A Thanksgiving Message

Before Thanksgiving the
"Big Boss" received a
special card.
Thanks, Tara!

I sent the following message to our faculty and staff this week. I hope each member of the Needham community enjoys a restful and peaceful Thanksgiving holiday!

Dear Faculty and Staff:

Near downtown Worcester there is a small soup kitchen and hospitality house called the Mustard Seed. In 1977, when I was a freshman at Holy Cross College, I first had the honor of volunteering there serving meals. Since then and over these many years my family and I have supported the Mustard Seed and their mission of serving homeless folks, migrants, and those who have simply struggled to make ends meet.

One of the things that always strikes me on those occasions when we are delivering groceries or serving food is the profound sense of gratitude from the patrons.  Their sense of appreciation always catches me off guard because I feel privileged to have the means to serve them and don’t expect the strong expressions of thankfulness and grace they extend. I recall one man who, after a simple meal was served, grabbed my hands and with tears in his eyes whispered, “Thank you and God Bless you.”  In those moments I feel a deep sense of guilt and humility. I can’t really explain it, but it is humbling to serve others knowing that our life’s stories could have been so different.

That same feeling of profound gratitude and humility is what I carry with me as I work with the extraordinary staff, students, and families of the Needham Public Schools.

In the faces of our students and staff, I always see a spark of potential and joy, and I feel that same sense of privilege to be a part of our students’ and a part of your journey. Let me take this opportunity to say to each of you: Thank you for letting me share this mission with you and for making our schools a place of hope and growth.

This Thanksgiving, I am particularly grateful for my family, my health, and I am profoundly humbled to be your colleague. Wishing you and your families a wonderful and peaceful Thanksgiving.

Dan