In Mathew, Mark and Luke there is a story of how Jesus walked up to Mathew and said two words, "Follow Me". Mathew reacted as any of us would if Jesus said "Follow Me" he got up and followed him. What he did next is what is most exciting, yet also what many of us fail to do. Mathew took the next step.
In many of these stories the next verse goes on to say that Mathew invited Jesus to dinner with other "tax collectors" some Bibles may say "other scum", or "other sinners." Mathew was a sinner, he associated with sinners, just like all of us. We are all sinners and we associate with other sinners. Mathew had the courage to follow Jesus like many of us have when he called us. But more importantly Mathew had the courage to invite him to dinner with his non-believing friends.
To put it into modern day terms ... Jesus walks up to a drug dealer on the street and says follow me. The drug dealer does, but that night the drug dealer brings Jesus to dinner with all his other drug dealing friends. He wants to share what he has just received with other sinners.
Mathew didn't wait until he got to know Jesus a little better, he didn't study his bible a little harder, he wasn't afraid of being made fun of by his friends, he didn't care if he was called a Jesus freak. He stepped to the front of the room, and introduced his honored guest. I pray that I would have this same boldness, and I pray that all of you will as well!
Who are you inviting to dinner?
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Obama's Team Visits BHESA
REALLY? I'm still flabbergasted that President Obama selected a committee to study the status of the arts in education and the committee chose our school as one of the schools to visit. I don't pretend to think that this means we have arrived, but I have allowed myself, as you should too, to reflect on the journey we have had.
5 short years ago we set out on a journey to make our school rich with the arts. From the minute people stepped into our building I wanted them to know that there are exciting, enriching and engaging activities happening at our school. I believed that these three E's would lead us to our fourth E - Excellence! We are so close to that designation. I can feel it at the end of my finger tips and with just a little more stretching we will be able to hold it in the palm of our hands.
Yesterday's visit by Mrs. Goslins and her committee reaffirmed the great job our teachers, students, parents and leadership teams at all levels have been working very hard for. We have said that the arts will provide our students with an attitude about school that will change their outlook about themselves as a student throughout their young lives. We were right, listening to our students respond to the questions asked by White House Representatives we all have so very much to be proud of. Their answers could not be measured on bubble sheets or as a number printed on the front page of our newspaper. No... our success is in the attitude and belief that each of these children have a sense of pride, and ownership of their education, they love our school, they love their teachers, and they love each other. The arts culture has replaced the inept feelings our students used to have in the old fashion way school was being done.
Although not all of us had the opportunity to visit with Mrs. Goslins and her committee, I want you all to know that she was thoroughly impressed by our school, our students, our teachers, our community partners, and our central office team. She remarked to the students that she would loved to have gone to a school like ours when she was a child. Delayed flight scheduled prevented us from getting to all the rooms, and the script we had written was totally abandoned. Despite these circumstances the visit was a huge success and another jewel was added to the crown we all share!
Great Job BHESA and thank you for all you do!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Grandparents Week
In sticking with tradition I wanted to write this week about my Grandfather. Why you ask? Every school year at BHESA we recognize our Grandparents by having our students bring in the grandparents for breakfast, they then visit our book fair, and visit classrooms. Today was no different. However, I did get to share with them the exciting news about our 100 year celebration, plus a newspaper from 1936 that had a photograph of the graduating class from BH in 1936. There were 19 students in that class. Anyway onward!
Labor Day weekend I went to Tonawanda, where I grew up to celebrate my father's 60th birthday with him. He was born September 3rd, 1950. This was a special trip as my father didn't know my family was coming, he was really surprised when we all jumped out of the back bedroom at my brother's house. The great thing about this trip is that there was nothing really planned. Nothing touristy for my kids, no picnics, parties, or other people to see. What happens when we have no plans are often the most special times. Our families played games, went fishing, and visited a small park not far from where I grew up. What does this have to do with my grandfather you ask?
It was on Saturday, when we went fishing that it started to click with me. I started to notice the man my father has become since he has retired and started down some new roads in his life. He is now the rock my aunts and uncles lean on to take care of grandma, he is a loving husband who looks after my Mom everyday, he is also the grandfather that I adored so much. There's a great country song titled, "I'm seeing my father in me" I'm not sure who sang it, but it is resonating with me from our weekend get away. I can't help, but see how much my Father is like my grandfather was. This weekend he taught my kids things they had never done before, a board game, how to bait your hook, how to play long and short in basketball, how to make your time with your family memorable.
