Update from Mr. Cox – Leadership

Hello Spartans!

It is hard to believe that we are almost done with our first full month of school… man, how time flies! It has been a pleasure getting to be around all of you again, and we thank you for an awesome start to the school year. I wanted to especially thank each of you for how well you have welcomed the Class of 2020, our students who transferred in from other schools, and our foreign exchange students. Your kindness and character shine in your actions, and they are a large part of what makes our school so wonderful.

As we enter October I wanted to take a moment to remind you that we will be pulling grades for your iSpartan placements on Thursday, September 29. Please make sure that you are touching base with your teachers if you have questions about your grades. The new placements for iSpartan will begin on Tuesday, October 4. Your homeroom teachers will share your new placements with you on Monday, October 3 and Tuesday, October 4.

To Infinity and Beyond
Dan Hutcheson via Compfight

You may have noticed that September’s trait of the month is leadership. The Spartan Way is more than a clever phrase, it is a set of principles that guide our interactions, and leadership is an important part of ‘Doing What’s Right’. Great leaders hold themselves accountable to doing what’s right even when no one else is watching, and because of that others are inspired to do the same. Great leaders treat others well, and those actions make others feel comfortable and valued in their presence. Great leaders don’t give up, even when things get tough, and they encourage those around them to keep trying even when life gets tough. Great leaders are role models, and each of you have the ability to be leaders. Leadership is trait that requires doing what’s right because those who inspire us to action are those who do what is right… and great leadership inspires us to be the best that we can be. The most important thing to remember is that all of you are a leader to someone… a peer, a younger sibling, a cousin… there are people all around you who look up to you, and that is something that you need to take very seriously. Are your actions ones that you would be proud of if others who look up to you followed?

I challenge each of you to be leaders, and to make a difference in this world. Each of you have it in you to do great things, the question is whether you will find ways to get the job done, or make excuses for why it was not possible. Great leaders find a way to do what is necessary to get the job done. Be leaders… live your life in a way that draws others to you… treat others well, do what is right, and refuse to give up – even when things are tough… by doing those things, you will be a leader that others will follow, and you will be able to hold your head high knowing that you are making a difference in this world. Keep rockin’, Spartans!

Volunteer Opportunities:

  • Please see the attached document for volunteer opportunities at Blue Ball Elementary. Directions for how to volunteer are found in the attached document: need-for-volunteer-hours-sign-up-sheet-2016
  • ELANCO Public Library: contact Ms. Means at kmeans@elancolibrary.org if you are interested in volunteering at the ELANCO Public Library
    • Facilities Volunteer: Help set up and cleanup programs. Monday evenings from 6:00 pm-7:00 pm
    • Technology Volunteer: Assist patrons in using the computer. Must have knowledge of email (google, yahoo or Hotmail), Microsoft Word Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Adobe (PDF). Times for this position are flexible.
    • Extraordinary Give, November 18th 2016: Need: 4-5 students to help set up program (3:00-4:00 pm) , 4-5 students to help cleanup program (8:00-9:00 pm). 3 students to help facilitate program. (4:00 pm-9:00 pm)

Have an awesome Wednesday!

Elias M. Cox

Assistant Principal
Garden Spot High School

Thoughts from Mr. Cox – January 4th

Good morning Garden Spot!

I hope this message finds you having had a wonderful and relaxing break! Mr. Sanger and I have missed you, and found ourselves waiting anxiously at the front doors on several mornings during the break only to be disappointed by the realization that you were not returning yet… but our disappointment will be replaced with joy as we again get to be in your presence! Thank you for always bringing a smile to our face. We are excited to get to usher in the new year with you, and look forward to an awesome 2016!

There were two topics that were consistently on my mind over the break that I thought I would take a minute to write about… I hope you’ll take a minute to read them.

