This is a week of Thanksgiving! Many will spend time preparing food and visiting relatives. On Thursday, well Thursday morning at least, many businesses will be closed and there will be a time of peace and calm in the air. During these moments when life slows down a notch, I hope we will inventory the many reasons we should be thankful.

Just over the past several days, I have witnessed so much for which to give thanks. I am thankful for teachers and administrators who stand in the cold and wind to open car doors and welcome school buses filled with children with a smile. I am thankful for teachers and assistants who plan engaging and fun activities for our students each day. I am thankful for business partners, parents and teachers who teach our children lifelong healthy habits and sponsor our GO FAR running clubs. The first Turkey Derby 5K included 150 of our students, many experiencing a 5K for the first time. I am thankful for the Davie Community Foundation that invested over $335,000 this year in grants and scholarships for our students and teachers. I am thankful for our students who are learning to give back to their community through volunteering and fundraising for needs they have identified. I am thankful for staff, coaches, and community volunteers who spend countless hours working with young people through extracurricular activities, events, and athletics. I am thankful for children who say and do some of the funniest things and make us smile. I am thankful for our churches, which come together through community services and put aside differences in worship style to celebrate in thanksgiving, united as one. 

I am thankful for our DCS family. I have the pleasure of spending each day with a group of people who genuinely care about children and dedicate their lives and careers investing in the future of our children. Our community has a brighter future because of you.

Abraham Lincoln proclaimed "a day of Thanksgiving and Praise" in 1863. Since Lincoln's proclamation, we have celebrated this national holiday on the fourth Thursday in November every year. As we celebrate Thanksgiving this year, I hope we will take time to reflect on our many blessings. I challenge you not to stop on Thursday; let us be sure that every day we give thanks. A thankful heart is a happy heart!

May your Thanksgiving holiday be filled with much deserved rest and relaxation. There are great days ahead....

Darrin