Thanksgiving Break

We made it to Thanksgiving break. Whew! What a time for a break.  It couldn’t come at a better time. Though the holiday season begins with Halloween, it certainly speeds up after Thanksgiving. Though I love all the holidays, Thanksgiving is my favorite.  Of course the food has its appeal, but for me it is more about the people. It’s a time where we can pause, take a moment to truly slow down and give thanks for everything and everyone around us. Growing up, I always remember my parents inviting people over for a big Thanksgiving feast. Many times, these people were Airmen from the local Castle Air Force Base. They were a long way from home and their families, so my parents welcomed them with open arms. Due to the kindness of my parents, these people became part of my extended family and are spread out all over the country. When I get the chance to talk to them, they always remember the Thanksgiving we spent together and the impact of the gesture. Because of that, I understand that giving thanks means being thankful for those around us. It is taking the time to reflect on how important the bonds are that we make in the relationships that we build. It is more than just a meal. Soon, Thanksgiving will be over and we will be dropped into the middle of “Tis the Season” where stores will be packed with people. Temperaments will rise as temperatures drop. Until then, I’m simply going to kick up my heels a bit, be thankful, and enjoy those people around me. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and an exceptional week. Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue Pharrella - “Happy”) .

Until next time...

Costumes

It was so wonderful seeing the kids dressed in all their costumes on Halloween.  What a wonderful time! I know the holiday is not the favorite of many sometimes, teens can get into mischief, but I enjoy the night.  Though I have never been a costume guy, I can appreciate those that participate.  The time and effort is commendable. The truth is, it is a comfort thing. Costumes always make me want to fidget. I’m not saying I would never wear one, I’m just saying that it would have to meet the primary standard of comfort. So enough about my hang up on costumes, let’s get back to the point. Just for the record, I know the evening is for the kids, but I enjoy seeing the teens that visit my house with an open bag. Some say the teens should not involve themselves in ‘Trick or treating’.  I feel that when they are visiting homes filling their bags with treats, they certainly are not elsewhere involved in some undesirable behavior. If they want to hold on to being a kid for a few more years, why not. The time is fleeting and they shouldn’t surrender to adulthood too quickly. Enjoy being a kid. In due time, young adulthood will emerge and remove them from our doorsteps only to give way to more youth. More fun costumes worn by timid little ones.  Just the thought brings a smile to my face.  It truly is a great evening to kick off our holiday season. Have the most excellent weekend. Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue Corey Hart - “Never Surrender”.

Until next time...

Whatever will be, will be...

Does anyone know what ever happened to the times of ‘Qué será, será’?  I ask that for a very specific reason however, I need to give some background. When I was young and impressionable, my parents would regularly tune one of our four television channels to the famed Doris Day Show. The program was a favorite in my house for two reasons, my parents were big fans of Doris Day and San Francisco, the setting of the show. I have a vivid memory of seeing Doris Day in the opening credits jumping from a cable car as the song played. Thoughts of the show itself invoke good feelings for me however my memories of specific items are limited at best. The laissez-faire attitude that everything will be alright brings me to my point. As we grow into adulthood, we sometimes forget that our outlook can depend on our attitude.  As the song promotes, “Whatever will be, will be’. The future’s not ours to see, Qué será, será” The point hits home with me. So many times, like so many others, I fuss about what I cannot control. In my personal life and in my professional life, I do my best in any situation to meticulously plan for success while at the same time prepare for the alternative. I certainly never just say “Whatever will be, will be.”  Those days are gone and I’m not really sure when they vanished. Have the most excellent weekend. Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue Doris Day - “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)”.

Until next time...

Keeping the Faith

We have reached the middle of October and the weather is about to turn. We all know the seasons in the Valley are limited.  We go from hot to mildly hot, then shift to cold and wet fog cold. We really don’t get the benefit of the four seasons as the rest of the Country.  Though this is the case, we will reminisce about the weather just as much as we reminisce about everything else.  Yes, when we were younger, the weather was perfect.  The Hall of Fame singer has an autobiographical song about reminiscing, “Keeping the Faith”.  In the song, he reminds us that the “good ole days weren't always good, And tomorrow ain't as bad as it seems.”  So true.  When we reminisce, it is human nature to remember the things that were good and discard all the bad. Sometimes, bad memories stick and unfortunately, only time will heal that pain. Because of this, it is so important for us to engineer great memories for our students. The negative ones will be thrown out because even the most challenging student desires good memories. Even in the difficult times for our students, we have to remind them that “tomorrow isn’t as bad as it seems.” This is simply a measure of hope.  Keeping the faith that their dreams are still achievable. So just remember, the good ole days weren’t always good and tomorrow ain’t as bad as it seems. Have the most excellent weekend. Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue Billy Joel - “Keeping the Faith” ). 

