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Can You Feel It?

When I was a middle school principal, we often hosted visitors to our school. One of the best compliments I ever received from them was about how the school "felt". Time after time, people were impressed with the interactions they had witnessed and would ask me how we created that culture. When pressed to quantify it, I 'd cite student attendance rate, teacher attendance rate and discipline data. But, I was always missing concrete data for how it "felt". Eventually, I gave up trying to quantify it and relied on the impressions and feedback from those within our school and those coming to visit. I was (and will always be) proud of the climate in that school. 

 Earlier this week, my sister in law took my nephews to their Kindergarten Orientation. I happened to notice what she wrote on Facebook, "Going to be an exciting year for these two!! They have great teachers, and the atmosphere here is comforting!!!"  There it is again. That feeling...from a Mom's perspective now.
My Nephews, Alex and Brody : Class of 2029

Last night, I wore my Mom hat as I accompanied my son to his Freshman Orientation. I've been working in schools since 1992 but somehow that didn't really help me as I entered the auditorium as a parent. I suspect my feelings were similar to what other parents were feeling. It's the same worry. It's High School. High. School. (No idea how we got to high school this quickly!) 

As I listened to presentations throughout the night and interacted with teachers and administrators from the building, my worry lessened and lessened. By the end of the night, I had nearly none! 

Learning about academic expectations, digital citizenship, and even about what after school
clubs and groups he could join was incredibly helpful. Yet, beyond that learning, the interactions with members of the staff provided so much more. I listened to teachers and realized I was gaining much more than information. I was gaining hope for a new school year. 

I could hear and feel such heart and compassion when I listened to members of the high school faculty and administrators. Surely, that was not the intention of Freshman Orientation but it was certainly an outcome. I might even argue it was the most important result of the evening.  I was impressed and relieved all at the same time.

My son on the left, Class of 2020, learning the ropes from a Class of 2019 Member

That's a pretty incredibly feeling as both a Mom and an Educator.  Here's to a wonderful school year for everyone! 




Forever Young, Rod Stewart

May the good Lord be with you
Down every road you roam
And may sunshine and happiness
surround you when you're far from home
And may you grow to be proud
Dignified and true
And do unto others
As you'd have done to you
Be courageous and be brave
And in my heart you'll always stay
Forever Young, Forever Young
Forever Young, Forever Young
May good fortune be with you
May your guiding light be strong
Build a stairway to heaven
with a prince or a vagabond
And may you never love in vain
and in my heart you will remain
Forever Young...

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