The Riverwalk Roar

Happy Sunday, Pride!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Forecasts had us bracing for rain, but I’m glad the meteorologists missed that one. And speaking of weather predictions, I’m also relieved it doesn’t look like we’ll need an eLearning day anytime soon, since that system in the Atlantic seems to be taking a sharp turn due east, away from us.

This weekend, a parent of a 9th-grade student shared a photo from what looked like a father–son fishing trip, where the son landed a 20–30 pound Red Drum. It was an impressive catch! I told them what an awesome memory it will be for years to come, and it reminded me of my own fishing trips with my dad that I still cherish today.

That simple exchange got me thinking about the difference between everyday routines and the moments that stay with us forever. Some are planned, like a graduation, a birthday, or yes, even a fishing trip, but often the most powerful memories sneak up on us. They’re found in a spontaneous laugh in the hallway, a word of encouragement at just the right time, or a trip to PW’s Ice Cream after a tough loss.

About a year ago, our admin team read The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath. The authors explain that our most memorable experiences, the ones that have an extraordinary impact, usually share one or more of four ingredients: Elevation (they break the script and rise above the everyday), Insight (they shift how we see ourselves or the world), Pride (they celebrate effort and achievement), and Connection (they bring us closer together).

What strikes me is how much influence we have in creating these moments, for our students, our colleagues, and our families. It doesn’t take grand gestures. Sometimes it’s pausing to recognize someone’s hard work, celebrating a small milestone, or daring to add a little surprise to an ordinary day.

As we head into the week, I encourage each of you, parents and staff, to ask yourself: What moment can I help create that someone might carry with them long after the details of the day are forgotten?

Routines may fade, but moments last.

Lions, I hope you all have a wonderful week. As a reminder, this Friday is an early release day and we’ll be on Fall Break during the week of October 6th.