By Laurie Jones
Last March, as part of a committee asked to speak at the Warren Town Meeting, I presented the following statement addressing our beliefs about the Warren School community:
*We care deeply about our community.
*We value the way our traditions bring us together, enhance learning and provide opportunities to have fun together creating shared experiences.
*We are stronger as a community than as individuals and strive to teach our students the importance of empathy, respect, responsibility and above all, how to take care of one another.
At that point in time, I absolutely believed that these components were inherent values of the school board, the administration and the staff of Warren School. Unfortunately, since March my personal belief in this statement has been tested.
I would like to thank each and every individual who spoke on my behalf at the past three Warren School Board meetings. Your passion and kind words have helped me tremendously through the difficult days of June, July and now August. I also want to acknowledge the folks who took the time to write speeches but, when the time came, for whatever reason, were not able to step up to the microphone. Many of you have shared these moments with me and I appreciate your support. I have told my friends and family that when I die, no memorial service needs to be given for me; the sentiments have already been eloquently stated in these meetings. Thanks also to everyone who sent me cards, letters and emails. The amazing outpouring of kindness was appreciated more than you can know.
For over 20 years, and for the entirety of each of the three current longstanding board members’ terms in office, I was a part of the Warren School Board. I sat beside you taking the minutes of almost every single meeting of your school board careers. I know Adam Greshin, Mike Ketchel and Rob Rosen very well from these many years of meetings, committee work, conversations and social engagements. I want you three to know that I appreciate your years of serving our school and value the relationships I had with you, your wives and children.
There are a few individuals I feel I must specifically mention and thank.
Carl Lobel, whom I do not know personally, you are truly a spokesperson of great ability, tenacity and determination and have opened my eyes to the Front Porch Forum phenomena.
Andreas Lehner – For 25 years Andreas Lehner and I were the administrative team of Warren School and over time came to realize that our “customers” were the parents and children of Warren School and we did our best to provide the very best customer service and programs possible. This is a position of which I am extremely proud and which I think is exemplified in my opening statement from March about our school community. My thanks to you and Mary for your wordsmithing expertise this summer and your positive attitudes.
Ashley Woods, you are passionate, resourceful, pertinacious and unwavering in your beliefs. I feel so fortunate to have you as a friend.
To the Mothers Group – You know who you are. Thanks for the hours you spent working on my behalf.
Dear brave and wonderful Rachel Goodwin, I will be helping coach the Spelling Team this fall no matter what occurs.
Chessie Stevenson and Susan McKnight, who helped put my wounded psyche back together and allowed my optimism to return, thank you.
It has been a privilege and pleasure to watch firsthand as my daughter Whitney has grown to become a most remarkable teacher. I believe Warren School is fortunate to have her on their staff. She faces a difficult year ahead and I am positive she will rise to the occasion with great resolve, professionalism and bravery.
My husband, Bruce, has been an amazing rock throughout this entire ordeal. When we wrote our personal wedding vows in 1973 we did not promise to love each other through better or worse but you certainly have held me up and strengthened me during this very difficult time.
Finally, I want to thank the families and students of the Warren School community who have made my life so happy and fulfilled for the past 27 years. I loved going to work each and every day and helping you was my primary professional goal.
No matter what my future may hold, I am confident the school will move forward and thrive due to the professionalism, dedication and hard work of the entire Warren School staff. I cherish the memories I have from having been a part of the very special and unique Warren School community.
Laurie Jones lives in Warren.
