The Bird Call
December 2022
It's a Learning Experience
The end of the semester is just a few short weeks away. Students and staff are busier than Santa's elves, "wrapping" up projects, units, papers, performances, and much more. I get it, enough of the holiday puns...
Along with finishing the first half of the school year, we are winding down another year on the calendar. As we turn the page to 2023, many of us will inevitably begin reflecting on how we can make next year better than the last. Whether looking for ways to enhance your physical, mental, spiritual, or social/emotional life, the new year is frequently used as a springboard for change.
When I think about New Year's resolutions, I'm immediately drawn to the idea of willpower. In short, willpower is one's ability to control what you do or don't do. Not only does it measure how hard you are willing to work for the goal you have set but it also includes your level of restraint over your impulses. Can you find the determination to do what you set out to do? AND, can you practice self-control so that you are not distracted?
So, what stops us from fulfilling the promises we make to ourselves? It is not a stretch to say that the vast majority of us understand the purpose in the resolutions we set for ourselves or that our friends/loved ones set for themselves. They are universally beneficial to the individual and often those around them in their circle of influence.
I believe it comes down to two factors.
First, in general, we (humans) are unselfish and will often put the needs of others before our own. When faced with two choices such as going to the store to buy fresh produce for dinner or running an errand to help a friend, most would choose the latter. Which would likely lead to a stop at a fast food restaurant since you didn't have time to get your groceries. Correction, you had time... you just chose to prioritize someone else's needs over your own. You are a good person, way to go! But, at what cost? To be fair, there have been many times when I have committed to a change in my life, made a plan, and put all of the pieces in place to make it happen. But, when it came down to it, I genuinely was looking for excuses to sidetrack myself because ___________ (working out, eating better, reading more, learning a hobby, time in nature, journaling, etc.) is hard! Then, when I found something, I was able to convince myself that it just HAD to be the priority. "Well, I need to go to the gym but gosh darn it, those clothes aren't going to fold themselves!".
This leads to the second factor. It is the idea of motivation vs. discipline. Motivation is great. I am not "anti-motivation". It is an essential ingredient in being successful. If you don't want it, why would you pursue it? Pretty straightforward. The problem with motivation is that it is easy to be motivated when it is something you don't need to be convinced is worthwhile (i.e. New year's Resolutions).
**Side note, motivating teenagers is 100% about convincing them. If you can figure that part out, you are golden. Whether intrinsic or extrinsic, motivation for adolescents has to be able to answer the question: "Why? What's in it for me?"**
Again, the problem with motivation is that it is easy to be motivated. Without hesitation, most of us want to get in better shape, become deeper thinkers, spend more time with the people we love, or dive deeper into our greater purpose as we spin around this giant rock in a massive universe. Wanting to improve your life doesn't make you special (sorry). It does make you motivated, which is fantastic! The key to accomplishing any worthwhile challenge is discipline. Discipline turns wanting into doing. Motivation is a feeling that comes and goes. Discipline is taking action. Motivation comes from ambition or wishful thinking while discipline is born from willpower.
I can be motivated to go to the gym at 4:00 am. The night before, I can pack a bag, get my water ready in the fridge, set an alarm, and WANT to get up. But, when my alarm goes off and I start making excuses... "I didn't sleep as well as I had hoped", "I have that other commitment later and I don't want to be too tired", "It is raining/cold/foggy", etc... I still WANT to be in better shape, but my feeling of motivation has withered. This is where the presence of discipline is critical. If you only do what you know you have to do when you are motivated to do it, you are leaving it up to chance. Discipline is bypassing your feelings and doing what needs to be done, regardless of whether or not you want to.
When you are motivated to accomplish something, prioritize its value in creating the best version of yourself, and train yourself to be disciplined there is very little that can stop you. It is difficult and results will take time. But, it is worth it - that's why you were motivated in the first place.
Be disciplined and be selfish. You deserve it.
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. I hope you find the information helpful and, as always, if you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out.
Go Jays!
Joe Casey
High School Principal
Email: caseyj@cleverbluejays.org
Remind: Text "@clever9-12" to 81010
Twitter: @CleverPrincipal
Hickman's Happenings
Character Education in the HS
Our character word of the month for December is Perseverance. A Clever Bluejay that perseveres works hard and refuses to give up. They take responsibility for their own academic progress and think positively and believe they can achieve anything they set their mind to. They also show initiative in finding solutions for academic and learning problems.
A+ News
A+ Seniors: One of the requirements for the A+ scholarship is to score Advanced or Proficient on the Algebra I EOC or achieve a qualifying score on the ACT. We will offer the seniors a chance to retake the Algebra I EOC on Monday, December 19th. If your student has not met the A+ math requirement yet, I have given them a Study Guide for this EOC. I know some students are planning to take the ACT, but the EOC is another way to ensure that the math requirement is met. If your student needs help going through this study guide, the math teachers are willing and available to help, just reach out to them. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Hickman.
