From the Desk of Mike Shukis
ATTENTION
The first thing we think of when we hear the word, attention, is when a teacher has to say something like, “Pay attention,” or “Are you paying attention?”. As educators we know that attention is a key component of learning, but it really is much more than that. Attention is a way for all leaders, parents, students, teachers, and administrators to better focus our energy. Where our attention goes, our energy flows. If we want something to thrive and grow, like our children, students, teachers, and school, we must of course pay attention to it. To begin, we must first look at one of the most important choices we will make and that is to decide what we want to pay attention to. It should be obvious that what we pay attention to will be determined by what we think about, by what we talk about, by what we write about, and by what we do. This also seems to be what the whole notion of being a role model is all about.
So where is Marian Central going to focus its attention? We know that the Bible says where your treasure is, there is your heart also. What we, at Marian, treasure is where we put our heart. Some authors have even said, where your attention is, there too is your soul. I like that, but the difficulty lies in what I call intermittent attention deficit disorder for leaders. This is when the world around us conspires to distract our attention and robs us of our focus. In regard to our attention, the larger environment can and will work against us at times, just like what today’s current events can easily do to our school. This is when we, at Marian, must continue to pay attention to our core values, our purpose, and the impact we have on our students.
Our focus and our attention must always stay positive, and we must continue to be authentic to the standards and core belief of who Marian Central Catholic High School truly is. We will continue to put our full attention to Marian as a College Prep Catholic High School that prepares our students for not only success in college, but also success in their faith for life.
Our focus will continue to be on becoming a school community of true brothers and sisters in Christ. Truth and Grace will walk hand in hand with every faculty/staff member, with every student and administrator at Marian. Grace upon grace will be our focus during these very distracting times.
Mike Shukis
Superintendent
