The Principal's Perspective
September 14-18
Sooner than later the days will grow cooler and autumn will settle in (gasp!) It is, however, my favorite time of the year. My mind often drifts back to those late-September afternoons on Saturdays when I was child. Starting with cartoons and Capt. Crunch cereal and leading into fun where the daylight was still long enough for us to stay outside until dusk, and the crisp fall air brought fun slumber parties and dancing to John Cougar Melloncamp or Michael Jackson, or maybe sneaking away to watch Dirty Dancing .
One memory that stands out vividly in my mind outside of those things is bobbing for apples in my neighbor's back yard. I honestly don't recall seeing bright green Granny Smiths in those barrels, even though I’m sure my mom’s homemade pies were packed full of them. Instead, the barrel was always filled with dull red apples featuring a faint mosaic of lighter yellow and green flecks. I remember plunging my entire face straight into the cold water, chasing an apple as it bobbed down into the dark belly of the barrel. No matter how hard we tried, there was rarely a clean winner (nothing was clean about it)—we’d just end up soaked, laughing, and grabbing an apple with our hands after the barrel was poured out, running off to take bite after bite.
Looking back, it’s almost funny to realize how times have changed. I can’t imagine a parent today letting kids dunk their heads into a shared bucket of water, nor can I imagine a kid wanting to do it. Between drinking straight from rusty garden hoses and eating fruit everyone else had already tried to bite, it feels like a miracle we all survived it!
However, "When you know better, you do better" as coined by one of my favorite authors, Maya Angelou. We know that bobbing for apples is definitely not the way to go, even as much fun as it seemed to be. As we move into this new season, it’s a powerful reminder of our responsibility to guide the next generation using what we know to be true. What seemed harmless back then carries risks we now clearly understand (and have seen with our own eyes how quickly a virus can spread). Our role isn't to take away the joy of playing with friends, but to instill critical thinking, and awareness in our children. We want them to understand that even when something feels fun or thrilling on the surface, potential dangers can lurk beneath—and learning from past mistakes is how we grow wiser and keep each other safe.
Committing to doing better, leading with accountability, and keeping our scholars safe, informed, and supported is critical for their success. While they may not be bobbing for apples anymore they still engage in activities that they may not see as dangerous-vaping, meeting strangers on line, sharing locations, etc. Things they may see as harmless fun, because they can't see beneath the surface just yet, can significantly alter their lives. As the days will get shorter and the nights longer, let us continue to have conversations with our scholars about our expectations for safe behaviors. Reminding them that with every decision there is an outcome, with every outcome there must be a standard of accountability. So, while our scholars experience all the joys of the upcoming fall season, the chill in the air, and the changing leaves, let us always remind them of the importance of safe and appropriate behaviors coming before "fun behaviors."
From the Library
We are very excited that author Sharon Cameron will be speaking to the 7th graders on Thursday, Oct. 8th. This FREE visit is thanks to Booked. Please use this link to purchase your own personalized and signed copy of her newest book - Up From the Ashes.
Join Booked at Art Makers Outpost on Wednesday, September 16th for the launch of Very Far From Home. More details can be found here.
Safety Issue- Immediate Attention Required
Attendance Requirement and Attendance Plans
Daily school attendance is required by law for children ages 7–17. Caregivers are notified of any absences via automated phone calls, and real-time attendance records can always be monitored on PowerSchool.
Attendance Plans: An official attendance plan is required for any scholar who exhibits chronic absenteeism.
Incentive Eligibility: Scholars with chronic absenteeism who do not have an active attendance plan or those who violate the plan will automatically be ineligible for in-school incentives and incentive field trips.
Incentive Days Structure: On incentive days, non-eligible scholars will spend the time completing schoolwork and activities missed during their previous absences.
Thank you for partnering with us to ensure your scholar arrives at school on time, every day!
