Matt's Monday Memo
April 15, 2019
Good morning all.
Friday afternoon saw many teams in competition, and I had the good fortune to see a very competitive game between our varsity baseball team playing another top area club from Lindbergh. Late in the game with a 1-0 lead, senior John Porthouse boldly stole home on a very crafty pitcher and collegiate-bound catcher. This play is rare, as evidenced by MLB career leader in stealing bases Ricky Henderson stole home just 4 times in his 23-year career, and overall, MLB witnesses it less than 2% of all stolen bases being at home plate.
Stealing home is a play of equal parts audaciousness and good fortune. However, there is a bit more behind the heroics of Friday’s game. John by all accounts has demonstrated himself to be a good student in his time at WG and likely knew the likelihood of completing the play against a left-handed pitcher (indirect view of base runner on third) with a slower delivery, two outs in a one run, late innings game, his own speed on the bases, and having a right-handed batter to obstruct vision and play of the catcher. As Louis Pasteur noted, “Chance favors the prepared mind.” Clearly, John’s understanding of the circumstances and his or his coach’s analysis fostered the boldness of the play and potential to have a favorable outcome.
As a secondary school, we cannot know our students' destinations, yet we can “prepare” their mind. The prepared mind has the ability to observe, make sense, arrive at decisions, and act across a complex environments. Allowing them deeper learning opportunities that permit them to seek greater understanding, partnerships, and relevance will undoubtedly allow them the tools to navigate circumstances they will encounter. I was able to witness student work in Mrs. Rodney’s room after late Friday afternoon in a multi-genre project that was an immersion in the student being an “intentional communicator.” The topic she worked on was of significance to her and was the medium for reflective work that allowed her to think about her identity, ideas of fairness, and the vulnerability needed for growth. Circumstances don’t often endure, but competencies we have created and the intentional preparation around them will in the evolving conditions that lie ahead.
Best,
Matt
Peek at the Week
- April 15: Band Awards, 6 p.m.
- April 16: PD Discussion
- April 17: NHS Induction Ceremony, 7 p.m., Auditorium
- April 18: Staff Meeting, 2:50 p.m., PV Commons
- April 19: WGHS GSA Day of Silence
- April 19: Top Hat Awards, 7:15 a.m., Auditorium
- April 19: EOC 2-4-6-1
Celebrations
Congratulations to Evelyn Trampe for being selected by her peers as the Class of 2019 Commencement Speaker! Also, Congratulations to Nicolaus Braun and Zoe Schultz for being selected as name readers at graduation, and Nakailah Shields-Robinson, Barrett Light, and Ray McIntyre for being selected as the emcees for Senior Awards Night.
Reminders/Announcements
Just reminder that we have EOC exams beginning April 19. Please pay close attention to the schedule.
- Please become familiar with the cell phone policy during EOC week. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education does not allow cell phones to be present in the testing room. Students should leave their cell phones at home or in their lockers during the testing window. Teachers will be collecting any phones that are brought into the testing room. Per DESE regulations, if a cell phone is visible or sounds during testing, the student in question will have their EOC scores voided/canceled.
- Reminder that we have a PD Discussion on April 16 and a staff meeting this Thursday at 2:50 p.m. and on Friday at 7:10 a.m. (for coaches or those who cannot attend on Thursday).
- Please remember to submit work orders for the 19-20 school year at the end of this school year so that the custodians and maintenance staff can complete them over the summer.
Upcoming Professional Development
- April 16: PD Discussion
- April 18: Staff Meeting