August 30, 2016 - Beyond the Four Walls - Moving Offices

Today, I moved my office into the lobby of Calhoun High School and invited the entire student body of CMS and CHS to stop by and share in conversation as they express concerns, or simply want to chat.  Below is the message I shared with my staff based on my insights from today's experience:

Campus Colleagues, 

I wanted to take a moment to share a few things that my experience moving my office into the lobby for a day taught me.  Thank you for indulging me as I pass on these small yet perhaps meaningful insights:

Today I learned...

1. That moving a full suite of furniture in the lobby yourself is difficult, but asking for help in returning these items makes it far easier.  This may seem trivial, but it reminded me that it is okay to ask for help when facing challenging tasks.

2. Students recognize and appreciate when we step beyond the four walls and do something extraordinary.  It did not take long for comments to spread and for students to come visit the "crazy" principal with his office in the lobby.  Sometimes it takes an unusual gesture to stir conversation and create a buzz around campus.

3. Students want to have open and honest conversation with their teachers and administrators but are often timid in doing so.  We have to sometimes remove those barriers in order to create an environment where these open conversations are welcome.

4. We have some pretty incredible students!  Our students are so observant and their knowledge and insight they imparted upon me today was quite overwhelming.  I have summarized a few of those items below:

• We have students who love to learn and engage in active learning experiences.  Even the ones who struggle to love school, shared that they enjoy when the learning is hands on.
• We have teachers who love their students and care about their profession.  EVERY student I spoke to today had positive things to say about their teachers.  No student shared a dislike for a teacher.  They may share that they don't like the subject, but they all said they knew their teachers cared for them.
• We have students who struggle with many external obstacles ranging from the threat of deportation to family money problems, etc.  
• We have a sense of school pride which is acknowledged and felt by all to some degree.  

5. Our students are curious.  If we engage them in the classroom with strategies which challenge their preconceived notions of "school" they will be putty in your hands.  I would sit working today, and students would come by and take pictures, share a smile, give me a thumbs up, etc.  They want to be challenged to think of things in new ways.  Redefine your classroom!  Get beyond the 4 walls!

6. It's not always about having a conversation... it's about being present.  Most students did not stop to have conversation.  Most simply wanted to see what was going on in the lobby... what they had heard about.  As I would see those same students walk back through later in the day I would engage them in conversation and this opened a conversation which I would not have had if I was not present in the lobby... in the hall... to speak with them specifically.

7. We have awesome teachers!  I saw so many teachers supporting students in the hallway... walking with students... sharing a friendly hello.

8. Our community appreciates seeing what we are doing in our classrooms.  I gathered a lot of positive attention via social media, text messages, email, etc. from parents and community members who saw I was doing something a little out of the ordinary today.  Our families love to see what we are doing with their kids.  Be sure to share with them!

Every day I am proud to be a Yellow Jacket.  Today, I was especially proud to be one.  I want to thank each of you for allowing me to work along side you as we meet the challenge of educating more than 2100 students across grades 6-12.  My challenge to you today, and the rest of the year, will be to ask, how will you move your classroom beyond the 4 walls?

August 21, 2016 - Every Dream Needs a Strong Team

If you are like me, you have been glued to the olympic games in Rio these past two weeks.  In lieu of early nights, I have been cheering on the athletes of the United States as they showcase their talent while representing their country with pride.  The olympic games will come to a close this Sunday evening, but the games are far from over at Calhoun Middle and High School.  We are two weeks in to a long season.  A season which will allow us to show our pride in the Jacket Nation.  I cannot say enough how proud I am of our students, our parents and our community.  This was demonstrated in full force this Friday evening at Phil Reeve stadium, where thousands of people gathered to lend their support to our students.  Education is truly a team sport.  In order for us to be successful in pushing our team beyond the black and gold standard of excellence, we need coaches, pit crews, and cheerleaders.  Teachers, parents and the community will assume each of these roles at appropriate times, and it is when we work together that we will find great success.  I want to thank the parents and the community for entrusting myself and my staff with the awesome responsibility of coaching your students to success.  It is a task we do not take lightly, and one we need your support in order to accomplish.  I can say with confidence that we have outstanding things taking place each and every day on The Campus and we invite you to come along side us as we continue to strive for excellence.  Go Jackets!  #GAMEON.

Staff Spotlight:  Stay tuned... we will be announcing our Teachers of the Year on Monday.

Student Spotlight:
Congratulations to our 2016 Homecoming Nominees.  These ladies will be featured at our first homecoming assembly on Friday, August 26, 2016 at 8:15a.m.:

• 9th
• Erin Barnes, Madalyn Cross, Anna George, Emma King, Jenna Santori
• 10th 
• Ariana Cantellano, Ashton Ensley, Marley Gentry, Daleigh Higgins, Trinity Reyes
• 11th 
• Sarah Green, Alexis Moss, Alexis Owens, Julia Palazzolo, Cecilia Swink
• 12th – Homecoming Queen Nominees
• Sammy Bramlett, Kelsey Hall, Abrinna Nannie, Marlee Nichelson, Tori Trimble

August 7, 2016 - Exceeding the Black and Gold Standard of Excellence

This week we will welcome over 2000 students to The Campus of Calhoun Middle and High School.  Our staff have been working around the clock preparing for their arrival, and we plan to roll out the red carpet as we welcome them to what will be a landmark year in Calhoun City Schools long history.   Each and every student will have an individualized schedule, handcrafted around their specific needs, ready for them in their homeroom on Monday morning.  Students who have not yet seen their schedule will find the name and location of their homeroom in the lobby area of each school.  Each day this week we will be reviewing some important changes in the student handbook and we will publish this highlighted information for parents to view as the week progresses.

I know that a lot of students, and parents, feel a sense of anxiety when returning to the school year.  When will I go to lunch? Who will I sit with? What if I don't know anyone in my classes? The number of questions will grow, yet the answers will come in time.  Please encourage your students by reaffirming that school is a place where they should feel safe and encouraged.  It is my promise to the community that I will do my part in ensuring that each and every student feels comfortable coming to learn at The Campus each and every day.  Certainly we will experience bumps in the road, but if we all work together to exceed the black and gold standard of excellence we will surely be successful.