Excellence is in the details.  Give attention to the details and excellence will come. ~Perry Paxton

Week 23 in Review

I love coming home.  I especially love it when I have visited other schools and come home the dedicated, incredible, crazy (I say that totally in terms of fun) people I work with every day at Benton.  After attending EduCon 2.4 and visiting the Science Leadership Academy (SLA) in Philadelphia, PA, it hit home how much we have really focused on becoming the school we envisioned five years ago.  Without question, SLA is an amazing school, and the work they are doing there allows students to really grow and learn.  In an era when what is expected from educators and educational institutions has changed dramatically in as little as a decade, Benton has also taken great strides to keep up with the changes and in many facets of our thinking, we might just be leading the way.

I truly believe reaching the point where we operate today has come some deep reflections in our own practice, being and staying prepared to meet the challenges of the next days, months and years, and then most of all pulling together in the same direction to offer the most productive environment and opportunity for learning that we cohesively are capable of offering.  It has not been an easy journey.  We have come from the days where we were focused on reducing tardies (Do any of you remember that?  We had over 32,000 tardies that year that with a focused plan we reduced to just under 7,000), to looking at a plan next year where we are focused on implementing data teams throughout every course we teach so that our transparency of practice – from selecting power standards, to very detailed data analysis, ending with specific differentiation our classrooms – allows our students to be more capable of achieving their goals than ever before with all of us accountable to our students and each other.  It’s a lofty goal.  It’s a goal that takes a dedicated, incredibly, and somewhat crazy staff to achieve.   Yes, I’m talking about you.

Week 24 – A Look Ahead

When I look at my calendar for this upcoming week, I want to strap on safety harness for the carnival ride we are about to enjoy.  Get ready for a crazy ride!  Don’t say you were not warned:

This week is not only Homecoming Week, but it’s also National Counseling Week.  Celebrate with our candidates and our counseling staff.  Please take time to say something special to each of them.  You never know how much it means to have support from a co-worker and teacher.  Make a difference in another’s life this week.

Monday we have a Pep Assembly (pep assembly schedule) for Mr. BHS (2:10; 2:00 dismissal for participants; list will be sent by sponsors).  I can’t wait to see the line of candidates.  Make sure you cheer loudly for our teacher nominee! And please announce to your students that there will be free game entry both Monday and Tuesday for any students wearing the NEW Cardinal Crazies shirts (for sale in the school store).  For students who have purchased an activities pass, they will get a ticket from the gate worker for a free hotdog/popcorn at the game.  On Tuesday, Benton will participate in the National Earthquake Drill that will take place at 10:15 a.m.  Please make sure you review your emergency flip chart.  We will also be on assembly schedule with the Pep Assembly for Staff v. Students Bball game (2:10; 2:00 dismissal for participants; list will be sent by sponsors). Thanks to everyone who will be participating on these special days.  Our kids really love it when we join them and play.  On Wednesday, we have JEPD all day to prepare for registration (schedule will be sent Tuesday) as well as the first SIP planning meeting for 2012-2013 plan at 3:00 Room 108.  On Thursday we have the ACT Academy final session before test as well as the PTA Founders Day Dinner that night to celebrate our PTA members (you don’t have to attend, but feel free to thank our PTA parents for their service if you happen to see them out and about).  On Friday we will be on Pep Assembly schedule once again for Homecoming Court with an earlier  class release  for the event. (1:40 dismissal – 1:30 for participants – list will be sent by sponsors).  I understand we are going to have a great staff dance team performing during the assembly.  Between finding out who is on Homecoming Court and watching the staff dancers, I can’t wait until Friday!  Also Friday night is our big game and Homecoming King/Queen crowning and court presentation.  I would hope this would be a BIG STAFF ATTENDANCE night. We will definitely have reserved seating that night for our staff.  Finally on Saturday Benton will host the February ACT testing and then later that night we will have our Homecoming Dance (7-930 – sophomore class sponsors are assigned supervision and should arrive 15 minutes early).

Like I said, it’s going to be a great week.  Join in and enjoy the ride.  You will not regret nor forget making memories.  The kids won’t let you!

~Excellence is a journey, not a destination ~

All images are CC available in Flickr:  “Red door” by Steve-h; “Heart” by seyed mostafa zamani; “Stairs” by swisscan; “Marinos Ices Mixture” by Stephen Zacharias. 