Spring 2022 Tutoring: If you have signed up for A+ tutoring in the spring, I will start working on teacher placement in December. If there is a particular grade level or teacher that you would like to work with, please let me know.
All A+ Students: A+ Status Reports will be put together at the end of the semester and emailed out to students in January. If a student is out of compliance, a report will be mailed home in January.
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is available as of October 1st. The earlier the FAFSA is filed, the better!
Students and parents should first set up a FSA ID: https://fsaid.ed.gov
File the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. This is a free website - beware of other sites which may charge a fee!!
If you need help filling out the FAFSA, you can check out a “Journey to College: FAFSA Frenzy” event. Public FAFSA Frenzy events
Male students that have turned 18 must sign up for the Selective Service System. Please visit https://www.sss.gov/ to register.
Counselor's Corner
Schedule changes are happening now. Students can change their schedules now through the first week of January.
Juniors and Seniors completed an ASVAB read in November. Students that took the ASVAB were able to do an interest survey and look at jobs that match their interests. They received login information for a site that helps them search careers that match their interests. The search includes, the training needed for the career, where they can get training for the career, how much money they will make within their career and much more.
Seniors - Please start looking for local scholarships. Scholarships are listed on the counseling canvas page.
November FAFSA completion contest winners:
$50 amazon gift card - Rylee Lansdown, Maddie Kime, Micheal Fitzpatrick, Avery Whitlinger
$25 taco bell card - Jenna Thomas
Bluetooth Tile - Grant Satterlee
Staff Proud!
Looking for more???
Absent Work & Re-Do Policy
Absent Work
The number of days allowed for making up/turning in work due to an absence will be equal to the number of days missed. For example, a student who misses two days of school will have until the end of the school day on the second day he/she is back to turn in missing assignments.
Assignments not completed within the allowed timeframe will be recorded as Incomplete ("I") and will then follow the guidelines for missing assignments.
Missing Assignments & Re-Do Procedure
All Formative and Summative activities not turned in on time will be recorded as an Incomplete ("I") in the grade book. This will be calculated as a zero in the student's overall grade. For assignments completed on time, the original grade will be recorded. Turning in incomplete work or re-doing an assignment will be allowed and the new grade will be recorded as long as the following timeframes are met. If the timeframes are not met, the grade will remain an Incomplete or the original grade will be the final grade.
Formative: Due no later than the beginning of class the following Tuesday*.
Summative: Due no later than the end of the school day 7 calendar days* from the original due date (missing) or the day the graded assignment was recorded in Lumen (re-do).
*If the final due date is a day that school is not in session (inclement weather, breaks, etc.), it will extend to the next day school is in session.
It is recognized that unforeseen hardships will arise which might result in the need for flexibility within this policy. In those circumstances, individual exceptions will be considered at the discretion of the teacher or building administration as long as the student or parent/guardian communicates in a proactive manner.
Eligibility Policy
Academic eligibility checks will take place once every three weeks beginning on the fourth Wednesday of each semester. If a student has two or more failing grades at the time of an eligibility check, he/she will be academically ineligible until the following eligibility check at the earliest. Ineligible students will not be permitted to participate in or attend any extracurricular activities. This includes all athletic events, clubs, and activities as well as attending any school-sponsored events outside of the school day, such as Homecoming or Prom.
Eligibility checks will take place on the following days during the school year:
September 14, 2022
October 5, 2022
October 26, 2022
November 16, 2022
December 7, 2022
*Eligibility will be reset on January 3rd**
January 25, 2023
February 15, 2023
March 8, 2023
March 29, 2023
April 19, 2023
May 10, 2023
2023-2024 PreK Information
If you or someone you know has a child that will turn three or four prior to August 1st, 2023 and you are interested in preschool at The Clever R-V School District for the 2023-24 school year, please submit the following form.
https://forms.gle/CWNoSQzwi2yecD318
This information will be used to contact you when we begin enrolling for preschool after the first of the year. Even if you aren’t sure about your plans for preschool, please go ahead and fill out the interest form so we can send you information related to enrolling. Current three year old families will need to fill out the form if they would like a spot next year.
Please contact Regina Gohr, PAT Supervisor, at gohrr@cleverbluejays.org, or, Chelsea Satterlee, Preschool Director, at satterleech@cleverbluejays.org or call our office at 417-221-7804 for more information.
Clever High School
Email: caseyj@cleverbluejays.org
Website: www.cleverbluejays.org
Phone: 417-743-4830
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clever-High-School-107961380555502/