Arie Durich, Physical Education Teacher |
Dear Hollywood Schoolhouse |
WOW!!! You look so amazing!!! 75 years is not only impressive, but more importantly it’s a good looking number. I know I have only known you for a total of 6 years, but I feel like you have been such a huge part of my life. Teaching PE has been a blessing for me because I get to see two things that are so important to my life be smashed together beautifully, which are students feeling success and having fun by being outside being crazy kids.
The HSH community means everything to me, but I can honestly tell you I felt like an outcast in the beginning. For those who don’t know, I started off working for the school through a company that was hired by the school to run the PE program. I led this program for years and was able to get to know the community from an outsider perspective. I was also to have connections with staff that welcomed me with open arms even though I felt like I didn’t deserve it. Through these first years I learned how close the HSH community is and how supportive everyone is for each other and for the students. It was so amazing to see and I wanted to be a part of it. So, when I had the opportunity to join this amazing community, I grabbed it with everything I had and was lucky enough to become a part of the HSH community. Now it is my fourth year and I feel so blessed to be here and to make an impact on these students’ lives.
As you may know I do my best to always show up for the HSH community, whether that is to run the students around or to show them a new sport or to dress up for them or just to make them laugh and be silly with me. If I have the opportunity to show positivity to the students then I will do it. This is what you have shown me and I want to be able to give you the same back. The three words I would use to describe you are passion, creativity and extraordinary. Clearly you have a passion to help students and have them be creative in their own extraordinary way. More than anything you strive to make sure these students are learning in a positive environment. I just want to say thank you so much for not only allowing me to help you do that job, but for having so amazing staff members, parents and students that make up this amazing community. I will continue to push these students to be their best and have fun in every which way they can, all because of you.
So here’s to your 75th birthday and here’s to another 75 years in the future. I know you will continue to push the envelope on helping students not only academically, but socially and emotionally as well. Between you and me, as PE teacher I would say hopefully you will have an indoor gym for us in the future because that would be so amazing!!! Rainy days would never stop us again!!! But as long as you continue to strive for having an amazing community like you have now, there is no doubt in my mind that you will be able to continue for another 75 years. I hope to be there as long as I can to see you grow and so we can push each other to continue to get better. Happy Birthday Hollywood Schoolhouse!!! Enjoy this insane year and I’ll be sure to be right there next to you.
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Coach Arie