There is none who cannot teach somebody something, and there is none so excellent but he is excelled. ~Baltasar Gracian

Week 22 in Review

Last week we started the conversation about planning our school improvement for the 2012-2013 year.  This is a conversation that will provide the underpinning for the entire planning sequence in the next months.  This is a conversation about how we want and need to sustain change in order to improve our practices not only as the St. Joseph School District or as Benton High School, but more importantly how you are changing the microcosm that is your classroom.  Reading works by Michael Fullan, an author of educational change theory, reminded me that for change to be authentic, it can’t be superficially occurring only at the leadership or planning levels.  For change to be real and sustained, Fullan states that, “our theory of action informs us that any strategy of change must simultaneously focus on changing individuals and the culture or system within which they work” (November 2006).  Consider what you have changed in your instructional practice this year.  What is different?  Where have you improved your pedagogy?  How did you improve your content knowledge? Did technology integration change how you interacted with students, your subject matter, and the world?  These are critically important questions that must be answered for “where are we?” and “where do we want to go?” in order to plan for improvement and sustain the change we have already realized.

Also last week we celebrated our students in their academic achievements.  We need to keep improving this process. What can your department do to celebrate the academic achievements of students taking your courses?  I challenge you to create a celebration process and make it public.  Make the expectations public.  Make them achievable, and most of all celebrate loudly. What will you award?  Will you give something for your award? Remember — do not give prizes that are not supportive of our school mission or district policy.  It makes no sense to award perfect attendance with a day away from school.  Oh, the irony.  Let’s make the goal for your department to openly celebrate be no later than the end of the third quarter.  I can’t wait to see your ideas.

Week 23 – A Look Ahead

Low and behold, this is a quiet week.  What a great time to step up our game on things that are important to us as an instructional staff and to our school operationally.  How are your classroom expectations being met?  I feel it’s appropriate to think back to the beginning of the year when we are all excited and solidarity was strong.  We must support each other by taking care of the small things that in amalgamation make big differences.  Stay strong on classroom management.  Plan lessons and implement using your full instructional time.  Build play into your lessons and enjoy learning with your students.   Analyze your data and make intentional instructional decisions that impact student understanding.  Perhaps these are not actually small things…but we must be vigilant in paying attention to them to allow our students and our school to be successful.

Thursday is ACT Academy #3. That’s really our only big academic event this week.   Other than that, be thinking of whether or not you will be a part of the upcoming SIP team or if you are unable to commit, who in your department you feel needs to be included in the planning.  It’s a great time to also start having the conversations around your 2012-2013 Power Standards for the courses you teach.  I urge you to think ahead.  You will be happy you did.

 

Images available through Creative Commons on Flikr:  “Burning Match” by John C. Shaw; “Unbelievable” by FUNKYAH; “An apple a day will light your way” by Ahd Photography. 

Don’t waste your time striving for perfection; instead strive for excellence – doing your best.             ~Sir Lawrence Oliver

Week 21 in Review

This past Saturday, when I was sitting in the ceremony where Coach Musser was inducted into the MHSBCA Hall of Fame, I listened as many other awards were given to outstanding coaches across the state of Missouri for their notable records, prowess in the game, or dedicated and successful service to student athletes.

I began to ponder how and when this extremely popular and highly successful organization established the criteria to award such excellence.  It made me realize that these coaches, although certainly not coaching each day to receive accolades for their work, step up to the plate day after day, inning after inning in hopes of helping each player to hit a homerun in his life.

And as you know me to do, I thought about the academic awards given to students by our school for their dedication and hard work.  It seemed appropriate since this coming week we have our Academic Pep Assembly to celebrate our students.  Wandering in my reverie, it brought me to consider…what awards could we create and give to Benton staff that encapsulates our journey of excellence?

I think if I were creating awards for our staff, I would want them to be for individuals who are going above and beyond what’s provided in-house to grow both pedagogically and/or professionally.  It is that sort of dedication from teachers that will be required by our state in the very near future.  You probably already know that I would want every teacher in our school to get an award, and I began to worry that perhaps I had not proposed or encouraged that sort of excellence from each of you.  Are you working to excel in your pedagogical life outside of our job-embedded professional development or district/school collaboration?  If you are ONLY relying on those models to increase your excellence, then you are holding status quo with many if not most.  For excellence to occur, you need to do more. What professional works are you reading?  What classes are you taking?  What is your next degree goal?  Are you a leader in our building?  What innovations are you leading?  What have you created to grow excellence in our school or in our peers? I want to encourage each of you to reflect, consider and create a plan for your own growth.  You will feel vibrant, and soon you will realize the change you can make in your life and others.

