Break has Arrived

The Thanksgiving break has arrived and not a moment too soon.  Many of us welcome the time with our families and will be suiting up for the Black Friday challenges that are before us. We will return on Cyber Monday with just enough energy in our tank to get to the end of the semester.  In the meantime, enjoy the time off with your families.  Take some time for you.  Reflect on the days past and on the future. I always revisit my annual personal goals at Thanksgiving to evaluate if I have attained them.  If not, I still have time until December 31st and the New Year.  Enjoy yourself and have an unbelievable weekend…Go Pups! (cue: Homeward Bound – Simon and Garfunkel)

Here Comes the Sun

We’ve reached the middle of November and the holiday season is certainly upon us.  It is time for us to re-evaluate our interactions with our students. The personal connection we make can reap big dividends and overcome many of the challenges our students face.  They will work hard for you when you give them the reason to do so.  They simple don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. For now, go and enjoy the brilliant three day weekend.  It is going to be a beautiful one. Go Pups! (Cue: The Beatles – Here Comes The Sun)  

Friday the 13th

Friday the 13th has arrived again and here come the stories of horror movies and historic legends. The day has a ton of history. Most notably, in 1307 King Philip of France in an effort to capture wealth and power from the Catholic Church, issued an order to arrest all Knights Templar for heresy.  That led to the torture and killing of 625 Knights Templar of the Masonic Order.  All this was the result of a feud created because, in Pope Boniface eyes, the Church was superior to the ruling class and should not be paying taxes to the King.  Since the Templars were an extension of the Church, they became enemies of the Monarch.  Sure gives another meaning to the term ‘death and taxes’!  History aside, there is always two sides to luck.  Make Friday the 13th a happy one and enjoy the 14th and 15th.  Go Pups! (Cue: Superstitious – Stevie Wonder)  

Easy Button

One more week is done and we now have one more sad tragedy. The events that happened in Las Vegas have effected many people and at the very minimum, reminded us all how precious life can be. Our hearts go out to everyone involved and especially to those people that lost loved ones. Wouldn’t it be nice if we had an ‘easy button’ to push that would just calm everyone down so we don’t continue to have these horrible man-made events. It truly makes me wonder what is going on? I wish I had the answer. That being said, I do know that lending and ear, a shoulder, or your time can make a world of difference. Be the ones to change this world. Have a tremendous weekend. Go Pups! (Cue: Old Coca-Cola Commercial – Hillside Singers – I’d Like To Teach the World to Sing)

Yom Kippur

We have made it to the end of September and Yom Kippur.  If you are like me, regardless of your religious affiliation or beliefs, religious traditions intrigue me.  For those that do not know, Yom Kippur is a Jewish day of communal and personal atonement that begins at sunset today and continues until sundown tomorrow.  The only reason I talk about it is because for people of the Jewish faith, it is a deeply religious time to be reflective through prayer.  For the none Jewish, it can remind us that personal reflection is vitally important to our personal growth.  Being reflective, not just on September 29th, but everyday can enhance every component of our lives.  Enjoy your weekend and the gorgeous weather. (Cue: Paul Simon - Kodachrome) 

Game Time

The Dog Bowl is here and we all hope our team wins the coveted ‘Bowl’ again.  Beyond that, we hope the evening comes to pass without incident for our students, staff, and game attendees.  Though attending the games is certainly fun, there is something to be said about the virtues of participation.  Game participation comes in many forms.  Whether the student/athlete on the field, the cheerleader, the parent, or the fan, there is still something to learn.  These are still students on a grand stage every Friday night, and we have the ability to react positively whatever the outcome.  Win or lose, most importantly, our goal is to have a safe event. That being said, gosh, I want to win!!!!  Have a great weekend. (Cue: Baha Men – Who Let The Dogs Out) 

At Risk

As we welcome the nice weather, we are also met with the end of the grading period.  Take a moment to think about the students we identified as 'at risk' in our first day meeting and review where they are after 6 weeks.  If they are not meeting expectations, I encourage you to intervene.  If we let the students, they will wait until the last week of the semester to come forward for help.  For some reason, their ability to forecast the future by projecting their path is impaired.  It's no different than a child that chases a ball into the street into oncoming cars, oblivious of the danger that awaits. Just as that child, we will intervene.  Stop and redirect the student, because the failure to get an education is just as dangerous. Have a great weekend. (Cue: Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone) 

Labor Day has Past

Labor Day has past marking the traditional end of summer, and as etiquette tells us, the end of wearing white (not certain that even applies anymore). We do know that by Labor Day school is rolling along at full speed with activities and plenty of homework for both student and teacher. Soon the weather will change and we will look forward again to the warm weather. For now let us just hope of a cooling trend. This weekend, get some rest and do something for yourself. You deserve a treat. Have a great weekend. Go Pups! (cue: 2 Legit 2 Quit – MC Hammer)

Labor Day Weekend

The end of August past without fanfare and we are already at Labor Day weekend. Just as Memorial Day is the ceremonial beginning of Summer, Labor Day is thought to distinguish the end.  Though that is the case, the heat remains.  Enjoy the restful weekend indoors or floating in a lake or backyard pool.  Treat yourself some of those umbrellas for your iced tea as you pass the time on the horribly hot days.  Most importantly, get the rest you have earned.  Shaping the lives of students is hard work but it is exhilarating when you find out from a student that you made the difference. Have a great weekend…Go Pups! (cue: Summer Nights – John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John)

Off to a Great Start

We are off to a great start!  It is important for us all to remember the ‘why’ of our profession.  We believe all students can learn at high levels and we believe it is because of what we do.  Parents send us their best and they expect our best in return.  Take some time to build the relationships with your students.  The return on the investment will be amazing!  I wish you all a great year…Go Pups! (cue: Pink Floyd – Another Brick in the Wall)

Spring Equinox

The Spring Equinox arrived March 20th and the days have started to stretch out. Not only does the springtime bring longer days, but for us at school, the spring brings the nice weather and very busy days. The Spring also brings that sickness we all know called Senioritis.  Unfortunately, it is a condition that effects not only our 12th graders, but is contracted by all.  The best way cure for the condition is to keep your eyes on the target.  Spring is the home stretch and June will be here before we know it.  Stay the course, keep the students engaged, and focus.  Then when the weekend arrives, take the time to get yourself out and enjoy the great weather.  Have a wonderful weekend....Go PUPS!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!!! Well, 2017 has arrived and with it many resolutions for change. As we are all aware, hope is not a strategy, so we have to work hard to reach our goals. If in 2017 you have set new goals for yourself, I encourage you on your journey. As Chinese philosopher Lao once said “even the longest and most difficult ventures have a starting point.” Sometimes just starting is the hardest part. The Law of Inertia states that an object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. In other words, the first step is sometimes the toughest. Have a great 3-day weekend…Go Pups! (cue: Michael Jackson – Man in the Mirror)