Gratitude....

Today is the final official work day before the week long Thanksgiving break begins. It is a time that many people ponder what they are thankful and grateful for in their lives. The holiday forces us to have gratitude in the forefront of our minds but it can be so easily forgotten when we move past this holiday season. I remind myself as much as I can that I need to pause and reflect on the many things in my life that I am grateful for and that give me joy. My family is my core and without them I would not be who I am today. I value and appreciate what each person in my family has provided me throughout the years. Every interaction, both positive and negative, have helped to shape the daughter, sister, wife, and mother I am today.

What I do recognize is that life moves fast.....

We are all connected in the interesting framework of our world. We don't always recognize the importance of the moments we have with one another. Think about how much time you spend passing others on the sidewalk, in the store, at work.  Did you make the best of those moments? I know that I could do much more. Just a smile can make a difference.  Every interaction we have creates a ripple in our lives and that ripple carries out and touches others. The decisions we make on how we respond to the interactions we have is what is so important. Do we respond with positivity and spread that light?? Or do we respond with anger or negativity and spread that darkness??

I am truly grateful for where I am at this moment in my life. I am grateful for everyone that has been a part of my life even if only in a minor way. I am grateful to be alive and to have an amazing husband and two beautiful girls. I am grateful for my parents and my siblings and my nieces and nephews. I am grateful for my friends.

The Next Six Weeks

This is an exciting time. We have six more weeks until the end of first semester. Each school has the opportunity to take advantage of this time to work on improving student outcomes. Think about the positive school culture you would have if all of your students passed their classes first semester! Think about how encouraged and motivated each student would be to persevere and try even harder next semester. When we feel success we are more creative, motivated, and energized to keep going.

As school leaders I challenge each of you to use every minute school is in session for the next six weeks to improve outcomes for ALL of your students. Final semester grades are permanent and despite what any student might say, they are important to them and impact their futures.  Don't wait for students to fail!! Progress reports were done last Friday, use those to identify students that need targeted help and respond NOW so that each student has an opportunity to show what he/she is capable of. Don't discount anyone, each student can improve.  However, students can't do it alone. Struggling students need caring adults to respond and support them to overcome any barriers in the way.

Each secondary admin responded to a reflection prompt at yesterday's level meeting. "In September you completed an LCAP Gap Analysis to determine if your SPSA was in alignment with the LCAP, in October you reviewed progress report grades and MAP results to determine student needs and develop your actions. It is now November and you have six more weeks until the close of First Semester. Please reflect on your progress of your actions you identified in September and October. Are there any changes you need to make for November to improve your student outcomes?" Don't let that be a moment that passes you by. Take what you said to heart and use it to fuel your actions for the next six weeks. Trust me, your students will be grateful that you did!!

We must graduate every FSUSD student and ensure that they leave FSUSD college and career ready!  Inspire, Engage, Excite, Lead, Foster, Create, Empower!!

Continue to be innovative, creative, and a model of excellence!!

Defeat, Support, and Being a Caring Adult...

I have written blog posts in the past regarding "failing forward." I do believe at my core that we learn from our failures.  I also do believe that we become more and more resilient to adversity as we encounter new challenges along our journey of life.

However, despite the ease of of writing and talking about failing forward and being resilient, there is a different feeling of angst when someone you love dearly is handed a major blow or let down.  In some ways it is harder  to see your loved ones go through heartbreak as you have no control over the situations and yet you want nothing but happiness for them.  I believe our role as adults is to provide encouragement, stability, and love through the difficult times.  I am blessed to have two girls that I can support and love through their many trials life will bring their way.

Let's all pause for a moment and think about all the students that will walk through our doors today and tomorrow.  What potential heartbreak or adversity did they endure the day/night before?  Did they have the luxury of having a caring, loving adult in their home to provide them reassurance, love, and support? Some of our students would be able to answer yes, but others are not so lucky and are reliant on themselves to get through the challenging times.  Please think about each of your students INDIVIDUALLY as you welcome them to school each day. Take the time to Know Their Face, Know Their Name, and Know Their Story.  It is our OBLIGATION and our mission to support EVERY student.  We must treat ALL students with Respect and Dignity. We also have the obligation to support them, meet their needs, and ensure they leave our schools better than when they entered.

We must not forget our work and our purpose. We are here for the STUDENTS!!