<div dir="ltr"><span id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-219ccb79-7fff-9fac-3403-914643c56121"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Dear Families,</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">My last letter of the year is usually filled with goodbyes and well-wishes.  But with so many unknowns ahead, I am writing to share what we </span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:italic;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">do</span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> know and promise to be in touch as we work out the rest.  </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">It is time to say “goodbye” to two cherished members of our teaching community, Dara and Teddy who are retiring after 28 and 27 years, respectively.  I cannot say enough about their leadership during my time as principal: they have each been a compass for our school, always reminding us of our values about children, teaching, and learning.  We wish them luck on their future adventures, and our entire community will properly celebrate and honor them when we can come safely together again (think a big picnic in the park!).   </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">I am happy to share that long-time K/1 teacher, Dianne will take over teaching Dara's K/1 class next year.  Dianne has taught K/1 with Shaquawn for the last 6 six years right down the hall from Dara.   Before that, Dianne taught 1st/2nd grade and worked as an out-of-classroom teacher supporting students with disabilities. While Dianne may not know many of her new students and families yet, she is an experienced and trusted teacher in our school.  Shaquawn will continue with her students and families, and once we have the budget for next year, we will be able to share who will be co-teaching with her.  I hope that these new placements give students and families much-needed stability and comfort during this transition.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">While much is unknown about our future, I am very hopeful about the developments happening around our country in response to ongoing protests over police brutality and racial injustice.  At TNS, this means recommitting ourselves to anti-racist, anti-bias work, and acting in ways that lead to the kind of community and world we hope to build. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">This has been an extraordinary year.  I cannot imagine going through it with any other group of people.  With each new challenge,</span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-style:italic;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:italic;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">everyone</span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">... our teachers, paraprofessionals, office staff, related service providers, PTA, custodial, and food service staff came together to support our community.  I am eternally grateful for their devotion to our children, families, each other, and our school. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">I hope that you and your children are able to enjoy the beginning of summer.  We will be in touch soon.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">With much love,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Dyanthe</span></p></span><br class="gmail-Apple-interchange-newline"><div><br></div>-- <br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><font face="arial, sans-serif"><br></font><div><font face="arial, sans-serif"><a href="http://tnsny.org" target="_blank">tnsny.org</a><br></font></div><div><a href="mailto:DSpielberg@schools.nyc.gov" target="_blank"><font face="arial, sans-serif">DSpielberg@schools.nyc.gov</font></a></div>Preferred pronouns: <i>she, her, hers</i><div><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>