A Letter I Just Wrote...

April 18, 2017 Lisa Souza, Principal Waiakea Intermediate School 200 W. Puainako St. Hilo, HI 96720 Dear Principal Souza, I am writing this letter to accompany my request for Leave Without Pay (leave code 90) under the category of “Improving Ability and Increasing Fitness.” The Syrian refugee crisis has been deeply troubling to me, and for some time I have had it on my heart to turn this compassion into direct action to lessen some of the suffering. As I’ve searched for ways with which I might use my skills towards this end, several opportunities have arisen. I am currently in communications with a volunteer-run Community Center at a refugee camp in Nea Kavale, Greece, which has offered me a short-term commitment to begin this fall. I am asking for your support to go serve as an educator and counselor, to run groups for displaced women and to work with children at “We Are Here Community Center” in Nea Kavale. I believe it will be a significant opportunity for profound professional development, in addition to the myriad personal gains anticipated. As principal, I recognize that you must take into consideration the greater needs of the entire school in making personnel decisions. If it makes better sense for you to open the SBBH position and look for a replacement rather than grant an extended leave of absence, I completely understand. If that is the case, I may choose to commit to a longer-term humanitarian experience, and reapply for an SBBH position upon return. If this leave is considered amenable, I will plan to return to Hawaii in December, and resume work at Waiakea Intermediate effective January 1, 2018. I am also happy to help find support for my students in the interim. I am currently recruiting a former colleague for the Waiakeawaena SBBH position. If hired, perhaps she could offer substitute SBBH services at Waiakea Intermediate as I have done at Waikeawaena. Thank you for taking the time to consider my proposal. I look forward to discussing this with you further, and to hearing your thoughts. Kind Regards, Abigail Rotholz Behavioral Health Specialist CC: SBBH District Head Wade DeSa, SBBH Clinical Supervisor Dr. Janice Helfand