My memories of my grandfather are so vivid, we shared a lot of special times together, playing games of cards, fishing, boating, eating, laughing, all of these are held close to my heart and I think about them often. The memories came flooding back this weekend and I'm proud to see the legacy he has left for this extended family of ours. I can't help, but think of my Grandfather and what he must have been thinking 60 years ago when my Dad was born. I wonder if he carefully thought out all the things he would teach his new born son. I know he is looking down from heaven and is very proud of the man my father has become. He is proud of a son that loves his family, that loves his country and loves his friends. Did he have a plan to teach him all this? I doubt it. This is who my Grandfather was as well. This is who my Dad is now, this is who I pray I will be one day. The legacy will continue.
I pray for the strength to teach my son Nick all the things that my grandfather taught my dad, and that my dad has passed down to me. I pray that he will grow up to be the man that my grandfather was, who my dad is, and who I hope to be one day. I hope one day he will show his grandson how to shoot a foul shot, and ask him those words that I so loved to hear when I was a kid, "wanna go fishin?"
Happy Birthday Dad! Miss you Gramps, and Love ya Nick!
Love Always,
Your son, Your Grandson, Your Dad,
Mike
Labor Day weekend I went to Tonawanda, where I grew up to celebrate my father's 60th birthday with him. He was born September 3rd, 1950. This was a special trip as my father didn't know my family was coming, he was really surprised when we all jumped out of the back bedroom at my brother's house. The great thing about this trip is that there was nothing really planned. Nothing touristy for my kids, no picnics, parties, or other people to see. What happens when we have no plans are often the most special times. Our families played games, went fishing, and visited a small park not far from where I grew up. What does this have to do with my grandfather you ask?
It was on Saturday, when we went fishing that it started to click with me. I started to notice the man my father has become since he has retired and started down some new roads in his life. He is now the rock my aunts and uncles lean on to take care of grandma, he is a loving husband who looks after my Mom everyday, he is also the grandfather that I adored so much. There's a great country song titled, "I'm seeing my father in me" I'm not sure who sang it, but it is resonating with me from our weekend get away. I can't help, but see how much my Father is like my grandfather was. This weekend he taught my kids things they had never done before, a board game, how to bait your hook, how to play long and short in basketball, how to make your time with your family memorable.
My memories of my grandfather are so vivid, we shared a lot of special times together, playing games of cards, fishing, boating, eating, laughing, all of these are held close to my heart and I think about them often. The memories came flooding back this weekend and I'm proud to see the legacy he has left for this extended family of ours. I can't help, but think of my Grandfather and what he must have been thinking 60 years ago when my Dad was born. I wonder if he carefully thought out all the things he would teach his new born son. I know he is looking down from heaven and is very proud of the man my father has become. He is proud of a son that loves his family, that loves his country and loves his friends. Did he have a plan to teach him all this? I doubt it. This is who my Grandfather was as well. This is who my Dad is now, this is who I pray I will be one day. The legacy will continue.
I pray for the strength to teach my son Nick all the things that my grandfather taught my dad, and that my dad has passed down to me. I pray that he will grow up to be the man that my grandfather was, who my dad is, and who I hope to be one day. I hope one day he will show his grandson how to shoot a foul shot, and ask him those words that I so loved to hear when I was a kid, "wanna go fishin?"
Happy Birthday Dad! Miss you Gramps, and Love ya Nick!
Love Always,
Your son, Your Grandson, Your Dad,
Mike
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
First Day of School
The night before school in the Harvey Homestead,
Lily already sleeping, for once in her own bed.
Nick talking to mommy about third grade,
Reading, Writing and the A’s to be made.
The summer is over how quick it all went,
The beach, Peru, time with family, and lots of money spent.
Back to our routine, a 6 am start,
Breakfast on the way to school, love those pop tarts.
The book bags are packed, paper, crayons, and other supplies,
New friends to meet, and schedules to memorize.
Hard to believe that Nick’s in grade three,
And Lily in grade one, our little teacher to be!
Homework, projects, conferences and PTA
Back to the race of 180 school days.
Three short years ago our school was brand new.
In all the schools in North Carolina Rea View was number two.
