Dr. Donald E. Fennoy IISuperintendent School District of Palm Beach County

Dear Palm Beach County Parents,

Spring break is here and no matter how your family might be soaking up our postcard perfect weather, I hope that it involves a good book for your child or teen.

Reading is the single most important habit that students can develop that will contribute to their academic success across all subjects, and reading for leisure helps to develop a lifelong love of reading.

There aren’t many weeks left in the school year and it’s time to start thinking about how your child or teen will spend the summer. For students in middle and high school, job shadowing and interning are important experiences. The ability to interact with adults in a workplace is a soft skill employers tell me is continuously lacking in young employees.

The ability to make eye contact, meet and greet other adults and customers, and multi-task to complete tasks are the most frequent things local businesses say are lacking in young people entering the workforce. These skills don’t necessarily come naturally to teenagers and are learned through experience. Don’t wait until they have to report to work; encourage your teen to spend some time interning or job shadowing this summer to start acquiring these skills now.

For younger students, reading about jobs or skills that interest them is an important part of learning how to set goals. A young child’s dream of becoming a fireman, doctor, chef, or any other career they like right now, can only be realized by working hard in school. Reading about careers now helps elementary students understand the important correlation between their academics and their dreams.

Letter from the Superintendent March 12, 2019

March 12, 2019

The School Board of Palm Beach County:

Frank A. Barbieri, Esq., Board Chair Chuck Shaw, Board Vice Chair Barbara McQuinn Karen Brill Erica Whitfield Debra Robinson, M.D. Marcia Andrews Superintendent Donald E. Fennoy II

The School District of Palm Beach County

A Top-Rated District by the Florida Department of Education Since 2005 An Equal Education Opportunity Provider and Employer

In the Fennoy house, we are trying to get my daughter to sleep in her big girl bed and my son to do his fifth grade homework. I say this only to acknowledge that I know that working all day and then parenting through your child’s academic journey is not always fun, and it’s certainly not always easy. Your child’s teacher needs you to keep your eye on the ball all the way to the last day of school. Check the backpack, check the homework, and let’s tell our kids to turn off the television and read, read, read.

I look forward to seeing everyone back after the break and hearing about the big adventures our students experienced within the pages of a good book.

Sincerely,

Donald E. Fennoy II, Ed.D.Superintendent

March 12, 2019Letter from the Superintendent Dr. Donald E. Fennoy IISuperintendent School District of Palm Beach County