Week 22 – A Look Ahead

CAMP will be busy this week.  Don’t forget to review the ARROW Forms with seniors and juniors.  Remember to be diligent about guiding and encouraging students.  It’s imperative that our students are aware and asking for interventions if they are testing. On Monday, students who signed up to learn about the Upward Bound Math and Science program at Northwest this summer should be passed to the auditorium.  Look for the list on email.  Tuesday we will have CAMP Congress.  Please have your CAMPers prepared to talk about 1) our upcoming course registration process, and 2)  the student handbook. Remind them to bring their computers to the meeting. 

Also this week we are selling our Cardinal Crazies Tshirts in the school store, which we will advertise Monday during announcements.  If students purchase these shirts, they will be given free entrance to at least one game for each of the winter sports.  The first free game is this Tuesday night for Wrestling.  Remind the kids.  This is going to be a great night!

Wednesday, we have a Benton Leadership Team (BLT) meeting at 7:00 a.m. in Room 106.  We have many major decisions to make about Project Connect, registration, and the new SIP.  Also Wednesday is the sophomore visit to Hillyard for our students to see if they are interested to start in the programs at Hillyard as a junior.  This list has been emailed and will be finalized prior to Wednesday.  Thursday is our second session for the ACT Academy as well as our Academic Pep Assembly.  Awards will be given for Principal’s Honor Roll, High Honor Roll, perfect attendance and more.  I know for sure two prizes are a movie style popcorn popper and a television.  This is going to be a fun week! Go Cardinals!

~Excellence is a journey, not a destination.~

Photos available in Creative Commons on Flikr:  Sunlight by rishibando; Coach Musser’s Award by me; first place by EvelynGiggles; Staircase Bookshelf by ooh_food.

The road to excellence is always under construction.                  ~Author Unknown

Week 20 in Review

With exception of the weather, last week felt like Christmas. First of all, our students were able to take home their own laptops.  What a great day for Benton High School. What a great week, actually. Attendance was solid. Student engagement was up.  Disciplinary referrals all but came to a standstill. I went from knocking on wood to wondering when the honeymoon was going to end.  I pray this week is no different. And get this, after eight days of school, we have managed something I don’t think has ever happened at our school, but I know for sure has not happened in this century – we managed to have 94.3% face to face meets with our parents and guardians through the Project Connect presentation and we have the signatures to prove it!  And this week, we only get to build on that.

And speaking of building, this past Wednesday, Benton was given a second gift with the news that our School Board had given the final approval to build our new field house up near Sparks Stadium.  In case you did not know this already, this fell into place with the final collection of required monies that Benton had to match to the district to help build the facility.

I want to send a super high five to Coach Tabor for realizing this dream. Coach Tabor has spent the better part of two years getting to this day. To understand his efforts is to have attended hundreds of meetings, fretted countless hours over plans to make sure everyone’s needs were met, and landed over $375,000 dollars in donations to Benton’s “Soaring on to Glory” Campaign. And many of you helped him get there, which I know he and I appreciate greatly.  This is a amazing achievement for our school. It’s been a long- standing vision that has finally been realized. With hope, we will finalize bids and get contractors in place to break ground before the end of this fiscal year. How great is that news?!?

Finally, this week we also found out that one of our own, Coach Mike Musser, was named to be inducted into the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Friday, February 17^th. Since the beginning of this Hall of Fame, only 52 coaches have been included on this very prestigious roster. Please be sure to congratulate Coach Musser on receiving this accolade. This is definitely a legacy we want to be building upon.

Week 21 – A Look Ahead

Building on the excellent week we had last week won’t be easy nor will it be simple. Without looking a gift horse in the mouth, it’s time to look at our student’s increased engagement in the classroom. I challenge you this week to make sure your students are using their new instructional tool to further the learning of your lesson.  Are they working on projects, activities or research after you finish your mini-lesson that enhances your instructional objective that day?  Are they collaborating in their work?  Are they using their new one to one tools to read more and write more?  They should be, and they need to be.  With the date of the implementation of the Common Core Standards looming, why not take this opportunity to increase that focus?  It will take a new look from you.  You will have to examine your lessons to see where you can fit in different types of activities that further your instructional objectives and build on that. Have students read different articles – perhaps opposing – and then ask them to summarize and argue what they’ve learned from the reading whether they agree with what they read or not.  You would have to model this for them, of course, but what a great opportunity to extend your lesson in a very rigorous fashion. (if you want more information and inspiration, check our Sean Nash’s comments at the end of last week’s post)

This Thursday starts our next in-house ACT Academy. Look for the list to come out tomorrow. I will be talking to those students during CAMP to remind them of the expectations for the academy. I’m not sure how many of you know this, but as of this last test, our ACT average is strong. The February and April tests are always big for seniors, so please support them if they need any help or tutoring for this very important exam. The test is February 11^th if you didn’t remember.  Let’s make sure we keep building on that solid average.

