Happy Summer

It is quiet on campus. My students left first, then my teachers, then my counselors, and now my APs. My secretary and I are the only ones left. The phone seldom rings, and there are very few emails to answer. I am loving it! I have quiet moments to reflect on this past year--the good, the bad, and the ugly. I have the opportunity to plan for the new year and make DMS a better school for all stakeholders. I love June--it is a time for quiet reflection and big dreams. Of course, come July, I begin to miss everyone, and I long for them to return. By August, I am going stir crazy, and I am counting the minutes until the kids return. However, for right now, I am enjoying the quiet---the peace---the time to reflect. Happy Summer everyone---I hope you have the means to rest, rejuvenate, and reflect. I'll see you all in August!

Out of the mouths of babes....

One of my teachers came to share an experience she had with a group of our students today in a club meeting. The students and the teacher engaged in a conversation about stereotypes and diversity. The teacher shared with me that our students did not see "color" when it came to the faculty and students at Deerpark. They discussed our No Place for Hate attitude, and they explained to the teacher how there are no tables of "color" at lunch---kids from all races and backgrounds sit together and are friends. The teacher asked some of the African American kids if it made a difference to them if their teacher was African American, and our students replied, "No, it only matters if the teacher is good and cares about us!" Our students never cease to amaze me with their wisdom. Deerpark is a special place with great kids---our future looks bright! :o)

May the odds be ever in your favor...

With the release of the highly-anticipated movie, The Hunger Games, based on the book with the same title by Suzanne Collins, we have been celebrating all week at DMS. We hosted our first ever "DMS games" mimicking the reaping, the tribute parade, the elimination rounds(non-violently, of course), and the proclaiming of the district winner! It has been a fantastic week at DMS, filled with a renewed love for reading as students flock to the library to check out this great book. I am so proud of my librarian and staff for creating an event that was both meaningful and entertaining for our students! :o)

Wicked

Last night I had the opportunity to attend the production of Wicked at the Bass Concert hall with almost 300 Deerpark community members. The show was fantastic, but what really impressed me was the dress and decorum of our students. They all looked beautiful, and they were mesmerized by the show. The students acted as true ladies and gentlemen, and I am so proud of them. We had a fantastic evening. :o)

The Digital Generation

If a genie miraculously appeared and told me he/she would grant me three wishes, my first wish would be to be able to eat as much chocolate as I want and be a perfect size 6!
My 2nd wish would be that I would have the ability to transform schools from being replications of industrialized white-middle class schools into places of
21st century centers of learning for all kids. I would get rid of schedules and bells. I would rid this place of the notion that learning only occurs within the 4 walls of a classroom. I would create centers where students create projects and seek out the learning that they need to successfully complete that project. Every child would have a laptop with a scanner and a camera and a printer and a smart phone and the software needed to make computer games, videos, and 3D models. It is a tragedy that we can not give our children the tools they need to engage them in the learning that will need to be successful in the future. Our schools still function the way they did 50 and 60 years ago--what has really changed? Parents often ask me why I don't just change the system--if I envision it, make it happen. Well, I can go into the political reasons, but that is another blog post. The main reason is that people are afraid of change. Parents rely on schools as "babysitters;" what would happen if kids only needed to be on campus 2-3 days a week and the rest of the time, they need to be in libraries, or museums, or doing field research? What options can I give kids for discovery and community learning when we must have class order and schedules? What I can do is teach my teachers how to teach to this generation, but until society expects schools to change, they won't.
However, what would my 3rd wish be? World peace, of course! :o)

What to write?

I haven't blogged in awhile because I feel that my creative muse has abandoned me. I haven't been inspried to write about anything. The weather is so abnormally warm for January-February, but I find I love the spring-like temps, so I don't want to complain. My students are taking a "mock STAAR test" today for math, but I don't want to get on my soap box about state testing. My staff has hit the February blues, but it is to be expected (much like Shocktober!) So, I guess I will simply report new items. 1) I was accepted into Texas A&M for the fall semester to begin my PhD. I am very excited, and I can not wait to share my learning and implement it at Deerpark. 2) Our band is preparing to auditon for MidWestern---which is a huge celebration if we are selected. 3) Theater and Choir are preparing for the school musical--I have no idea what it is--I really need to ask. :o) Okay, I am being boring, so I am going to publish now and pray that my muse returns soon! Have a great week!

Bad Weather Moods

This morning, I took my 5 year old niece to school. It was pouring down rain, 50 degress, traffic was awful, and I was extremely stressed because I had an 8:00 parent meeting for which I knew I was going to be late. As I was waiting in the mile long line to pull into the school, I saw a crossing guard stopping traffic to allow kids to cross the street. She was in a rain poncho, had an umbrella, but her feet and slacks were soaking wet. I felt sorry for her having to be out in the bad weather, but as I watched her, I noticed that she was smiling and laughing with kids and parents. As she gave some kids "a high five" and waved at passersby, shouting "hello--how are you today," I couldn't help but think to myself that this woman loves her job. It didn't matter that it was 50 degrees outside, pouring down rain, and traffic was awful---she was happy, smiling, laughing, and treating kids as if it were a glorious sun-shining day! I thought to myself--this is the attitude that I need to convey everyday to my parents, teachers, and staff. I could be having the worst day--a child sick at home, and angry parent waiting on my doorstep, a child who was hurt on the playground, poor benchmark scores, and too many kids in the AP office, but the fact is---I love my job, and I need to show that to everyone. I need to treat every day--even the rainy, cold ones--as if it is the best day of my life. I truly believe in positive energy, and if we as a community can bring positive energy into our lives, then our school would be great places to be everyday! I wish you all the spirit of happiness, positive joy, peace and love this holiday season. Merry Christmas to everyone. :o)