Two week break...

 After missing in action for two weeks, the Weekly Communication returns. No doubt, the Spring semester has arrived fast and furious. Hopefully we will experience a wet and rainy February, so we can swim into March. Whether it rains or not, we all know allergy season is just around the corner. In no time, our our eyes will burn (just don’t rub them), and our noses will tickle causing us to get to the pharmacy. Ah yes…the Valley in the Spring. Before then, embrace the cold weather, rain, and snow. We’ll miss it when it’s gone. Have a fantastic 3-day weekend. Go Pups!

Happy New Year!

 

Another year as arrived and with it, the Spring semester. Before we know it, the warm weather will assault us along with the dress code issues. Before then, let us embrace the cold, hope for the rain, out run the flu, and spend our weekends resting for come what may. Go Pups!

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!