What do you do in the summer?

This is a question that educators are asked all of the time. "What do you do in the summer?" Well, the truth is that summer is busy, busy, busy. Today I visited Brewer Elementary and Clubview Elementary. At both schools the custodians were busy stripping and waxing floors, cleaning baseboards, and shampooing carpets. Believe it or not, a few teachers were around working in their rooms. Some teachers will be changing grade levels and they wanted to get a head start on moving to a different classroom; some just have to get their rooms set up! They have already been working on bulletin boards and arranging their rooms. Knowing that there will be only three pre-planning days, teachers will begin getting just a little antsy from about now until the the middle of July and they will begin showing up at their buildings, ready to get started. The classroom begins calling their names . . . !

I visited Academic Success Center today. Summer school was in full swing and students were coming and going between the two sessions. It was great to tour that old building - if only the walls could talk! I would love for us to be able to restore it to its original glory! Dr. Webb and I had a great conversation about the value of alternative programs and how important it is to save young people one at a time if you have to. They are worth the hard work and the expense!

But, back to getting ready for school to start . . .
Plant services and principals know that I expect everything to be in great shape on the first day of school. We should welcome our students back with freshly cut lawns, shiny waxed floors, clean carpets, great bulletin boards, supplies in place, and spotless restrooms. Every year we have to spend time reviewing the handbooks and reviewing the rules, but we should also begin teaching school on Day One! Schedules should be ready for implementation and we should hit the ground running! There may be a few changes during the first few days, but we do not have any time to waste. Our sense of urgency about the work that we do must be evident from the moment students walk in the door.

I can't wait for the students to return. A new school year is a new opportunity to make a difference and to help students reach their goals. August 6 will be here before we know it!