Until next time...

Autumn Serenade

As the first week of October passes by, we get to welcome the sights and smells of Fall.  In my household, it seems like as soon as we pass Labor Day, my wife begins bringing out the fall decor.  She sweeps all the summer beach decor and replaces it with the colors of Fall. I tried this year to appeal, considering it was over 100 degrees outside.  It just didn’t seem right. When it is that hot outside, I can’t even think about fall, only indoor air conditioning and the colors that surround our backyard pool. Then, Starbucks brought out their pumpkin spice and my attempts to appeal were over. My family loves pumpkin spice. Pumpkin this and pumpkin that is regularly on order.  I am not a big fan of pumpkin spice myself.  I guess my existence certainly follows the nursery rhyme with a small revision. I’m truly made of snips and snails, and puppy dogs' tails and the rest of my family is no doubt made of pumpkin spice, and everything nice. They compliment me and I know I am lucky because they let me hang around. All kidding aside, fall is a wonderful time of year, even with the heat. When I’m not at a school function, I get to spend my time at kids soccer games , band reviews, taking walks to the park, and just being Dad. So if I need to endure the continual smell of pumpkin spice in the house, I’ll take it for the team. Have an exceptional weekend. Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue John Coltrane - “Autumn Serenade” ).

Until next time...

Idle Tuesdays

The arrival of Homecoming week brings with it so many fun activities for staff and students. This one however was different for me.  This week, I was given the gift of reflection. On Tuesday, an elderly gentleman entered my office. Normally, when anyone from the community comes to speak to me, it is regarding a complaint, so I was dutifully prepared. As he entered, he immediately introduced himself. He was carrying a ball cap with which he referenced. The cap was from the Central Valley Honor Flight. He specifically came to the High School just to tell me about his trip.  Born in June of 1936, he was supposed to graduate from Selma High in 1955. He said because of his behavior and his interactions with a few difficult teachers, he never graduated. He dropped out to enlist in the Air Force in 1954.  His service took him overseas to Europe and Asia, but he remained a proud Selma Bear at heart. After leaving the service, he became a bus driver and later a trainer for Greyhound in Las Vegas. After retiring, he returned to Fresno to live because his family home in Selma had long been sold. So now to the reason for the story and the bottom line of his visit.  He told me that he knows he only has a short time remaining in his life, and he wanted to come to the high school to apologize. He simply wanted to deliver the message of regret. He continued by saying that although all his teachers have now passed away, he wanted to let me know they did not deserve his behavior. He did not share his health condition, and it was not my intent to ask, but there was sincerity in his eyes and his words that seared me to the core. As he left, I thanked him for his service and for the visit. Though his name will remain confidential, I will forever remember his impact. Let that be another lesson for me that I will never know what is going to walk into my office on some idle Tuesday.  Have a great weekend. Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue Green Day - "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)". 

Until next time...

Parkinson's Law

We are now in the latter part of September and with it comes some really beautiful weather. The mild temperatures are met with street fairs and balloon festivals all across the Country. In our local area, this weekend is the Clovis Balloon Festival. Oftentimes with my family, we head out to watch and chase the balloons. Every year when I see the massive balloons floating through the air, I admire the serenity of the flight.  Many times as they fly overhead, I can hear the voices of the people above, or my kids can shout a kind hello as they pass above. Such a cool thing to see.  It is also very much in stark contrast to our profession. Many times, we are not surrounded by serenity or a floating direction. We, on the other hand, deal with Parkinson’s Law.  I am not talking about the unfortunate condition that many are stricken with, but the law of work and time.  Parkinson’s law states "work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion." Yes, that is our life in education.  There is never enough time. That is why it is so important to work efficiently or as my father would say, “work smarter, not harder.”  When you find the answer to Parkinson’s Law, please tell me. I’m sure my kids would like me to chase more balloons. Have a great weekend. Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue Christopher Cross - "Sailing"). 

Until next time...