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Dear Faculty and Staff,
Yogi Berra is quoted as saying, “You can observe a lot by watching.” That
quotation could be expanded by saying, you can hear (and learn) a lot by
listening.
I choose to take the opportunity to continue to visit in our schools and
briefly spend some time in classrooms. I sense the potential and desire to be
an exemplary school system. I saw our students and teachers working to prepare
for the February TAKS exams. As I visited each campus during the testing I
noticed a degree of confidence that students would do well considering that this
was the first time that we would experience the TAKS. Each campus has an
improvement plan in place. Plan your work. Work your plan.
I am gradually learning and working my way about the district. I have a
continuing goal of meeting with the faculty and support staff in small groups
from time to time. I hear concerns and needs. I hear good news. I hear
solutions being offered to concerns and needs. I talk with students when I can
and they have insights as well. High school students tell me about the
qualities of teachers that have made a difference for them throughout their
educational experience. Some of the quotes are: “Teachers that are animated at
times,” “teachers that work to make learning fun even when it is not,”
“teachers that are not behind the desk types,” “the teachers and staff members
that talk to you, that get to know you, they care about you.” Also mentioned
were teachers “that made me see what I could do,” “that made sure I learned…”
Most impressive was the comment, “…the teachers that challenge themselves
challenge us.” Students know when standards have been set and they know when we
care. A thank you is in order to many of our staff members that made the above
comments possible.
The legislature is in session in Austin. There is much commentary in the
news about school finance. Across the state, agencies were asked to cut their
budgets by 7% for the remainder of this fiscal budget year as state revenues are
falling short of projections. Many legislators and others with interest in
public school finance realize that something must be done that adequately and
equitably funds public schools. School finance is at a critical point. The
present finance system is estimated to be near 98% of capacity to generate
funding for the public schools of Texas. It is logical to predict that state
funding for public education may be reduced for the coming two years as state
revenues are short and Texas operates on a balanced budget. We need to
encourage our legislators in Austin to work together for a finance plan that
will fund education in Texas in a “fair” manner to provide for the children.
In closing, we choose our attitude each day. When choosing to be who you
will be each day, it is your choice to be awesome, magnificent, outstanding, or
world famous! Childhood is precious and children have much energy which comes
from play and having fun. Make learning and work enjoyable whenever possible in
a responsible way. Fun is energizing! Make your day a good day. Create
energy and goodwill! Find the way to make each other’s day. Give your full
attention to someone. When you do this, you have given the greatest gift you
have to offer, you have given yourself!
Sincerely,
Crawford Helms, Ed.D.
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