Finally, Friday, January 20, is the next faculty lunch. Below are the assignments for that day:

SpEd, IT & FACS:  Veggies/Fruit
Sci, Bus & Libr:  Appetizers
CA, FA & FL:  Salads/Breads
SS, PE & Counseling:  Desserts
Math, Admin & Secr/support: Entree/Main Course (Taco/Potato Bar – we will bring taco meat and baked potatoes)

It’s going to be a great week to continue to build excellence in our school.  Data teams – remember to keep updating your information on your google.doc. Our data walkthrough with the district office is March 15^th.  We need to have no less than two more cycles totally completed by the walkthrough date.  With only 8 weeks of school left by the time we finish the district’s visit, you may only have one cycle left to complete before school year ends. Focus for the walkthrough will sit with our data teams and will also be centered on the common assessments used by the data teams, analysis of the data from the assessments, and interventions created and used as a result of the data. It’s nothing new, but we will spend most of next month getting that information shored up for the visit. Please begin getting that ready now.

Building on excellence. Remember, excellence is a journey not a destination. The journey was never going to be easy or simple, but we all know it will be worth it.  Go Cardinals!

~Excellence is a journey not a destination.~

Badness you can get easily, in quantity: the road is smooth, and it lies close by. But in front of excellence the immortal gods have put sweat, and long and steep is the way to it, and rough at first. But when you come to the top, then it is easy, even though it is hard. ~ Hesiod

Week 19 in Review
The Project Connect roll out was excellent!  I could not have asked for a better week, and walked around all day each day telling everyone so then knocking on wood hoping not to jinx it.  Turns out, I didn’t need to knock on wood at all.  What I needed to do was to pound fists with all of you!  As I thought back on each day, I realized how many of you stepped up or came through in moments when it really mattered.  That made all the difference between a successful roll out and a disastrous front page story.  It wasn’t just one big “save” that got us through (although Melissa Corey is certainly qualified there), but it was all the small but significant efforts from each of you that made our roll out work so well.  From helping each other register machines to helping reset the gym after each parent presentation, our staff continues to pull together in a way that chokes me up even now.  I am so proud and so appreciative of who we are and the team we have become.

Last week we hosted the opening night of our school store. A huge thanks goes out to Ronnie Knight and Jenny Moore for bring it from an interesting idea to an amazing actuality. I hope you have had a chance to see it .  It’s crazy cool.  One particular item  for sale is close to my heart – it’s the Benton High School challenge coin (based from the military tradition) that you see represented in the photos on this page.  I want to encourage everyone to purchase a coin for $5 and in the next few months consider giving it a student who is excellent for you.  Send it with a note.  Give it to that child to show you care and you want to reward the excellence.  It’s a great way to challenge others to be excellent too. I hope it is our new tradition.

Week 20 – A Look Ahead

This upcoming week presents several challenges – the largest being how to sustain the greatness we achieved from our roll out week.  This week is the real test when the students get to take the computers home…and bring them back because they need them to learn in your classroom.  We must also monitor which computers can go home and which need to stay in the office.  Look for that email to come out by CAMP Monday. I will be offering parent meetings as soon as Tuesday for our families who were not able to make a meeting last week.  Remember, there is no substitute for a parent meeting, so make sure you work through expectations for your class work with students who may not be able to take a computer home.  Tuesday in CAMP we will have our student ACT meeting.  That list will also be emailed to you.

We will be swapping our JEPD and Dept PD days this month due to early opportunities and needs. Wednesday we are offering instruction on EduBlogs Campus – a newly acquired opportunity from the district.  This is a full day PD, and we will provide the sub for you.  If you are interested in working with Sean Nash on Wednesday, email me immediately.  The spots for this professional development are limited.  This would be highly recommended for any departments focusing on writing in their data teams work. Thursday is job embedded professional development on Limelight – a district purchased tool that helps you facilitate assignments and assessments as well as track the data from both.  Bob Nash will deliver this instruction. Finally, Friday we are going to have to reschedule the Academic Pep Assembly.  Look for the date to be in the next few weeks.  And it’s going to be a great few weeks (and months) and before you know it we will be graduating our 2012 Seniors.  I’m glad we’re doing it together.

