Storm-a-geddon

 

The first major storm has come and gone and although it wasn’t “storm-a-geddon” as some may have forecast, it did drop well needed rain in our area. Yes there was some flooding and power outages, but we were none the worse for wear. All this, of course, came just in time for a weekend of student preparation for finals next week. Thoughts of finals and the weather reminds me of the saying, “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” For both meanings, I hope the weather will keep our students inside with their books a bit longer (we can hope!) That being said, have a grand weekend as we get to the business of the final week before break (cue Styx – Too Much Time On My Hands) and Go Pups!

Life Happens

 

Now that Thanksgiving has past, we have the final push to the end of the semester and it will be here before we know it. In all the December craziness that goes on, let us remember the individuality of our students. Every student enters your classroom daily with a story. Life happens for all of us, including our students. Sometimes, what the students will remember most about school, are the times their teacher gave them compassion and consideration. When I think about the teachers I had that were my favorite, I think about the connection they made with me. I worked for them because I didn’t want to disappoint them. Weird thing is, I still feel that way (Yes, Mr. Rose, I’ll watch my grammar and Mr. Ambrosini, life really is about overcoming inertia). That being said, have a splendid weekend (cue The Cars – Let The Good Times Roll) and Go Get’em Pups!

Time is Relative

 

November 21st already! This year sure seems to be flying by now that we are in the last full week before Thanksgiving. How did Thanksgiving get here so fast? I guess Einstein was right when he said that time is relative. Whew! Things are moving so fast, we can sometimes trip up. However, as the message our guest speaker Kevin Laue gave us, we need to be resilient. He told our students to never quit, focus on your dreams, execute, and count your blessings. A very simple message from a 6’11” one armed basketball player that dunked over me like I was standing still (hold on…maybe I was). His message is good for us all. Tis the season to count our blessings instead of sheep and continue to reach for our goals (cue Right Now – Van Halen). Have a superb weekend and Go Get’em Pups!

Pay It Forward

 November seems to be the month of thanking, so I’m going to write about random acts of kindness.  This morning I was in line at Starbucks behind a gentleman in the Armed services.  This is not an uncommon situation, since we have service folks around here and I frequent the coffee shop.  Today however, was different.  This past Tuesday was Veteran’s Day and many of us took the time to thank a Veteran for their service.  The day meant more to me since I am a very proud father of a son in the Air Force.  To add to the story, yesterday, I ran into a colleague at the gas station minimart.  I was in line behind him to buy a soda.  When my colleague stepped away from the counter, I placed my soda down and the attendant said that my colleague took care of my purchase.  That brings me back to the coffee line.  I introduced myself to the serviceman, asked if I could buy his coffee.  I’ve done this before, but today was different.  I was simply following the thread started by someone else.  Buying a cup of coffee for a serviceman seemed like a great way to pay it forward.  Random acts of kindness  are impactful for everyone.  Take a moment to make someone’s day. (cue Good Times Roll – The Cars) Have a splendid weekend and as always, Go Pups!

Unaware, Unwilling, or Unable

 

A few weeks ago I wrote about the “3 Un’s”. Lee Crockett’s concept that he presented at the Linked Learning Conference. His presentation was so powerful, I continue to draw on it. He illustrated, quite simply, that the change needed in education today was limited by people for three very real reasons: Unaware, Unwilling, or Unable. With that concept firmly planted in my head (or cabeza as I prefer), I thought about the late motivational speaker Zig Ziglar and his redesign of the phrase “I can”. His point was that if we really want to do something we have to move beyond “I can” and say “When can I”. So my question today is, are we asking the same of our students? Can we get our students to ask themselves, “When can I move beyond being unaware, unwilling, or unable?” It’s always question of motivation. Have a majestic weekend and Let’s Go Pups!

Perspective

Last week I had a few things to say about perception and reality in our positions as educators. This week I would like to cover the issue of perspective. It makes a perfect follow-up to the subject of last week because we are drawing attention to our point of view, and whether or not our perfect outcome is achieved. Take into consideration, our secure campus and subsequent controlled release on Wednesday. One viewpoint is that when information is presented we need to error on the side of safety for all staff and students, yet in direct contrast of that view, we may have some that said it was a waste of time because nothing happened. What is our measurement? I am very satisfied to know that all our students and staff went home safe, albeit, not all happy. On a deeper level of perspective, it begs the philosophical question of when does not enough become enough, or when is enough too much? No doubt, we have a moving target here (cue Howard Jones - No One Is To Blame). Have a safe Halloween and a relaxing weekend. Go Pups!

The Right Thing

 

I was meeting with a parent the other day and caught myself using the phrase “the right thing” and realized my mistake.  I understood, directly at that moment, the lens with which I was using to determine the ‘right thing’ in this student situation was different for the parent.  Yes, there are two sides to every story, two viewpoints from which to have an opinion, and two lenses to see through, providing no real clear definition of ‘right’.  It is both a matter of perception and reality.  Of course, when dealing with matters of law, ‘right’ is very clear.  Break the law and you have the ‘right’ to remain silent.  It’s not so easy when ruling over a request to give assignment redo’s, grade a re-take test to full credit, offer 2 or 3 or 4 chances for behavior infractions.  When is the ‘right’ time for “tough love”?  ‘Right’…’Tough’…’Love’.  Perception or Reality?  You decide.  Have a stupendous Friday.  Go Pups, get #9!      

