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Dear Longfellow Families,
I have made a very difficult decision to retire on June 30th this year. It is a difficult decision because I have truly felt so honored and privileged to work with such an amazing group of families. Our parent partnership has been the key to having a school of excellence for our students. You have heard me say many times that I wake up every morning at 4:30 and I can’t wait to be at school. When I first took this job, they asked if I would stay 3 years and I said yes. I thought initially it would be great to be at a middle school and then I would go back to high school. Once I experienced Longfellow and the fabulous people-staff, students, and parents- I couldn’t think of going anywhere else. We have enjoyed a reputation as one of the finest middle schools in the world. We all have the same goal: all students no matter what their circumstances, can and will learn. We establish tremendously caring relationships with our students; we are in their corner. We truly live our motto of “Inspiring Excellence” in all we do which is seen in every classroom, every space in our building, and in our virtual classrooms! We are all partners in our dedication to providing our children the best possible educational environment. Longfellow is described in such a positive light, but the feeling of being at Longfellow is apparent the moment you become part of it. I continue to be amazed by students’ acts of goodness and kindness that inspire all of us in our Longfellow community. We love your children!
Longfellow is thriving because so many people care so deeply in our mission of “inspiring excellence by supporting the growth and well-being of every member of our Longfellow community.” Even through this difficult time with Distance Learning you have reached out to me with great suggestions and examples of positive experiences your students were having with our teachers virtually.
The key to our future is to keep the core of what makes our school unique while moving forward in preparing our students for the future in which they will live and serve.
Retiring for me is truly a bittersweet decision. After twelve fantastic years in a position I have loved more than any other, I am sad to leave because I love experiencing the excitement at Longfellow. My husband and I have had many, many conversations about this decision, and in my heart, I know it’s the right time for my family. All of you have been so caring, loving, and supportive during our recent tragedy of the death of our son, Jonathan. I am so grateful to have our Longfellow family during the most heartbreaking time in my life. As many of you know our daughter and granddaughter live North Carolina, so Ed and I will be moving to South Carolina to be closer to them.
To each of you, please accept my personal thanks for your sharing, openness, trustworthiness, and love. It is with heartfelt gratitude to each of you, that we celebrate our mutual successes.
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead,” Nelson Mandela
With warmest regards,
Carole Kihm
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