~ Excellence is a journey not a destination. ~

Excellence is a process that should occupy all of our days.                ~Ted Engstrom

Week 17 in Review

Last week was amazing.  From our job-embedded learning together to our pep assembly and finishing with our amazing faculty lunch, I found myself thinking about how very fortunate I am to work at Benton High School.  Every day is new and exciting.  Granted, there were days in the last year that seemed to never end, but not once did it steal my joy for work.  It’s my Christmas wish for you that you have the joy of feeling the same.

Week 18 – A Look Ahead

This is going to be a short and exciting week.  Monday is the last day the library is open so that we can clear it out to stage our laptop roll out.  Tuesday, hoping the snow holds off, we expect the arrival of the devices.  We will also have an exciting Christmas Pep Assembly at 2:10.  Wednesday, we will have 15-16 classrooms worth of furniture delivered (to be assembled) to the cafeteria.  And just to keep things hopping, we have finals on Wednesday and Thursday.  Don’t forget to send your finals for absent students to the office.  Those tests will be administered on January 5-6 through the office.

 And for all of you, we wish you a blessed holiday season.  It’s been a great first half of the school year.  I think more than anything, we have grown closer as a family.  It made my heart soar when the varsity basketball boys shared with me the fact that they say “family” in their team shout right before they play.  The spirit of the season resonates daily for me when I think of you all – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

~ Excellence is a journey not a destination. ~

Photos found in CC on Flikr:  Sugar Plum Snowflake by CaptPiper ;Star of Wonder by c.a.muller; blizzard bird the Christmas card by Steve took it

I do the very best I know how – the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the end. ~ Abraham Lincoln

 Week 16 in Review

As I think about this last week, and the last sixteen weeks, I realized I have so much to be thankful for on our journey of excellence.  In the spirit of the season, here are a few of my favorite things…

 

On the first day of excellence the Superintendent gave to me, a staff with spirited responsibility.

 

 

 On the second day of excellence the Associate Superintendent gave to she, two Assistant Principals who are amazing to every degree.

 On the third day of excellence the HR Director gave to we, three offices with sensational secretaries.

 On the fourth day of excellence we all select one of to receive, four periods of job embedded PD.

 On the fifth day of excellence the district gives to thee – five days a week of job security.

 On the sixth day of excellence all content area gives to many, six periods to plan for lessons collaboratively.

  On the seventh day of excellence the district gives to Z, a day of each week to organize our activities.  (Thank you Z)

 On the eighth day of excellence in a role always supporting, eight groups of staff who are always there for us and make teaching a possibility. (SRO, Nurse, Counseling, Maintenance, Nutrition, Secretaries, ISS, Library)

 On the ninth day of excellence our students will eventually see nine weeks of school (times four times four) that ends in a degree.

 On the tenth day of excellence, I know we’ll all agree, are the number of weeks in summer required to return in August peppy.

 On the eleventh day of excellence, in our staff it’s plain to see, eleven of the finest instructional departments in the SJSD.

 And on the twelfth day of excellence, for time to celebrate and be merry, are days of winter vacation to spend with your family.

Thank you to each one of you for working hard and staying the course on our journey of excellence.  You are making a difference each in your own way.

Week 17 – A Look Ahead

This week is not much different from so many others; it’s packed with events we need to be prepared for.  Make sure you take notice and remember: This is CAMP grade week.  We will have a specific activity on Thursday/Friday, so make sure you review grades with students on Mon-Wed!

Wednesday – Leadership Team meets in room 106 at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday — JEPD in the library.  It’s SUPER important for everyone to attend on this day.  There are only six school days left before we roll out laptops to our students.

Thursday – PEP Assembly schedule (for winter sports).  Wrestlers leave for Harrisonville Friday and both basketball teams play at the Civic Arena in the City Showcase on Thursday and Friday nights.  Coach Z will send a schedule to the staff early this week.

Friday – FACULTY LUNCH:

SS, PE & Counseling:  Entree/Main Course

SpEd, IT & FACS:  Appetizers,

Sci, Bus & Libr:  Salads/Breads
CA, FA & FL:  Desserts

Math, Admin & Secr/support: Veggies/Fruit

 

~ Excellence is a journey not a destination ~

Photos are available by Creative Commons in Flickr:  1 by chrisinplymouth; Number 2 by Leo Reynolds; 3 by Leo Reynolds; 4 MPH by Leo Reynolds; 5 by Leo Reynolds; 6 by Leo Reynolds; 7 by Leo Reynolds, 8 by Leo Reynolds, SC Cabin 9 by Auntie P; pool ball – Number 10 by Leo Reynolds; Advent calendar drawing number 11 by Leo Reynolds; 12 by Leo Reynolds; Ornamental View by Joe Gauder.

