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A Message from our PTA President, Kamela Aboussie
Dear Bradfield Families,
Happy 2026! I hope you’re all feeling refreshed after the long break! (Or parents, maybe you’re ready for your own break!? I always think of the holiday song lyrics, “...and mom and dad can hardly wait for school to start again!”) Either way, a new year always feels great to me, I love a fresh start and some time to reflect on what’s behind and what can be ahead. We have a LOT ahead at Bradfield this year!
A large part of celebrating Bradfield’s Centennial is reflecting on what our school has meant to so many and on the great impact it has had on our community.
As you all know, part of honoring Bradfield during its 100th year was our gift of The BradFIELD. Within the field project was a refresh and enhancement of Sam’s Corner (the tribute to Bradfield’s longtime head custodian, Sam Flores (“Big Sam”), on the site where he and his wife, Hilda, lived for decades and raised their beloved family.)
Sam’s three sons were in town for the holidays, and they brought Hilda up to Bradfield to visit the new Sam’s Corner. Big Sam’s oldest son, Sam, sent me these beautiful family photos and a wonderful message. This is one of many messages the Flores family has sent over the last year sharing how Bradfield blessed the Flores family and the opportunities Sam’s employment here afforded their family. I mostly think in terms of how grateful our community is for Sam’s decades of dedication, while (in true humble fashion) the Flores family sees Bradfield in terms of the opportunities the school and our community gave their family. Below is Sam’s text:
“This afternoon we had the opportunity to visit the beautiful bench placed in honor of “Big Sam.” It was a meaningful moment for us to pause, reflect on our time growing up here, and give thanks to God for how He prepared the way and provided the opportunity for our family to be part of this wonderful community for over 20 years. We are deeply grateful for our mom and dad and their sacrifices, hard work, service and unwavering love for our family and for all those whose lives they touched along the way. As a family we continue to reap the fruit of our dad’s labor.”
What a reminder that our time at Bradfield, the many hours of hard work as volunteers and staff members, and the relationships we build have a ripple effect on the larger Bradfield community. Yes, we send our children to a wonderful, nurturing school that gives them a fantastic elementary education. Though the impact of Bradfield extends far beyond education, and for the Flores family it changed the trajectory of their lives and has blessed their family for generations to come. This is a testament to the depth of the Bradfield legacy and serves as inspiration for ways we can bless our community in the next century.
The photos below are from Sam, and in these photos are Big Sam’s three sons, Sam, Josh and Johnny, and his dear wife Hilda.
Sending prayers to our school and to each of our families for a blessed year ahead.
Love,
Kam
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