Walk Around. At the close of last week, long after our students left on Friday afternoon, I had a chance to make my rounds of the WHS building and reflect with many teachers on the week that was: our first full week of the new school year.
The themes that were echoed again and again were of exhaustion, and elation.
Exhaustion. It had been a long week, one of NWEA testing for Grade 3-5 students (thank you Mrs. Bergman and Mrs. Plourde), more Project Adventure experiences with Mr, Kramer and Miss Babcock, the beginning of the DARE program with LPD Officer Michelle Cardinal, a fire drill with special visitors from the Laconia Fire Department, indoor recesses, extra classroom and duty coverages, fledgling teacher practicum students from Plymouth State University, the beginning of Project Extra, Ward 5 voting at WHS (with bag lunches in the classrooms), the first WHAVE meeting of the year, the first common cold wave, and so much more.
There is more activity, and more work done by more people at your child's elementary school than you could ever imagine. Your teachers expend more physical and emotional energy in a day, than many professionals do in a week. The talent and drive necessary to skillfully lead a diverse group of children to a happy and successful week, maintaining the physical and emotional safety of all every second of the day, attaining high academic standards, and continuously meeting the demanding expectations of parents and supervisors, are nothing short of remarkable.
WHS teachers are very good at what they do. Often they are better than they need to be, because they care so much about their students. It has not been at all uncommon to have a teacher forego a break, step up to fill a coverage, design a unique activity, cover a needed duty, or develop and share a better way of doing something at our school. In short: seize an opportunity to make the day better for our students, and make the school better for everyone.
By the way, when I write about 'teachers', I am not just talking about classroom teachers, I am speaking collectively about all of our amazing staff (custodians, kitchen staff, paraprofessionals, interventionists, specialists, secretaries, volunteers, foster grandparents, etc., etc.) -- everyone on the WHS Team. These people are always stepping up to do things that they don't have to do. They step up, even when no one is watching. They step up because they know that when they do, the school is better, and that is good for kids. I have only been in your school for a few weeks, but I can tell you without hesitation, that you are fortunate to have your child attend Woodland Heights School; a school that is very good now, and is only going to get better in the time ahead.
As has been said a number of times already in my correspondence to parents, we hope that you will partner with us and get on the WHS improvement train. As with all of the the staff members I had alluded to earlier, your contributions to the school and the quality of your child's education can be enormous in our school's ongoing improvement intiative -- your focused effort and sustained commitment will undoubtedly make a world of difference for your child and her/his future. Your child has only one childhood, as we did. Why wouldn't you make it the very best it could be? Material things are cheap, and diminish in value over time. However, your quality time, and personal investment in your child: priceless!
Elation. Did I mention it was Friday afternoon??
Seriously, the feeling of pride and accomplishment among the people I visited that afternoon was unmistakable. Not only had they done some pretty fine work which challenged them in many ways, but they also may have realized (I think) that the many new WHS students and staff members were going to work out just fine. Everything was going to be O.K. What a relief!
Wrap-Up. That should do it for now. I'd like to thank everyone for their ongoing support and contributions which have made our school start-up go so very well so far this year. I'd like to especially thank all of the parents who have been patient and safety-minded as they come to the school at either end of the school day. We really notice and appreciate our parents who have come to understand how important it is to 'follow the rules of school' and do all that they can to have arrival and dismissal run smoothly and (most of all) safely for our students and staff.
So long for now. I hope that you and your family have a fabulous week!
Warmly,
Dennis Dobe
