Dear AMS F-A-M-I-L-Y (Students, Parents/Guardians & Staffulty),
I hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend, the unofficial end of summer. With the shorter week we had to jam 5 days of difference making into 4! Labor Day was established as a national holiday by President Grover Cleveland in 1894 during the Pullman railroad strike to appease labor unions fighting for better working conditions, increased pay and shorter hours. Our 3-day weekend was influenced by the Pullman strike and 19th century labor movement activists wanting acknowledgement for American workers' economic and social contributions. So my comments this week will center on the profound power of our influence.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines influence as, “The power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways.” Every day, in countless interactions at AMS we foster curiosity, shape minds, and build character. Our words, actions, and dedication resonate beyond the classroom walls, to our outdoor education program, influencing not just academic achievement and growth, but also the confidence, resilience, and aspirations of our students. We should never underestimate the immense, positive or negative ripple effects of our influence. Every conversation we have is an opportunity to influence, to move the needle, and make AMS better - the AMS Difference. Whether you are a student, parent, or staffulty, you have influence. Whether you have position power, or people power, you have influence. Your children, our students, are watching us adults for cues. They are being influenced by their siblings and peers too. Thank you for wielding your power of influence with care and commitment. It can change lives. I believe that.
Thanks AMS F-A-M-I-L-Y (Forget About Me I Love You) for being positive influencers, for being great. Enjoy this 2-day weekend, and let's get after it again next week, for a full 5 days. GO SKIERS!
Shine on,
Dr. Tom
Tom Dodd, PhD
#AMSAllIn #AMSF-A-M-I-L-Y #TheAMSDifference
