December
2005
Season’s
Greetings! I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and
yours a wonderful holiday season. I would also like to thank the
200 plus Serra students and staff who gave of themselves this season
through the “Spirit of Christmas” program. Over 40 families
will receive gifts and items to make their holiday a joyous one.
The holiday spirit is alive and well at Serra!
Our lives tend to get quite hectic throughout the year. We spend
most of the year balancing work, family and other responsibilities.
Sometimes it can be quite overwhelming. The holidays allow us a
little time to sit back, take some time to relax, and reflect on
what is most important – spending time with family and friends.
In Charles Swindoll’s book, Growing Strong in the Seasons of
Life, he talks about what it means to give of oneself in the spirit
of “one long extended gift.” Some of the ideas he shares
include:
• Seek out a forgotten friend
• Express appreciation
• Release a grudge
• Listen...Speak kindly to a stranger
• Smile, laugh a little, laugh a little more
• Kneel down and pat a dog
• Read a poem or two to your friend
• Apologize if you were wrong
• Treat someone to an ice cream cone
• Do the dishes for the family
• Give a soft answer even though you feel strongly
• Point out one thing you appreciate most about someone you
work with or live near
• Offer to baby sit for a weary mother
...and I would like to add
• Tell a teacher how important their work is and that they
are appreciated.
Let’s make the holidays one long extended gift of ourselves
to others. Give unselfishly, without announcement or obligation,
or reservation, or hypocrisy. Wouldn’t it be great if we could
keep this same spirit we have at the holidays all year long?
On behalf of the students and staff at Serra High School, please
accept our sincere wishes for a happy holiday season and a healthy
and prosperous new year.
I look forward to seeing you when school resumes on Tuesday the
3rd of January! Remember, it is a late start Tuesday so classes
begin at 9:05 a.m.
Best wishes,
Donna Somerville
Principal, Serra High School
