As everything changes around us, the only constant is our mindset. For me (an eternal optimist), this means gracefully letting go of 2018 and looking ahead to all of the possibilities of 2019.

We are aware of an issue with the Synergy StudentVue app that is causing some mobile users to receive an emergency alert when they log in to StudentVue. At this point, it appears to only affect Android devices, which had an update yesterday, December 20, 2018.

More than 20 Clarkston Community Schools students recently competed in the Business Professionals of America Regional Leadership Competition, and eleven students have qualified for the state competition while placing in 22 separate events!

Congratulations to CHS Drama Club Troupe 803 for their outstanding performance at the Michigan Thespian Festival December 14-15 in Grand Rapids, Mich.

On Monday, December 10, the Clarkston Community Schools Board of Education and administration recognized longtime trustee Sue Boatman upon her retirement. Mrs. Boatman has served on the Board for 10 years, and her current term ends on December 31, 2018.

This time of year, it's easy to be distracted with the things that demand our attention. Seven hours on the road yesterday reminded me that the things that bring us the most joy are the relationships in our lives and those who we are fortunate to know and celebrate.

Glenn Gualtieri, principal of Bailey Lake Elementary School in Clarkston, was recently named Michigan Elementary & Middle School Principals Association (MEMSPA) 2018 Outstanding Practicing Principal Award at the association's winter conference in Traverse City, Mich.

Dozens of students on Clarkston High School Team RUSH have been spending hours after school to build a float for Santa and Mrs. Claus for the Holiday Lights Parade, Saturday, Dec. 8, at 6 p.m.