Back to School - Yeah!

Schools are not buildings, curriculums, and machines. Schools are relationships and interactions among people.               

(Johnson & Johnson, 1989)

Did you know that I love the beginning of school?  I honestly couldn’t sleep the night before the children came for their first day.  The smells of floor wax, new sneakers, fresh pencils and, of course, the familiar smiles are emotional signposts in my mind.  I missed being in school.  This is not to say I don’t love my summer vacation, I’m just really glad that school has begun.

I can tell that many of you are glad to be here, too.  Your energy, passion, and excitement is palpable.  Students were met at the classroom door with greetings and salutations.  The atmosphere was very pleasant.  The children loved their first week of school.  I also have learned that many of you had made calls home before the children even left the building on Thursday.  It goes without saying how appreciative our parents are for this simple act.  You welcomed these nervous and anxious parents into the AAK family.  Well done!

Building positive relationships with our students and parents is essential to our mission as educators.  This week, I participated in a Twitter chat with parents and educators nationwide and the consensus was overwhelming.  Schools that made relationship-building a priority excelled in almost all areas.  The results were touted, shown, and discussed during this chat.  As a point of Potsdam PRIDE, AAK’s practice of calling and emailing the parents with a personal greeting from our teachers was mentioned during this chat and it impressed many.  This small gesture forms the foundation for success.  We can build a strong structure on a good foundation.

While we continue to stress relationship-building with our students and parents, I’d like to encourage you to search for opportunities to practice the 100/0 principle with colleagues, co-workers, and family.  I’m confident that it will improve all relational situations. 

Good luck with this school year.  You’re off to a wonderful beginning. 

Be the light!