By Superintendent Mark McQueen
As we approach the Christmas season, I can’t help but reflect on the incredible gifts we’re all hoping to find under the tree this year. While many of us might be excited about beautifully wrapped boxes and the joy they bring, the most meaningful gifts aren’t always the ones tied up with bows. This year, I’m hopeful for the gifts of hope, peace, kindness, and compassion — the gifts that make our community the strong and supportive place it is.
To me, each of you is a true gift to our community, and I am especially grateful for the support you continually show our students and schools, particularly here on the beach. Your enthusiastic attendance at school events, your generous donations to school drives, and the way you rally around our students, all these actions are not just gestures, but they are the pillars of our success. Your unwavering commitment to their success is evident and deeply appreciated. This holiday season, I want to personally thank you for the difference you make in the lives of our students and for the ways you give back to the beach community.
At Bay District Schools, we’re teaching our students the value of giving back—something they see modeled so beautifully by you, their neighbors. Throughout the holiday season, we have many opportunities for our students to learn the importance of helping others, from food drives to clothing donations to holiday cards for those in need. These efforts teach our students about generosity and help build a sense of unity and compassion that we, as a community, can be proud of. This unity and compassion are what make our community a strong and supportive place.
As we celebrate the season of giving, I want to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year. May your homes be filled with the gifts of hope, love, and joy, and may we all continue to work together to make Bay District Schools—and especially our beach schools—a shining example of what right looks like.
Together, we’re putting the ‘A’ back in Bay, and your support makes all the difference. Thank you for being such a tremendous gift to our schools, students, and community.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
