LEADING THROUGH LISTENING

Since the inception of the Common Core Learning Standards, I have been obsessed with watching the world of education react to all of the coverage. For all of the angst and concern regarding the CCLS, no one can argue that they have caused our country and communities to bring the discussion of education to the forefront. Recently, the State Education Department has released some new information regarding updated standards. Ironically, not much is drastically different. It appears that NYSED is listening to those in the field who are asking for more streamlined, sensible, and understandable standards. Included in that is the need for more support. Based on these initial drafts, it seems as if people are being are heard. Nonetheless, standards remain nothing more than standards. They are the benchmarks that we expect our children to reach at certain points along their path to graduation. It is still incumbent upon our teachers to move the bar and get our children to reach these standar...

My question is simple this week; why do so many students feel that resorting to violence is the solution to their problems? Often times I ask myself and others questions that just basically confuse me. This past week, we had a few physical altercations in our schools and every time kids do stuff like that I've always wondered why. It's the same thing when you meet someone as an adult and they brag about how many fights they were in or they think it's funny to talk trash and intimidate people. I just don't understand the purpose of it. In a society where we are supposed to be working to get along and end hate; it seems to me that we simply have too many people perpetuating the problem. Or is the issue really that more and more of our kids are growing up with anger management issues? Or, maybe nothing has really changed over the decades, but because of social media and technology everything has become magnified. I wish I knew the answer to this one as there is nothing ...

Not much more needs to be said besides "Welcome Back!!" It was so great to hear the voices of the kids and staff in our hallways this week. Seeing the smiling faces, the high fives, the hugs from friends that haven't seen each other much in the past 2 months, and much much more about opening day!! Throughout all of our buildings, the staff was eager to get back to work and it was evident. There was an overwhelming sense of team work as everyone worked together to help kids find their classes, open lockers, meet new friends, and get back in the swing of things. All in all, it was a great opening week. The challenge lies ahead as everyone knows that it's easy to get excited and energized for the start of something and the end of something; however getting from point 'A' to point 'B' is never as easy as desired. I encouraged our staff on Friday to keep the teamwork momentum going and I encourage the community to do the same.  There's no reason not ...

Well everyone, it's time!! The time has come for us all to set the alarm clock a little earlier, set out the clothes the night before, step out the door, and begin the next adventure. What lies ahead, nobody knows. But that's what makes education and school so great! Every day is a new adventure, just like pretty much every children's cartoon known to mankind. It's time to open our minds to new and creative thinking. It's time to be compassionate and understanding of our fellow school members (staff and students alike) and seek to be the best person we can be. It's time for learning, it's time for creating, and it's time for the impossible to become possible. As you begin your school year, try to remember that feeling of getting on the bus for the first time of the year. Or that feeling of walking into the class for the first time of the year. As adults, the world and memories are so different than what they probably were back then. With this new year...