It's Okay to Win

 

I was having a conversation with a coach about student success.  How difficult it is to teach our students that it’s okay to be successful.  That it’s cool to be smart.  That it’s acceptable to be happy with winning.  Many times, students that have not had a whole bunch of success, don’t know how to act.  The emotion is new and territory uncharted.  For some, the struggles of daily life make them forget to keep looking up and not down.  Success is a measurement of perseverance in difficult times and it should be admired.  We need to teach our students that when life presents us with adversity, the answer is to not wallow in misery, but to answer with action.  Choose to celebrate the positive and work hard to overcome the negatives.  Champions of business, finance, sports, or other endeavors all have a fanatical drive to reach their goal (cue Let’s Go Crazy – Prince). The challenge is not rooted in the objective, but the focus.  Have a super Friday and a fabulous weekend.  Go Pups!

 

Music and Movies

 We all love music and movies. As we close another Homecoming week of dress-up, music, and fun, I guess it’s time I explain why I have musical references in my updates.  When I was young, I lived in the country with only 3 TV stations, but we had radio and a great set of 8-tracks (Don’t hate!).  Around the house and on long trips we used to play games such as “Name that Tune” as the new song switched on the radio (first to yell the title won) or “If I was in a movie, what would the soundtrack be?”  The brainstorm of songs was hilarious to say the least, with of course, my Mom always winning with her pick of Helen Reddy – I am Woman (so sorry…had to say it).  Now however, the games are gone but the great memories and the soundtracks remain.  So the song references are reminders that however stressed or difficult times may be, there is always time to smile and possibly create a memory for a student.  What happens in your classroom and the relationships you build are yours.  So ask yourself, what soundtrack is playing?  Have a remarkable Friday and a most excellent weekend.  Go Pups!

Everyone has a place

 

It’s time to talk about a few things that have returned:  October has arrived, Christmas is at Target, and the Dog Bowl trophy is in our Lobby (You have to love cross town rivals).  Speaking about the Dog Bowl, what an event to showcase the Hanford community (cue Small Town, John Mellencamp).  We know from the events of this past Monday that this is a small community where news travels very fast.  We cannot control what happens outside of school or on social media, we but can concern ourselves with providing the best opportunies for our students while here. If we believe that everyone has a place here at Hanford High, it becomes our inherent challenge to not only tell them, but to show them daily. Have an exceptional Friday.  Go Pups!

First Day of Fall

 

The first day of Fall was this past Monday and it is about time.  Soon we will see waning high temperatures and waxing wet weather (cue Creedence Clearwater Revival, Have You Ever Seen The Rain).  Whether the rain is literal or metaphorical, just remember that in both cases, it takes both rain and sun to make a rainbow.  That is a lesson we need to teach our students.  The measure of a person’s character is not how they perform during the easy times, it’s how they persevere in difficult ones.  Don’t quit, wait out the rain, and cherish the rainbow.  Have an outstanding Friday.  Go Pups!

Kindness

 

One more week is winding down, and things seem to be moving at light speed.  Here we are at game 4 of the football season already.  Our focus this year has been  making connections and celebrating achievement.  The assembly on Thursday gave students the clear message…”people will never know how far a little kindness can go.”  The best thing about the message was that kindness is not associated with weakness but strength.  The strength to look for the best in others, dream big, choose positive influences, speak with kindness, and start a chain reaction with your actions.  Rachel’s Challenge gave us 5 points, we are starting a ‘FOR’ Club, we have our own 3-2-1 Challenge…with all those numbers, I’m thinking about 8675309 (cue Tommy Tutone, Jenny…for no apparent reason).  Now that I have that tune in your head, sing, hum, or whistle a bit.  Have a marvelous Friday and a restful weekend.  Go Pups!

Patriot Day

 

We have made it to the end of another week and it’s astounding how quickly we arrived at the middle of September.  With the loss of one of our students on Wednesday, Patriot Day passed with little fanfare.  Both events should force us to reflect.  On Wednesday, just as it was the morning of September 11^th in 2001, we started a normal day.  The events that transpired showed us how quickly a normal day can turn horribly bad.  How important the people around us suddenly became and no matter how large our differences may have been, they were quickly reduced to the trivial.  Having said that, take a moment to reach out to a student today and make their day.  You have the power to wield and the discretion to do so.  It may be a day they will never forget (cue Irene Cara, What A Feeling).  Have an outstanding Friday and an even better weekend.  Go Pups!

End of Summer

 

Labor Day has past marking the traditional end of summer, the return of homework, school activities, and the pennant races.  Long weekends will be reserved for the Holiday season that will arrive faster than we know.  (cue Don Henley – Boys of Summer) In the meantime, we have to roll up our sleeves and get to work.  The students are in their chairs and their expectation is high.  Let us all show our students that we will exceed their expectations.  Aim to be the ones to make the difference today, tomorrow, and everyday beyond.  Have a great weekend.  Go Pups!

Turning on Light Bulbs

 

As we close down August, we find the dawn of September with activities filling our weeks .  Sticking to our schedules, we will all race to Winter break.  I ask that you pause every now and then to take a moment to count those things that matter most to you.  It’s those moments that will make the most difficult times a bit easier to take.  Just remember, you are the custodian bestowed the task of turning on the light bulbs in the minds of your students.   With that, keep our 3-2-1 Challenge in your sights…because it matters.  Have a great 3-day weekend.  You’ve earned it.  (cue Loverboy – Working for the Weekend). 

 

Inaugural Post - Pulling Together

 

Pulling together, we had an excellent start to school.  We have now sailed through 5 days (cue Styx – Come Sail Away) and we are settled for the task of education students.  Just remember, parents send us all they have.  They don’t keep the good ones home and send us the ‘others’.  They send us their best.  They deserve our best.  Have we done enough?  What are we doing today to improve student achievement?  Just questions to ponder…enjoy your weekend.