Opening milk cartons and discussing the hazards of lactose intolerance with seven-year-olds may seem less than entertaining to some. A few minutes at a lunchroom table with kids, a softball game where varsity seniors were in first grade when I arrived in Wylie, or listening to principals, secretaries, and teachers is not only useful, but the best part of my day.
When recognition of a teacher’s success or student’s achievement passes across my desk, I mark it down and make discussing it a part of my campus visit. On occasion, I will ask campus principals if there is someone who could use some encouragement or be recognized for an achievement of which I am unaware. These moments are priceless.
It’s been a challenging couple of years, and we are so grateful for our Wylie family that has done an amazing job of fostering hope in our classrooms. The great news is that there is plenty to be hopeful about in Wylie ISD. Academic achievement gaps from the pandemic exist; but, thanks to our amazing schools, they are half of the rest of Texas.
Despite falling behind, Wylie ISD sets the standard for our state and our region. With great teachers and amazing intervention strategies, our kids are catching up, the Wylie Way!
Beyond student academic achievement, our kids are literally everywhere on the planet, representing our school district with pride and distinction. From that Wylie Band marching in Ireland’s St. Patrick’s Day parade to the Pride of the East making days more magical in the Disneyworld parade, our kids are thriving.
My current COVID-19 dashboard reports only three positive cases out of more than 18,300 students and a few thousand employees. ONLY THREE POSITIVE CASES!!!!! This is great news!
Elementary students at Westside School in California recognized the need for providing encouragement and created a hotline for those needing a pep talk.
- “If you’re feeling mad, frustrated, or nervous, press one.”
- “If you need words of encouragement and life advice, press two.”
- “If you need a pep talk from kindergartners, press three.”
Currently, the “Peptoc Hotline” receives more than 9,000 calls AN HOUR!
Please understand that the struggle is real, but so are the great things around us. Our belief that tomorrow will be better than today and that we have the ability to make it better is the very definition of hope. Finding the good is essential to getting this world back on track. I believe that real change starts locally, with us.
MY CHALLENGE
My promise to you is that I will find the good all around me. Would you join me? If so, find a way to let someone know. Pay a Groves Gator a Chomp-liment! Write a note to someone and let them know you care. Call your mom and help her get Life360 back on her iPad so she can track you during the day (personal example).
BIG CHALLENGE
There are folks doing amazing things for our kids and community, and we have designed opportunities to “Find the Good” and recognize their efforts.
WYLIE WAY AWARDS
Nominate someone today for a Wylie Way Award. If they win, they receive their own video, banquet, and medal from the school board!
Wylie Way Awards Nomination Link
TEXAS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION STUDENT HEROES AWARD
The Student Heroes program recognizes Texas public school students in prekindergarten through high school who do an outstanding volunteer service that benefits their fellow students, schools, or their communities. One student from each of the 15 State Board of Education (SBOE) districts is recognized for this award. This needs to be a Wylie kid!!!!! The deadline is March 31st.
Aristotle defines developing character skills as everything you do, everything you think, everything you feel and say that results in something good for you and others. I believe finding the good is a strategy for building character and essential for fostering hope.
A few minutes at a lunchroom table listening to seven-year-olds discuss the perils of gas resulting from the consumption of dairy to finding the good all around us provides value to those we love and makes us feel better too. Finding the good in others, helps us find the good in ourselves, the Wylie Way!
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