Yesterday was the first day of school for the 2014-15 school year at OHS. A teacher laughingly said last week, "The kids are going to show up whether we are ready or not." Well, we were ready.All of the usual back to school jitters and excitement accompanied the 2000 plus students that came through the doors. Teachers were more than ready and received them with enthusiastic smiles and welcomes. The building had been lovingly prepped for their homecoming - squeaky clean, organized and invitational in tone. It was, and is, the perfect storm. When I used to dream of being a teacher, and then a principal, I always imagined being in a happy school with happy people - one in which all things good were possible and probable. That is how it felt yesterday - the shining moment of a school year beginning.
A friend of mine who is a principal in another state used to say, "The moxie of a school is tested in winter and proven in spring." I understand.
I wish I could bottle the positivity and hope that characterize the first few glory days of a school year. It is so tangible, one can almost feel it. Authentic school spirit, hope, forward-thinkingness - all of these become the modus operandi at the onset of school. I would love to keep it in reserve for the times in the year where energy and enthusiasm wane - you know, that period of time when no one can imagine the school year ever ending.
We have all been through those times in school - when everything is predictable and routine, when nothing is inspiring or fresh, when it is a matter of showing up and going through the motions. Studies on teacher resiliency and teacher retention have carefully studied the trends in teacher attitude. For veteran teachers, the dip in attitude happens in early November, with ebbs and flows throughout winter. For new teachers, the slide happens more gradually and later, often falling to a dangerous low in February. For students, it varies - dependent on grade, on academic achievement, on personal situations - but it happens.
The challenge is to sustain each other throughout the year. I know that we have enormous influence on one another and the way we perceive our work and our use of time. The goal is to inject enthusiasm throughout the year through our own conduct and through the subliminal messages we send with our demeanor. Also helpful is to design refreshing and inspirational school projects, initiatives and events during the times most notorious for being "down" periods. The point is to keep our "eyes on the prize" - student achievement, student learning, student growth - that happens daily, no matter the season. The tactic is to revel in relationship-building through the small moments that come from spending time with one another through familiar and comfortable routines we have created on a daily basis, in good times and bad.
Big plans for the Eagles - all year and every day. We need to value time - no matter the season - and not waste a second or squander any opportunity. Making the most of every moment is our mission, because graduation WILL happen, whether we are ready or not...