Men of perverse opinion do not know the excellence of what is in their hand, till someone dash it from them.  ~Sophocles

 

Week 15 in Review

Last week, we lost a dear friend and iconic servant for the St. Joseph School District.  Brenda Elifrits was a woman who encapsulated excellence in the work place.  She reminded me constantly of what excellence was; through so many difficulties that life has a tendency to throw at us, she lived professionally excellent.   I hope I can live my life similarly.  I hope you will too.  Daily we are offered the opportunity for a wonderful life.  I hope you each embrace it and live it in excellence.

 

Week 16 – A Look Ahead

This week we must stay strong.  It’s important for everyone to remember that we must provide excellent lessons to our students right up to the finish.  Do not compromise your class time.  Movies, worksheets and free/catch-up days are not teaching.  You should not make concessions to planned lessons and engaged classes.  There are three weeks left this semester.  Finish strong.

This week, we have CAMP Congress on Tuesday and a two-hour early out for district departmental PD on Wednesday.  On Thursday, the library will be closed at 10:30 for Southside Rotary to hold their annual lunch meeting with the choir performing a few special songs for the group.  Thursday is also our last ACT Academy session for our first in-house training.  And you don’t need a reminder that winter break is going to be here all too soon.  Thank you to all of you who provide excellence in education for our students every day.  It is important for us to live our lives professionally excellent every day. And with that, a toast to Brenda…”for a life of professional excellence.”  Hear, hear.

Photos are Creative Commons on Flickr:  “starry starry night” by bookgirl; “Snowflakes.” By Andy.Schultz

“The noblest search is the search for excellence.”                                              ~Lyndon B. Johnson

Week 14.5 in Review

I am thankful to live in the 21^st Century.  As  Kurt and I traveled the highways across four states to reach our boys for the holidays, I can honestly say I was so grateful for the growing ability to navigate technology.  Never again will I have to spend time trying to fold paper maps.  There goes that occupation, eh?  From using digital tools to research the history of a town you pass through to finding the best Mexican food restaurant in Dallas, I am in awe of how different the world is because of the tools we have available to us today to learn. And I am thankful of the quality of life it offers us despite how little we use it to its potential.

Week 15 – A Look Ahead

Looking into our near future, I hope you are all ready to tap into the potential of Benton High School going one to one (one laptop for every student to take home).  In case you didn’t remember, January 3^rd is our D-day (Delivery day).  This week, Tuesday (11/29) for RED and Wednesday (11/30) for WHITE, during our department meetings, we will be talking to each department about your roll-out readiness as well as giving an overview of the roll-out plans. We will be meeting in the library for all meetings, so be there as soon as possible after the bell.  Additionally, we will be migrating your data teams work to be fully accessible on-line. If you haven’t already, make sure all your data is available digitally.  We have a full agenda planned.  Our laptop deployment is almost here. It’s going to be an exciting time for all of us.

And with the powerful event of our laptop rollout upcoming, I am reminded of how special time is when it leads up to such a momentous occasion.  Like every day in December before Christmas when you were a child – the anticipation and excitement of the moment was often as precious as the moment itself.  We have so many significant moments in our near future – the adrenaline-racing opening games/matches of our winter sports season, our new and exciting staff Christmas party, the rapidly approaching semester finale, the much-cherished winter vacation, and the ever-anticipated laptop deployment. It is so much to pack into the next five weeks.  Yet even with all that on your minds do not allow even this month to go by without relishing every moment with staff, students and family.  Make every moment matter.  Choose to be happy.  Choose to be friendly.  Choose to get excited about the simple joys we experience daily.

We work in an excellent school with great people all around us.  Our students are really fun, even in the challenging moments, and provide a reason for us to make a difference in the world every day we go to work.  This is the season of sparkly things.  Take a moment to glitter; in so many ways, you offer so many gifts to our students.  Take the time to enjoy the excellence of the season.

~ Excellence is a journey not a destination. ~

All photos are CC from Flikr:  “Into Every Life, A Little Bokeh Must Fall” by Pink Sherbet Photography;“Sparkly” by ladybugbkt; “Colour Mix” by Mrs eNil; “It’s Christmas by Rebecca Gowen.