Happy Thanksgiving! Good Morning HCS!I simply cannot believe that tomorrow is Thanksgiving. It feels like just a moment ago we were all focused on "back to school" activities and preparation! “I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson As we head into the long weekend and time with family and friends, my cup runneth over with gratitude for the Honeoye Central School District. Our students are a tangible reminder of what is truly important and the shared purpose of our work. Our incredible teachers, teaching assistants, school nurse, counseling and mental health staff, transportation, food service, facilities crew, clerical staff, and administrative team are world class and demonstrate authentic care and advocacy for our students and public education. As I have shared before, positivity is infectious, and HCS is a learning community with PRIDE, SPIRIT, UNITY and positive attitude. HCS has demonstrated resolve and desire to achieve amidst the greatest face of adversity - the COVID-19 pandemic. This community’s commitment to public education shouts a clear message that our work matters and that the success of our students may be attained even when faced with the most difficult of challenges. Thank you to all of our families and community members for partnering with us to ensure the success and safety of our learners. “Reflect upon your present blessings—of which every individual has many—not on your past misfortunes, of which all individuals have some.” ~ Charles Dickens Secondary Principal Search UpdateAt this time, the district is fully enmeshed in the search process to secure a dynamic leader for our secondary building. If you have not already done so, please consider taking this brief survey by the end of day to share the qualities/leadership attributes believed to be most important for the position and a best fit for HCS. My gratitude to the parent and students who have expressed interest in serving on stakeholder group interview committees on Monday, December 6. Please note that ALL stakeholder committee groups will provide feedback and confidence ratings to the superintendent. This feedback will inform decision making in the appointment of a successful candidate as the next secondary principal at the POUND.HCS Secondary Principal Search Timeline: November 10 - November 28: HCS Secondary Principal Application Period (Note: Competitive pool of applicants secured to date) November 29: Vetting of Candidate Credentials November 29 - November 30: Creation of Stakeholder Interview Questions December 2: Cabinet Screening Interviews December 6: Semi Finalist Interviews with Stakeholders December 6 - 8: Reference Checks on Finalists December 9: Finalist Interviews with Superintendent and BOE Introductions December 15: Board of Education Appointment of HCS Secondary Principal On or About January 15: HCS Secondary Principal Start Date As I shared in my communication on November 9, Kathy Hargis will be returning to Honeoye on December 6 to serve as Interim Secondary Principal. This start date will afford Kathy Hargis and Mrs. Klaehn an opportunity to share several days of transition time together. Kathy Hargis will remain at HCS throughout the period of our search and the eventual start date of the next HCS secondary principal.On behalf of the Honeoye Central School District, thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in advocacy for all HCS students. There is no place like Honeoye... Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!Warmest regards,E. Bridget AshtonElizabeth Bridget AshtonSuperintendent, Honeoye Central School District8528 Main StreetHoneoye, New York 14471[email protected]On Twitter: @EBridgetAshton