Homecoming

Homecoming has now past and October has arrived.  The cooler weather is upon us and it could not have come at a better time.  Hot weather seems to make for shorter fuses in our students.  As educators we all learn patience during the months of October and March…long stretches with no 3-day weekends.  When challenges arise, I always ask myself a question about perception or reality. Are these concepts the same?  Probably not.  We need to understand that a student perception is their reality.  We should seek to understand their perception and the lens with which they view us. Have a most wonderful weekend. Go Pups! (cue Foreigner: Juke Box Hero) 

 

First Day of Fall

The first day of Fall was this past Saturday and the heat of the summer remains.  We are all looking for a change and a change will soon be coming.  We are happy the forecast is for after homecoming.  No matter when it arrives, it will not last.  What remains will be glorious weather.  As I wrote back in 2014, whether rain is literal or metaphorical, just remember that in both cases, it takes both rain and sun to make a rainbow.  That is always 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 and an even better homecoming.  Go Pups! (cue Creedence Clearwater Revival: Have You Ever Seen The Rain)

What's Your Soundtrack?

Many of you have asked why I make musical references in my weekly update.  Here is the explanation from my update on October 10, 2014:  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.  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 new memory.  So ask yourself, what soundtrack is playing?  Have a remarkable Friday and a most excellent weekend.  Go Pups! (cue: Michael Jackson – Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’)

Embrace the Good Things

Now that Spring Break is over, we look forward to the final push to graduation. Events are going to come and go at an increasingly fast pace, stress levels will be on the rise, and the weather is getting warmer.  Take the time to slow down and actually see the world around you.  Embrace the good things, throw away the bad things, and strive everyday to be better.  Isn’t this what we are asking our students to do?  Maybe we should spend the weekend swinging in a hammock pondering that question, or, since your in the hammock, read a good book or simply sleep. Have a fabulous weekend…Go Pups! (cue: David Lantz and Pual Spear – Behind the Waterfall)

Valentine's Day

 We are now into the second half of February having just past Valentines Day.  As one of our celebrated ‘holidays’, many simply buy the obligatory card and flowers.  The origin however is much more interesting. Legend has it that Valentine was a priest during the rule of Cladius II. The emperor decided that single men made better soldiers so he outlawed marriage. Valentine defied the law and continued to perform ceremonies in secret. When Emperor Cladius II discovered this, Valentine was put to death.  Makes for a compelling story, but not historically accurate.  Valentine, was real and Cladius II did actually sentence him to death on February 14th for cimes against Rome. Quite interesting how the story changes.  I guess it is not much different than today.  Sometimes it is hard to believe all the stories we hear. That being said, I choose to assume the best of intentions. Have a super weekend…Go Pups! (cue: Andrea Bocelli – Con Te Partiro)

New Year

Happy New Year!  I think I am okay saying that until the end of January.  As for the weekend, thanks to Martin Luther King Jr., there is no school on Monday. For that, we should probably remember the issues for which Reverend King stood.  His push for civil rights through civil disobedience and nonviolence was inspirational at the very least.  As a Nobel Peace Prize winner, he was devoted to equality for all.  In his famous ‘I Have A Dream’ speech delivered on August 28, 1963, he made the most famous statement, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” Powerful words that today we look at and say, “dah”! Judge people on the content of their character? Absolutely!  Everytime.  Thank you Dr. King for your profound words and actions.  We will forever be grateful. Enjoy yourself and have an unbelievable weekend…Go Pups! (cue: Pete Seeger – We Shall Overcome) 

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)