The Cardinal Way
Sharing and Learning at Southport High School
WELCOME TO THE 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR
Leading and Learning: SOMEONE'S LIFE DEPENDS ON IT
I came across a post I wrote a few years ago and felt if it was relevant to share again. Enjoy!
A few weeks ago, I read a short article from a motivational speaker. The speaker discussed how he stays so engaged each time he speaks. When speaking, he states, he operates under the assumption that at least one or two of the people in the room are actively considering taking their own life. He wants to lead and mentor as if hearts and lives are on the line, because he believes they truly are.
As a school administrator, and former classroom teacher, I believe that education is the vehicle to change our world. Providing a child with a quality education opens doors to endless possibilities. Unfortunately, this works the other way as well. If we cannot help students find value in learning or overcoming their circumstances, their life’s path will be greatly altered for the worse. But do we: lead, learn, teach, care, empathize, push ourselves, and educate with this level of passion? Do we look at our students each day with the assumption that today may change the student's life? Do we come in each day with an enthusiasm to change the world for the better? Do we teach each day like each child’s future and life depend on it?
I feel like these are questions we need to consider as we start a new school year. I hope we all come back with an untamed spirit to attack each day like someone’s life depends on it. If each of us can charge ourselves this year to have limitless love, gratitude, and an unmatched mindset we can change our students lives forever!
Here are a few questions I am going to keep on my desk each day so I can look at them on a regular basis.
Are you leading today like someone’s life depends on it?
Are you treating each interaction with students as an opportunity to change their life?
Did you find time today to show students and staff they matter?
What did you do today to improve the quality of someone’s day?
In my time serving as a principal, I have found the following statements to have a resounding truth.
What you say matters.
What you do matters.
HOW you do it matters the most.
Treat each day of the upcoming school year like someone’s life depends on it!
Keep learning; keep growing; keep sharing!
Schedule for July 22nd and 23rd
July 22nd:
- 8:30: All Staff Township Meeting - Southport Fieldhouse
----- All support staff will meet in the SHS Auditorium for a Township Support Staff Meeting. This meeting will immeidately follow the Opening Day meeting in the Fieldhouse
----- All Certified Teaching staff will meet in 267 following the Opening Day meeting. We will try to begin by 9:30, unless the township meeting lasts longer than expected.
- 12:00: Lunch on your own
- 1:00-2:00: Department Meetings - Department Chairs will designate a location (use time as needed for your individual department)July 23rd:
- 8:15-8:45: All staff meeting - Auditorium- Remainder of the day to work in classrooms or offices
- 12:30-1:30 the National Guard will be providing 165 McAllister's Lunch for our staff. They will be in the main hall by the Athletic office. It will be first come first served.
Proud to #BeACardinal
A new school year presents opportunities for various beginnings – a new school, new classes, new faces, sometimes new courses, and often new materials. Summer, and vacation, can be a great time for rest and renewal. As we approach the opening day, I hope the end-of-year pressures of May seem trivial as you anticipate the possibilities of the upcoming year. I am excited excited about what happened in the classrooms, offices, and on the playing fields and stages during my first year serving as principal at Southport High School!
I look forward to I look forward to year two as we serve our diverse community by developing independent thinkers who excel in an ever-changing world. The achievements over the past year clearly are not due to complacency and satisfaction with the status quo. One does not have to be here long to see a dedicated staff with a common goal, to do what is best for students. Success at SHS truly is a team effort by a dedicated staff, eager to help students grow in all aspects of life. I am eager to work with each of you this year as we concentrate on the processes that spur continuing advancement: (1) evaluating what we have, (2) determining what we can do to improve, and (3) identifying what we need to do to make those improvements.
Teachers, you are the most valuable asset we have in producing quality students that are prepared for the challenges of the next phase of their lives. Yet, teachers cannot do an effective job without a great support staff meeting the needs of the students, parents, and the faculty. I want to thank the custodial staff, secretarial staff, and administrative team for their hard work over the summer months as they have worked diligently making preparations so we are ready for students on July 27th. SHS has a bright future because of each of you!
I am proud to be a Cardinal!!
What it takes to Be A Cardinal!
Thank you to:
- the front office and guidance office staffs for taking care of numerous parent and student questions and concerns as we prepare to start another school year!
- our custodial staff. The building looks amazing!
- guidance office for getting all students enrolled and have schedules to start the year
- Amy Boone for balancing numerous classes in the final days of summer!
180 Days of Learning -- #CardsLearn
Educational Humor
Southport High School
Website: http://websites.msdpt.k12.in.us/sh/
Location: 971 E Banta Rd, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Phone: 317-789-4800
Twitter: @SHS_Cardinals