The teachers at Rea View will make 2011 better than 2010,
With such dedication nothing short of excellence will happen.
Tomorrow we start, teachers get your rest
Get ready Rea View tomorrow we send you our best!
Lily already sleeping, for once in her own bed.
Nick talking to mommy about third grade,
Reading, Writing and the A’s to be made.
The summer is over how quick it all went,
The beach, Peru, time with family, and lots of money spent.
Back to our routine, a 6 am start,
Breakfast on the way to school, love those pop tarts.
The book bags are packed, paper, crayons, and other supplies,
New friends to meet, and schedules to memorize.
Hard to believe that Nick’s in grade three,
And Lily in grade one, our little teacher to be!
Homework, projects, conferences and PTA
Back to the race of 180 school days.
Three short years ago our school was brand new.
In all the schools in North Carolina Rea View was number two.
The teachers at Rea View will make 2011 better than 2010,
With such dedication nothing short of excellence will happen.
Tomorrow we start, teachers get your rest
Get ready Rea View tomorrow we send you our best!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
First Days
Tomorrow is the first day of school of the 2010 - 2011. There is an energy present at the beginning of each year that I wish we could bottle up and save for those days when we grow weary. Adults are motivated to take students further in their learning they have ever thought possible. We believe that our students will run through the walls for us, that they will come to school each day excited about what their teacher has to tell them and share with them.
Students will also come in tomorrow filled with curiosity. What will my teacher be like, who will be in my class, what time is lunch and what time is specials? How much homework will I get and will my teacher like me. They believe they will reach the honor roll each marking period, they will ace each test, they will be the one their teachers call on and praise for getting the answers correctly.
Parents will be excited their children are no longer telling them they are bored. They will be encouraged by the first impressions and communications this years teacher shares with them. They will encourage their children to do what the teacher tells them, do their homework, read each night.
Yes this bottle of energy would be very valuable in February and March. To save all of these things and pour it on our partners when we feel defeated, when the hours seem like days, and the days like weeks.
My wish for each of us tomorrow is that we will remember what today feels like and that each day when we come to school we have the same energy that we have tomorrow. Capture the energy, capture the excitement, and use it to engage and enrich your school year this year!
Students will also come in tomorrow filled with curiosity. What will my teacher be like, who will be in my class, what time is lunch and what time is specials? How much homework will I get and will my teacher like me. They believe they will reach the honor roll each marking period, they will ace each test, they will be the one their teachers call on and praise for getting the answers correctly.
Parents will be excited their children are no longer telling them they are bored. They will be encouraged by the first impressions and communications this years teacher shares with them. They will encourage their children to do what the teacher tells them, do their homework, read each night.
Yes this bottle of energy would be very valuable in February and March. To save all of these things and pour it on our partners when we feel defeated, when the hours seem like days, and the days like weeks.
My wish for each of us tomorrow is that we will remember what today feels like and that each day when we come to school we have the same energy that we have tomorrow. Capture the energy, capture the excitement, and use it to engage and enrich your school year this year!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Welcome Back!
June 28, 2010
Dear Staff,
In a few short weeks we will open our doors again and welcome the 734 students that call our building their school. One day, like you and I often do, they will think back to the days that you have planned for them and remember things one of two ways. They will reminisce with smiles about the friendships they gained or wish they could relive the year with you all over again because of the inspiration you gave them to do their best and be their best no matter what the challenge is. They will remember you more than what you taught them. They will remember what you stand for and sometimes what you fell for. Most importantly they will remember that you cared for them.
On that first day, and hopefully each day after, they will walk into our rooms eager to learn, eager to please, and ready for the challenges that you put in front of them. Those first few days will set the tone of how your year will go. I know that each of you have been thinking about what has gone well for you in the past and what revisions you will make in those first few days of school this year, remember this race is not a sprint, but a marathon, be consistent in your delivery, be creative in your planning, and be caring in each one of your interactions with each student. Work hard in those first few weeks to establish that relationship with each student and create a positive home-school connection with their parents. A friend of mine said recently that parents are quick to forgive when you make a mistake if you have worked to involve them, and see you as more than their child’s teacher. Reach out and make your daily routine one that involves the parents of your students. I promise you will see great results when your students know you care about them and their parents do as well.
