Thank you from Brian Collicott

Dear Tom and CFMA (please post this where you feel necessary),

I don't have a lot of energy to write to all of you, but I wanted to take this evening to tell all of the parents, students, faculty members, community members, friends, and strangers how proud I am to be associated with the Chippewa Falls School District, Music Department, and Community.

You all have been so wonderful and supportive to everyone that has needed support. You have been a solid source for unbiased and accurate information...establishing ways for people directly involved to keep us all updated with truth and not speculation. You have given unselfishly your time and resources to help those who need help.

For these few reasons and countless others, all I can say is thank you. I cannot wait to see all of you again and I am coming home soon. I am scheduled to return home on Monday morning via special transportation. My wife and I will be working on times that parents, friends, staff and students can come visit if they wish...we will be sure to let you know when I am strong enough for visitors.

I have been in contact with school officials and music department faculty as to what our goals should be for the next few weeks. It was stated in a different posting that somehow G's views and my views are different in regards to the show and how long the season should continue. I ask kindly that people not speculate as to Mr G's or my own views or opinions.

G and I have a unique love of marching band that we shared everyday. With help from school administration, I decided that Tuesday night would be the last performance of the Marching Cardinals for this year. I can say with some degree of accuracy that G would have agreed.

People tell me I am physically healing well and that's good news. I can tell you all that I am not healing well emotionally. I feel as though I have been isolated since Sunday morning in my hospital room, away from everyone and everything that matters to me. The support has been unbelievable from all of you...the cards, emails, flowers, visits...etc., but I have yet to be able to grieve for the loss of my friends. Not having been able to attend services has been equally difficult.

I do know a few things for sure. I know that I am coming home on Monday. I know that I cannot wait to see and talk to all of you. I know I miss all of the students and all of my collegues in the school district. I miss teaching, I miss seeing G, Brandon, and the rest of the music faculty every day. I miss seeing the success of a great football team. I am thankful to all those who have volunteered so unselfishly to help everyone through this difficult time. And finally, I know that we will be strong again.

What next? My advice: Just wait and see what all of us can do together. It will be an amazing homage to an outstanding director and his family, a young educator, and a faithful and friendly bus driver.

The future is in our hands to do with as we please.

You have my guarantee that I and the entire music department, students, and staff will stop at nothing short of excellence as we continue the strong traditions of music performance and education at Chippewa Falls High School.

Sincerely,
Brian Collicott

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