What a week!

What a week!  As I said in the staff meeting, I am beginning my 25th year in the profession and this is by far the hardest.  Not only are we dealing with new computer systems, new communication systems, and foreign online environments, but we have the fear and uncertainty of the pandemic on our minds.  No matter what I am faced with, my goal is always to be genuine, to be transparent, and to be real.  Anything less is seen, or soon known, as such.  One day, we will all look back on this time and tell stories of the great pandemic. Hopefully they will be stories of inspiration and perseverance and not misery and sorrow.  That being said, take some time this weekend to relax and transport yourself to the good ole days. You know…the times when masks were not needed, you could eat out at a restaurant, and the ‘bad guys’ were known as bad guys. Have a most excellent weekend.  Go PUPS! (cue Eddie Money – I want to go back) 

Finality of Playoffs

It is the time of November when the seasons of sport begin to shift.  Some fall sports and still involved is playoffs however, some have had their seasons end abruptly. That finality of playoffs is not often talked about with students.  For some students, they have next year and for seniors, they may not ever play that sport again competitively.  That reality sinks in usually after the final game and in the playoffs, more times than not, the final game is a loss. Only one team ends their season with a win and they are called the champion. So, though I enjoy the spirit of competition and want our teams to always win, I understand the finality for students on both sides. I see the tears; some of joy and some of complete devastation. Both very real. Enjoy your weekend with the tremendous weather...GO PUPS! (cue: Van Halen, Dance The Night Away).

Quite the Contrary.

November 1st is here and it marks the end of the grading period. This is the perfect time to reflect on our practice as professionals.  Everyday we must remember that parents send us their best.  They don’t keep the ‘good ones’ at home and send us the leftovers.  Quite the contrary. We are a public school that takes all comers with the goal of receiving them in the morning and sending home just a little better than they arrived to us. We don’t have to make huge changes, just small ones daily that add will up. That will truly make the difference.  Case in point: Today in history, Amazon. com was registered as a domain name in 1994.  The company launched in 1995 with the mission “to be Earth’s most customer-centric company”. No doubt that was a bold goal. I bring this up because my goal is similar: to make a difference in the lives of students. Just like with Amazon, the decision to start is the greatest challenge. May you have wonderous weekend…Go PUPS! (cue: The Who, Who Are You).

We All Have A Story

We have reached the end of October and Halloween is just a few days away. October 31st generally signifies the start of the festive holiday season. During this season, take a moment to take a personal inventory.  Pay attention to those around you.  Though the season can be very happy, statistically it has the highest incidence of depression for our students.  A kind word, gesture, or a simple smile can change a day and provide a little bit of sunshine. We all have a story that we bring with us, students included. The great thing is that though our stories have been started, they have yet to have an ending.  We have the power to write our story and impact the stories of those around us. It is simply a matter of choice.  That being said, I choose positive. May you have a prodigiously restful weekend…Go PUPS! (cue: Bobby McFerrin, Don’t Worry Be Happy).

Cooler Heads

Well we have reached the second half of October and the cooler temperature is here.  Let us hope that with it students can have cooler heads.  At this time of year, students have been on campus enough to build grudges against each other that are played out on campus and in social media. Our goal is always to identify these issues early so we can attempt to intervene.  We can encourage students to talk and express their feelings in a constructive way.  Hopefully, our attempts can place students on the correct path in which they let the past go.  This however, is probably one of the most difficult things a person can do, not just a teenager.  Nevertheless our goal remains.  Get them to talk, let it out, and work through their differences in a constructive way. That can apply to all of us. Have a marvelous weekend…Go PUPS! (cue: Shout, Tears for Fears).

Fall Traditions

Homecoming has now arrived and with it, the memories we all have of times long since past. The tradition of homecoming reminds me of the importance of being an educator in a high school.  Though our goal is to prepare students for the next level, we are constructing memories along the way.  That is very apparent during homecoming week. We need to always be thinking about the importance of our events and the lasting memories that remain. In sports, there is a time honored saying, “Players win ‘em, Coaches lose ‘em.”  The job of a coach is to prepare the players for competition:  To put the players in the position to win. That is the same for teachers.  Everyday we need to put students in the position to get a win.  How that is done is up to you. Have an absolutely wonderful weekend…Go PUPS! (cue: Winner Takes It All, ABBA).

Autumn is Here

Autumn is here and the weather is absolutely glorious.  If you are anything like me, you love this time of year.  For me, there is nothing better than the cooler mornings followed by the perfect afternoons.  As for school, the stretch of October and November can be daunting. Studies have shown that the longer the time is between a 3 day weekend, the larger the increase in behavior challenges. Could this be relatable to the stress on the students or the teachers?  I will leave the answer for you to decide.  For now, I will simply wish for patience for each of us.  Have an extraordinary weekend…Go PUPS! (cue: Waiting on a Friend, Rolling Stones).