Last year we launched a campaign to increase the structure, consistency, while accepting no excuses. This was a great initiative and we saw great results in the performance of our students. The growth we made at each grade level was higher than I have seen in a very long time. These gains were in no doubt attributed to the hard work you put forth each and every day, the consistency you showed and the attitude that no matter how difficult the task, excuses would not be accepted. We will continue this campaign and also build on it. I am convinced that the greatest difference we can make in our school starts with the teachers, and furthermore, it starts with the first teacher each student has. Our focus will remain on early intervention, but more importantly making our K, 1st and 2nd grade teachers the best teachers our school and our system has to offer. We cannot afford for our students to come to 3rd grade unprepared to meet the challenges that current legislation puts on them. We will be working very hard in team planning sessions and professional development sessions to share the expertise and knowledge that so many of our staff members have at how to help students learn and the best pedagogy we can offer our students every day. This will be an endurance challenge, but one that I know many of you are ready for!
We will be spending our first workday together on July 20th. We will be meeting at the PDC and beginning our morning session at 8:00. There will be light refreshments served for breakfast, as well as a full lunch. Please plan to be there all day, however if we end early the building will be open for those that wish to come back and work.
We will spend a portion of our day working on the new Teacher Evaluation Instrument for North Carolina Public School Teachers. We will share our test data and review our school improvement plan, we will begin to set new goals for our school as well as define the shared mission and vision we have for our school of the ARTS. This day is sure to be filled with our mantra for this year: “Engagement, Enrichment, and Excitement”. This is something I want to challenge each of you to be thinking about for this year. Since the majority of our time will be spent on the new Teacher Evaluation Instrument, Teacher Assistants will not be required to attend. We would like for all staff members to join us for lunch and fellowship at 11:30.
How can you turn up the engagement? Will you use the arts, movement, technology, more group discussion, less teacher talk, more student questions than teacher questions, more student talk than teacher talk, more of what they know and less of what you know? Why do we spend time memorizing facts when we can find it on Google, how will you teach your students to be thinkers, problem solvers, and leaders for this rapidly changing world?
How can you make each learning experience full of enrichment? Will you show your students things they have never seen before, read those things they have never heard before; will you explain to them and let them discover the wonders of numbers, words, and science? Will you put the pencil down and enrich them in the arts and challenge their thinking beyond the regurgitation of facts? These are the things that will get us the greatest results on any assessment piece. Challenge your students to be thinkers by enriching them in a classroom that ignites their imagination and creativity.
Lastly, how will you get your students excited about school? How will you keep them tuned in when they enter your room that is already 20 times slower than the world they live in? Will each day be like a field trip day, will each day be filled with an excitement of who they will meet, or who they will get to talk to on another side of the world? Will you make your classroom the exciting place where learning happens because your students race to your door to see what the day holds for them? Excitement comes from enlisting the resources that others hold. Take that lesson you have done for the past five years and ask one of our essential teachers to assist you in making it exciting, watch the difference in what your students will be able to do at the end of the year.
For now though, let your excitement be the chance to enjoy a good book, a chance to watch your son/daughter or grandson/daughter run through the sprinkler, the opportunity to tend to the garden, the peace of swinging on the front porch, walking the beach in the morning, hiking the path up the mountain, playing a game with the family. Let your engagement be nothing more than a nap on a hot day. Let your enrichment be the chance to visit a place you never have before. These are the things that will help to prepare you for the challenge of another school year. This year’s challenge is the challenge that you were chosen for, the challenge that you are here for, if there was somebody better for the job I would have asked them, you are who we need, you can provide what we need, and together all of us will continue to meet the needs of those 734 students that will run through our doors excited to meet you on that first day of school, enriched with the hope of a new school year, and engaged in the opportunity to start it all over again!
Respectfully,
Dear Staff,
In a few short weeks we will open our doors again and welcome the 734 students that call our building their school. One day, like you and I often do, they will think back to the days that you have planned for them and remember things one of two ways. They will reminisce with smiles about the friendships they gained or wish they could relive the year with you all over again because of the inspiration you gave them to do their best and be their best no matter what the challenge is. They will remember you more than what you taught them. They will remember what you stand for and sometimes what you fell for. Most importantly they will remember that you cared for them.
