day and they constantly demonstrate patience and understanding.  And amidst all their work, they laugh and celebrate.  Just last week, I witnessed a full-scale celebration including an elaborately decorated treat table in the staff lounge (including a custom frosted cake) and staff dressed in matching outfits to commemorate the first episode of Grey’s Anatomy.

What great examples they are for your children in a year that we, regardless of the struggles we face as a community and as a nation, must face with courage and enthusiasm.  Let them marvel at our pride, spirit, and willingness to embrace change.

Leap, Leopards, Leap!

Principal Martinez