Helping HandThe first is the importance of having compassion for those around us. Compassion is being able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, to give them the benefit of the doubt, to give them grace when they may not seem to deserve it, and to treat others well regardless of how they have treated you. It is important to recognize that there are many around us suffering hardships, and how we treat them can help make their situation better, or add to their hardship. Compassion includes going out of your way to be nice to that person who is difficult to be nice to, or standing up for that person who others pick on. Compassion is so important, but is often ignored because of our need to defend ourselves after having been wronged. Compassion is deciding to treat everyone around you well regardless of their actions. Compassion is recognizing that others around you may be suffering or going through some sort of misfortune, and being able to treat them in a way that can help them keep their head up as they maneuver through it.

The second is the importance of being generous with what we have. Some have money to give, some have talents to share that can make others smile, and some are able to offer their time to do things for those in need. Regardless of how you can help, giving of yourself to help those around you in need is so very important… not only does it make you feel good about having done something nice for another person, but it also helps to build a community where people know they have others they can rely on. Being generous teaches us to care about others, and to place their needs above our own.

My hope for our school is that we will continuously grow in our compassion and generosity, making sure that those who are hurting and in need always know that they are important here, and that we will lift them up in their time of need and not tear them down. I have been inspired by the compassion and generosity of our staff and students here at Garden Spot, but am confident that we can continue to improve. My challenge to you is to find someone who needs compassion and make it a point to speak kindly to them when others may not, and to give of yourself weekly to someone who needs your help. If each of us make it a point to do this for one person each week, imagine the difference it could make… be a source of good in the world that surrounds you, and work to make this place better when you leave then it was when you arrived.

You all make my life better, and I hope that during our time together I am able to do the same for you.

Here’s to an awesome 2016… You rock!

Mr. Cox

Assistant Principal
Garden Spot High School

Thoughts from Mr. Cox – November 9th

Good morning Garden Spot!

Reminders:

Seniors will be returning to their homerooms for days 5-10 of the upcoming cycle in order to present their Service Learning Projects. All other students will be in iSpartan placements based on their final quarter 1 grades. Juniors and Seniors will receive new placements for the cycle that begins on December 2, 2015. I was not sure I was going to be able to make this work, so your teachers had been told that all students would be returning to homeroom for the upcoming days 5-10, but I was able to figure out how to make this happen.

Teacher Spotlight:

This week I’d like to spotlight a teacher who has brought her passion for life to our school. She is involved in GSPA, brings her personal experiences into the classroom, and leads the LEO club for our school. LEO is a community service club that has been helping to make our community better. Through their efforts with a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society last year they were generously given Hershey Bears tickets to give to the students and staff at our school. Ms. Barnett has been a tremendous addition to our staff, and works tirelessly both in and out of school to assure that each of you and the larger school community receive all that you deserve. If you have had Ms. Barnett in class, or are a member of the LEO Club, thank her for her efforts in making Garden Spot great. If not, thank a teacher you have or know that is making a meaningful impact in the lives of your peers.

Personal Challenge:

GigglesWhen things are tough, you need to keep going. The other option is to give up and decide to let life keep you down. If you want tomorrow to be better, you need to do things that will make it better. Most things in life are out of your control, but there are some things that are within your control. Treating people well, paying attention and doing well in school… those two things are things you can control, and if you do them a little better, tomorrow will have one less worry and a chance of being a little better. If you do not take the steps to improve in those areas, then it is unlikely that tomorrow will look any better.

Another important factor in making tomorrow better is to do things that you can be proud of, and to focus your attention on the things that are good in your life. If you think there is nothing in good in your life, then it is time to do things that introduce good into your life… see the paragraph above. If you choose to dwell on the bad, and ignore the good, then your days will grow worse and worse as you dwell on the bad. Conversely, if you look to the good, even in bad times, it will help you keep a positive mindset that will help you through the tough times. Find those things that are good, do things that will bring good into your life, and focus your attention on those things. This is the best way to make tomorrow a little brighter. If you take care of business, and focus on getting your priorities in line, then there will always be good that you can look to in tough times. It doesn’t make the tough times any easier or less painful, but it gives you hope that eventually the tough times will pass and a brighter tomorrow will emerge.

