Whew!  May and June are arguably the busiest months in the school calendar, and for parents of school-aged children, it often takes on a frenzy that proves difficult to keep under control.  Many find they must be on multiple sports fields at once, asist or attend end-of-year projects and presentations, and usher older children through the busy college-prep rituals.  There never seem to be enough hours in the day.

These days are busy for our teachers too.  They have more to grade, much to prepare, events to attend, and many must manage the same issues that the rest of us parents have in the spring months.  Again, Father Time ticks by without lending them more hours to get it all done!

Yet in the face of these demanding days and nights, 300 or so community members and teachers made the time to join us at the recent 2nd-annual Pasta with Purpose collaborative dinner and grants event on May 30th.  Over 250 spaghetti dinners were served (with the generous support of Willows Restaurant & Market Fresh Produce), over 20 presentations were on display, and much was learned about the fantastic work of our grant recipients.  The highlights of the evening were many; with faculty having the opportunity to share across departments and grade levels, community members getting a glimpse of programs they'd read about, and kids getting hands-on experience with fantastic cutting-edge learning tools.

I am often awed by how much our small town contributes in terms of energy, participation, and generous giving.  Even when we are at our busiest, events are well-attended, volunteers are available and willing, and good-will is abundant.  Good times or bad, poor economy or not, we are a community with much to be proud of, and I am grateful that CEEF is able to play a part in our collaborative goals.

Happy spring!

Christine