Holly & Jolly at Chehalis Schools
Dec. 14, 2023
Superintendent Message: The Gift of Ikigai (ee kee guy)
Earlier this year, I was asked by a fellow Twin Cities Rotarian why I had wanted to be a Superintendent. I answered quickly that it is my passion. Now, after hearing Dr. Kevin Fleming share at a parent event on December 5 at Chehalis Middle School I want to re-answer that question. I actually not only found my passion but I found my “ikigai”. Ikigai is a Japanese concept meaning “a reason for being”.
This concept means that a person has found their passion, their mission, their profession and their vocation. I am very fortunate to be able to say that my passion, my mission, my vocation and my profession intersect to become the reason I get up in the morning--my “ikigai”.
This (ikigai) is what we want for each one of our students as they begin kindergarten, walk across the stage to receive their diploma, and then choose and complete a post-secondary credential, apprenticeship, certification or military service. Our collective goal in the Chehalis School District is to help each student find their “ikigai”.
The holiday season is here and there are many preparations and traditions we engage in as families, friends, students, staff, and the Chehalis community. (You will see lots of photos below highlighting some of our secondary students engaged in holiday traditions and in next week’s communication about our elementary students.)
I encourage each of you to take advantage of the gathering of friends and family that is traditional this time of year. Use this time to help set our children on the path to finding their “ikigai”. Find moments to listen in conversations, ask questions and encourage them to explore new things and ideas. At family gatherings, share the work that you engage in and have conversations with them about what they love to do, what things they're good at and what type of careers excite them.
The greatest gift we can give our future generations is helping them find their “ikigai”.
Happy Holidays from the Moloney Family to you and your family.
So Much to Celebrate
The holiday season is a busy one in the Chehalis School District. Besides continuing with our academic successes, it's a season of exciting gatherings and opportunities for generosity for our students. Here are some of the happenings at Chehalis Middle School and W.F. West High School. Orin Smith Elementary and James Lintott Elementary parents, check in next Friday to see what your kids have been up to in December.