Jan 2007 Editor's Letter
By: Jill Pinheiro

"There are years that ask questions and years that answer."
--Zora Neale Hurston, "Their Eyes Were Watching God"

As we begin the new calendar year, it is a natural time of reflection. What kind of year has this been for your school?

Has it been one that asked more questions that will be answered in the future, or was it a year that answered some questions and prayers of the previous year?

As we go forward into 2007, I hope that both you find answers to the questions your school has been searching for.and that you seek new questions to be answered in the future for your school. I hope that the vision and mission statements both for the school itself and for your students, in particular, are clearly articulated and ultimately realized.

On a different note, I know it's hard, in the middle of winter, having just come back to school from Christmas break, to think about May and school graduation. But, it's already time to start thinking about graduation, if you haven't already. What have you done to prepare your seniors, over the years, for this momentous event?

In this issue, Dawn Moen of National Recognition Products discusses the elements of bringing tradition back to schools through a variety of methods and products.

"The future of this nation will be lived and led by the children of today. Positive youth development comes about through shared commitment, goals, a vision and action," she says. "One of the most important ways to help children succeed in life is to help them not only graduate from high school but also to leave them with a positive experience filled with traditions that both enrich their lives and build their character."

We've also packed this issue with lots of other great information, including our annual section on curriculum, in which you'll find important information and guidelines as you evaluate and select various programs for your school.

I'm always interested in hearing from you. You can reach me at jill@cspmag.com.

God Bless,

Jill Pinheiro
Managing Editor