Superintendent Blog
Perspective . . .
Chris Gdowski
Superintendent
I thought about a variety of things that I could share with you on my way home tonight, but I received a call a few minutes ago that made all of those stories seem so insignificant. I envision this blog as an opportunity to share my thoughts, as a member of the broader Adams 12 school community, regarding our successes, failures, celebrations and losses. I'm sad that I'm sharing a huge loss with you tonight.
Dr. Paul Gordon, our Chief Academic Officer, phoned me to let me know that one of our first grade students at Federal Heights Elementary was killed earlier today. He was riding his bicycle near his home after school when he was hit by a motorist. Many District students from all age levels witnessed this accident or its aftermath and have been exposed to the most painful part of human existence.
Minutes before the call arrived I was talking to my two youngest children and trying to persuade them to go to bed. The thought that kept going through my head as I talked to them was "please go to bed. I've had a long day and really would like some quiet time to myself. Let's start over in the morning after a good night's sleep." I'm guilty, like many parents, of deferring quality time with my children to some idyllic time in the future. Tonight's call was a reminder of the lesson that we all seem to forget so easily -- that we need to live in and cherish the present.
I hope that all of you will keep this child, his family, his friends, and the others who were part of his life in your thoughts and prayers.
Unless I learn of needs for support for the Federal Heights community that are best communicated in this space, I will not make further posts this week. I'll use that time to reflect on a life lost at much too young of an age and to cherish my family more deeply. I encourage you to do the same.
