"The Hay is in the Barn"

As I write this post late Wednesday evening, the start of school is fewer than ten hours away. One of my college football coaches used to say on the eve of a game, “The hay is in the barn,” meaning that all the work had been completed. That is how I feel right now regarding the start of the 2011-12 academic year. Similar to the planning before a football game, all the preparations have been made here on campus, and we are ready to “kickoff” the school year. The buildings and grounds look terrific; I greatly appreciate the efforts of faculty, staff, and administration in preparing rooms, buildings, indoor and outdoor spaces, and accompanying plans and schedules. In my time here, I don’t think the overall classrooms have looked as great as they do right now in terms of the actual physical state of the classrooms coupled with the teachers’ decorations. We had a wonderful Pilot and Sixth Age "Popsicle Party" earlier today, and the enthusiasm from the students and parents was contagious. In fact, I do not think I will sleep well this evening...just too excited for the opening handshakes. Here we go!!

2011-12 Here We Come!

I hope that my readers had a summer full of enjoyment and rejuvenation. I had a chance to read, exercise more frequently, do some traveling, and plan for the rapidly approaching school year. Each summer, in mid-August, I get the "itch" for the school year to get started. Do not get me wrong--summer is wonderful--but I am ready. It is time. School needs to begin. Along those lines, the campus has been truly bustling with activity the past week. New teachers began their meetings on August 18, "veteran" teachers came back yesterday, and all-employee meetings commenced this morning. My remarks to faculty and staff centered on the importance of doing all the "little things" well and thoroughly, day by day, week by week, and month by month. We split into groups, brainstormed about crucial "little things" for each department, and then came back together as a whole group to share and to compare notes. I firmly believe that if we do all the little things well, then the overall goal of having an excelllent school year will take care of itself. It was a very productive morning, indeed. Meetings will continue through next Tuesday, August 30, followed by the Popsicle Party for Pilot Class and Sixth Age students on August 31. School officially begins on Thursday, September 1. I can't wait!