the direct
connection
April 24, 2019
Good Wednesday
morning, Teachers, Staff and Administrators,
Today is
Administrative Professionals’ Day. Throughout my 28 years of service in
Volusia County Schools, I have worked with and met many truly exceptional
clerks. They have been diligent, professional and just all-around great
human beings. What would our schools and district offices be like without
these co-workers? Take some time today and express your gratitude to the clerks
that work in your building. Everybody likes to hear “thank you.”
This week is
dedicated to Extended Day Enrichment Program (EDEP) employees throughout the
state of Florida. Forty elementary schools have such a program where some
very talented people work. Our EDEP employees are special because they are
patient, caring and there for the students. They may be with students for only
a few hours a day, yet our EDEP employees truly make a difference.
Enjoy the rest of
this week,
Tom
Russell
It’s a
lot easier to do good work when you have good words to say and work with good
people.
~Mark Harmon
Mr. James T. Russell
Superintendent of Schools
VOLUSIA
COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
386/734-7190,
extension 20210
Fax:
386/734-2842
E-mail:
jrussell@volusia.k12.fl.us
June 3, 2019
Good
Monday morning, Teachers, Staff and Administrators,
Thank you so much for
the many kind words and thoughts you have sent my way over the past few weeks.
It has been a challenging time, and yet I am grateful and proud of our
accomplishments as a district. As I had the privilege of watching 4,274
seniors graduate over the last few days, I am reminded of just how special our
profession is and of how their achievement is something that each one of you
has had a hand in. Thank you all for the many ways you have helped our
graduates over the course of their years in Volusia County Schools. Their
accomplishments are really accomplishments of which we can all be proud.
Thank
you for all of the hours you will be spending in the next few days and weeks to
prepare for our next set of students and for the year ahead of us. Our
Clerical Institute will take place on June 5th and 6th, and I hope to see many
of you there. We will have the humor of author Neila Connors to open our
event on the morning of June 6th. She has a wonderful sense of humor and
a deep understanding of public schools. One of her most popular books is If You Don’t Feed the
Teachers, They Eat the Students! I sincerely hope you will enjoy the
morning.
Finally, I want to
thank every employee in Volusia County Schools for a wonderful 28 years. I have
learned so much from all of you, and I truly feel that I have worked with the
finest people in education. The weeks and months ahead will bring change
to our district, but I know that you will keep striving for excellence in all
that you do and in the way you serve our students.
In the space of less
than five years, we have worked together to move our district from a C to a B
and overcome tremendous financial challenges. We are only five points
away from an A--and I am very optimistic we will be even closer to that A when
school grades are released by the state next month. While I won’t be here
with you when those grades are released, remember that you have been part of
the team to make these great things happen for our students.
Keep your focus on
the positive. I wish you the very best success in your careers.
With gratitude,
Tom Russell
“Virtually nothing is impossible in this world if you just
put your mind to it and maintain a positive attitude.”
~Lou Holtz
Mr. James T.
Russell
Superintendent of Schools
VOLUSIA COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
386/734-7190, extension 20210
Fax: 386/734-2842
E-mail: jrussell@volusia.k12.fl.us
The Direct Connection (2018-2019)
