An Invitation for You...

Dear Neighbors,

Cherry Hill recently received a state grant to help students deal with the aftermath of the tragedies of September 11. The grant proposal that the district submitted and was granted by the state is not designed to deal with stress or trauma, or to offer counseling, or to delve deeply into the psychological reactions of staff and students. The grant is designed to involve students, their parents, and members of our township in what we call community building.

Our students too often are isolated from one another by technology and contemporary life styles. We are seeking ways of meeting our district goals of having students respect one another and of acting responsibility. Whether these goals are part of our character education initiative (thank you, Mona Noyes), part of our Life Skills standards, or just part of what we consider to be part of a comprehensive education, we are committed to creating opportunities for students to engage in civil discourse…a fundamental concept upon which this country was founded.

There are many lessons yet to be learned following September 11, but the one lesson many of us believe has been in front of us for a long time is that we are one people, who when united, can accomplish just about anything.

The being united, coming together for common cause, has been our country’s greatest strength in having success in the great human experiment called the United States. How remarkable it is that people of all faiths, nationalities, races, and beliefs commit to the causes stated so well in our Declaration of Independence and in our Constitution.

It is that discussion, about who we are as citizens of this country and of this world, that we would like to have with our students and the community. We would like to hear their ideas about how we move ahead so that education and community become even more meaningful in their daily lives. The grant from the state will enable us to work with staff at the University of Pennsylvania and with our own teachers in creating and sustaining those conversations.

A special thank you must go to Kathy Haughwout for always encouraging others, through this newspaper and through her many other activities, to be engaged with one another for the common good.

It is great to be in a community which cares so deeply about its children and about one another. I hope all of you have a peaceful holiday season.

Sincerely,

Mort Sherman

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