This month I will have completed my 16th year in Pelham, a period during which we have experienced radical shifts on many levels. Enrollment increased from approximately 1800 to the current level of 2860 students, requiring the hiring of 50 to 75 new teachers in some years.   State assessments changed from testing minimal levels of competency in the 1990s to higher standards of excellence and mastery. Technology became an integral part of not only what goes on in the classroom but also how we run our schools.  More recently, we have also faced some of the most difficult times in public education in this state due to the poor economic conditions that currently exist.

Starting as Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Personnel, then as Assistant Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent and as Superintendent since August 2008, I have been privileged to work with a terrific staff, dedicated parents and a supportive community.  In my letter to the staff, I reflected on the many things that we have accomplished  in the spirit of cooperation and collaboration.  It is clear that a lot of the work we began 10 or 15 years ago has well positioned us to respond effectively to the challenges we are facing today.  Some of this work was behind-the-scenes, such as the curriculum-mapping project, which lay the foundation for our ongoing efforts to build a cohesive K-12 curriculum. 

I am most proud of our ability to infuse and integrate appropriate educational technology into the classroom and the profound change it has had on how students learn and teachers teach.  Our priority was always carefully selecting technology and training teachers to improve our educational programs. The end result was always what is best for our students and how to enhance learning. I would like to thank The Pelham Education Foundation for their ongoing help to implement this vision.

Yet there comes a time in everyone's personal and professional life when you know it is time to move on. I recently received my invitation to my high school's 50th reunion and I could not help but think about the things that I still wanted to accomplish in life, including in the field of education. I know it is time to change paths and begin to look at my life differently. 

I believe Pelham is in a very good place at this point, both educationally and financially. This is in keeping with the fine legacy of strong, effective leadership that has allowed the Pelham Schools to flourish. Our efforts toward developing a climate of excellence have taken hold and our students continue to demonstrate their successes through their many accomplishments.  This is evident at Board of Education meetings when our students showcase what they are learning. Our students bring robots  and helicopters they have built. They have brought us pastries they have prepared as part of their culinary training through BOCES.  They have performed original skits that have won recognition in history competitions. We have more students getting into the highest level of colleges and universities. We currently have an Intel semi finalist and a long list of prizes for science research. We have state and national winners in Forensics and math. We have two athletic teams that made it to the state finals.  We are providing more opportunities for students to excel and pursue their interests than ever before.  Everyone should be proud of our students and all of our teachers who promote this type of excellence.

I am very thankful that we have an infrastructure that is supportive of 21^st century learning. I thank each and everyone who has given of themselves for our students.   I know this is not easy. The new demands on education at times can seem overwhelming. 

I am thankful for my time with you and look forward to giving you my very best for the remaining months of this calendar year before my retirement in December.

Best wishes to each of you and thank you for standing with me in making the Pelham Schools the great place that it is.

Sincerely,
Dennis R. Lauro
Superintendent of Schools