On that first day, and hopefully each day after, they will walk into our rooms eager to learn, eager to please, and ready for the challenges that you put in front of them. Those first few days will set the tone of how your year will go. I know that each of you have been thinking about what has gone well for you in the past and what revisions you will make in those first few days of school this year, remember this race is not a sprint, but a marathon, be consistent in your delivery, be creative in your planning, and be caring in each one of your interactions with each student. Work hard in those first few weeks to establish that relationship with each student and create a positive home-school connection with their parents. A friend of mine said recently that parents are quick to forgive when you make a mistake if you have worked to involve them, and see you as more than their child’s teacher. Reach out and make your daily routine one that involves the parents of your students. I promise you will see great results when your students know you care about them and their parents do as well.
Last year we launched a campaign to increase the structure, consistency, while accepting no excuses. This was a great initiative and we saw great results in the performance of our students. The growth we made at each grade level was higher than I have seen in a very long time. These gains were in no doubt attributed to the hard work you put forth each and every day, the consistency you showed and the attitude that no matter how difficult the task, excuses would not be accepted. We will continue this campaign and also build on it. I am convinced that the greatest difference we can make in our school starts with the teachers, and furthermore, it starts with the first teacher each student has. Our focus will remain on early intervention, but more importantly making our K, 1st and 2nd grade teachers the best teachers our school and our system has to offer. We cannot afford for our students to come to 3rd grade unprepared to meet the challenges that current legislation puts on them. We will be working very hard in team planning sessions and professional development sessions to share the expertise and knowledge that so many of our staff members have at how to help students learn and the best pedagogy we can offer our students every day. This will be an endurance challenge, but one that I know many of you are ready for!
We will be spending our first workday together on July 20th. We will be meeting at the PDC and beginning our morning session at 8:00. There will be light refreshments served for breakfast, as well as a full lunch. Please plan to be there all day, however if we end early the building will be open for those that wish to come back and work.
We will spend a portion of our day working on the new Teacher Evaluation Instrument for North Carolina Public School Teachers. We will share our test data and review our school improvement plan, we will begin to set new goals for our school as well as define the shared mission and vision we have for our school of the ARTS. This day is sure to be filled with our mantra for this year: “Engagement, Enrichment, and Excitement”. This is something I want to challenge each of you to be thinking about for this year. Since the majority of our time will be spent on the new Teacher Evaluation Instrument, Teacher Assistants will not be required to attend. We would like for all staff members to join us for lunch and fellowship at 11:30.
How can you turn up the engagement? Will you use the arts, movement, technology, more group discussion, less teacher talk, more student questions than teacher questions, more student talk than teacher talk, more of what they know and less of what you know? Why do we spend time memorizing facts when we can find it on Google, how will you teach your students to be thinkers, problem solvers, and leaders for this rapidly changing world?
How can you make each learning experience full of enrichment? Will you show your students things they have never seen before, read those things they have never heard before; will you explain to them and let them discover the wonders of numbers, words, and science? Will you put the pencil down and enrich them in the arts and challenge their thinking beyond the regurgitation of facts? These are the things that will get us the greatest results on any assessment piece. Challenge your students to be thinkers by enriching them in a classroom that ignites their imagination and creativity.
Lastly, how will you get your students excited about school? How will you keep them tuned in when they enter your room that is already 20 times slower than the world they live in? Will each day be like a field trip day, will each day be filled with an excitement of who they will meet, or who they will get to talk to on another side of the world? Will you make your classroom the exciting place where learning happens because your students race to your door to see what the day holds for them? Excitement comes from enlisting the resources that others hold. Take that lesson you have done for the past five years and ask one of our essential teachers to assist you in making it exciting, watch the difference in what your students will be able to do at the end of the year.
For now though, let your excitement be the chance to enjoy a good book, a chance to watch your son/daughter or grandson/daughter run through the sprinkler, the opportunity to tend to the garden, the peace of swinging on the front porch, walking the beach in the morning, hiking the path up the mountain, playing a game with the family. Let your engagement be nothing more than a nap on a hot day. Let your enrichment be the chance to visit a place you never have before. These are the things that will help to prepare you for the challenge of another school year. This year’s challenge is the challenge that you were chosen for, the challenge that you are here for, if there was somebody better for the job I would have asked them, you are who we need, you can provide what we need, and together all of us will continue to meet the needs of those 734 students that will run through our doors excited to meet you on that first day of school, enriched with the hope of a new school year, and engaged in the opportunity to start it all over again!
Respectfully,
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