March 19, 2007

Dear Parents/Guardians:

On Wednesday, March 21, Morley School is declaring the day as THE MIKE NIEMEYER COURAGE AND CHARACTER DAY.

This past Friday, March 16, I received a call from Mr. Mike Niemeyer. As you might know, Mike is the father of Lauren, third grade student in Mrs. Livers room, and Ryan, Lux student and former Morley Meadowlark.

Mike had a request, and asked that I thank all of the teachers, parents, and students who had let him into their hearts and had given so much to his children, family, and himself. He asked that each individual receive a thank you for caring for his children, and for continuing to care for them and for his family during this time of dealing with a terminal illness. He wanted everyone to know how deeply grateful he feels.

Mike and his wife, Nancy, returned from the Mayo Clinic, March 9, day of the Waffleman Supper. The medical reports from the Mayo Clinic confirmed that Mike's illness is very aggressive, and he has only a short time to celebrate life. Hospice services have been initiated for Mr. Niemeyer and his family.

Kevin and I visited with Mr. Niemeyer and his family Friday evening. Through the conversation, it became apparent that, not only should we thank all at Morley for Mike, but give all an idea of what Mike has done, year after year, for Morley. Mr. Niemeyer has been, and still is, full of courage and high character. Even after Mike found out that he had been diagnosed with cancer a year ago, he had red bracelets made for children and adults alike, with 'Mike Strong' on these silicon bracelets, meaning that he was going to hold strong during the course of this illness.

We asked Mike if we could declare a day at school as "The Mike Niemeyer Courage and Character Day." He approved, so on Wednesday of this week, will you recognize the themes of 'courage and character', such as our Character Counts program suggests through our Pillars of Character – Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship. We all know what the six pillars are, but maybe we could add 'Courage' as another pillar, along with offering examples of behavior and individuals, who act courageously, especially, when helping others.

Helping others is a great example of courageous behavior, and that is what Mr. Niemeyer is still about. We can think of several individuals who are volunteers and helpers, who demonstrate great courage, and great character, while performing their meaningful acts of courage and kind deeds for the benefit of all.

If children and adults know Mr. Mike Niemeyer, they might know him as a volunteer parent, even at the most recent Chili Supper, helping with snow removal last year, cleaning the garden areas this past spring, continuing to be a soccer coach of third grade girls, helping on field days - including last year, or might remember stories of when he cut Mr. Naumann's hair a few years ago at an assembly, when Mr. Naumann was challenging his fourth grade students, at that time, to reach some academic and character goals.

So, Wednesday of this week, March 21, is being declared as THE MIKE NIEMEYER COURAGE AND CHARACTER DAY AT MORLEY. Talk about courage and character, and the significant and long lasting impact that those who demonstrate courage and character, can have on others.
I believe it would be appropriate for a few cards or thoughts to be written to Mr. Mike Niemeyer, or with Mike in mind. If the cards or notes were brought to the office on Wednesday, I could deliver them Wednesday afternoon, should Mr. Niemeyer feel well enough to receive them.

Thank you for your part in recognizing Wednesday, at Morley, as The Mike Niemeyer Courage and Character Day.

Sincerely,Coni J. Schwartz