I have often said to students in my office that when life seems bad you need to do things that have a chance of making it a little better. If you do not, then it is unlikely that tomorrow will be any better. When life gets tough it is not uncommon for people to stop taking care of the little things that really matter, and as they stop taking care of those little things they begin to feel overwhelmed life. As the burdens of life pile up, not taking care of those things you can control only contributes to the weight you feel on your shoulders. I challenge you to persevere in doing the things that you know have a chance of bringing about a better tomorrow, knowing that it is those things that will help bring you through the tough times in your life.

There is a saying that I like to use when talking with people about starting down a new path to success and a positive future; the best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago… the second best time is today. The same is true of charting a new course for your life. Now is the time, today is the day. Decide to start doing the things you know need to be done to help assure a positive future. You can do it… I believe in you, and you deserve it.

Have a great week!

Mr. Cox

Assistant Principal
Garden Spot High School

Thoughts from Mr. Cox – October 26

Hi everyone…

My last post was about perspective, and I have received quite a bit of feedback about it. I want to share a link that I received that confirmed the need to keep perspective as we maneuver through life. Mr. Kevin Rupp is the speaker, and many of you will likely recognize him because he works in our school building.

I would encourage you to finish reading this, and then find some time to watch the video. My heart is saddened for this family, uplifted by their message, and humbled at their courage to share. As a father of five, I cannot imagine their experience… It is, and always has been, my hope that my words might give someone in need the strength to carry on, and this story has provided me with strength to persevere in the face of tough times.

Please take seriously the reality that there is enough pain and suffering that we cannot control, to be a part of creating hurt and pain that you are able to control is such a shame. There have been several instances over the past few weeks where I have had to deal with students treating other students poorly, and I am very disappointed in that. I challenge each and every one of you to be a person that lifts others up and does not tear them down. Be a person who creates a bright spot in the day of everyone you come in contact with. Be a person who helps others through their pain and suffering. Remember that more often than not you do not know who is going through a difficult time, which is why it is so important to treat everyone you come in contact with well. Be a part of making this world better, not of adding heart ache and headache to a world that is full of so much that is out of our control. Control what you can, and be a person that matters in the lives of those around you.

THE SPOTLIGHT:

  • This week I would like to thank a few people for their hard work over the past few weeks. A special thank you to Mr. Houpt and Miss Chvotzkin for their work in making this year’s homecoming dance a great event, and to the class of 2018 for their efforts as well. I would also like to thank our Student Life club for their work with the pep rally. It was a great homecoming week for sure! I would also like to thank our Student Assistance Program team members for their work on setting up red ribbon week activities, and their desire to help our student body as they maneuver through the difficult time that is known as our teenage years. Thank you to all of you for pouring your heart and soul into making our school and community better.

REMINDERS AND UPDATES:

  • It is important that you understand that we expect you to keep your hands to yourself. There has been an increase in students playing a silly game called the slapping game, or some variation of that. If you lay your hands on anyone other than yourself, you can and will be held accountable for it. Saying you were just joking if it was unwanted physical contact will not be an acceptable response.
  • The end of the quarter is this Thursday. Make sure you take care of any loose ends so that you finish strong. Your quarter 2 iSpartan placements will be based on your final quarter 1 grades
  • If you have a pass to go somewhere, please report to your assigned location first so that they can sign your pass. Just having a pass does not mean you do not need to report… the teacher you are to report to does not know you have a pass and will report you to the office as skipping class because you never reported.

Have a great week Spartans! You are AWESOME!

Mr. Cox

Assistant Principal Garden Spot High School

Thoughts from Mr. Cox – Homecoming Week!

Good morning Garden Spot, it is a great day to be a Spartan!

Thank you for always being a ray of sunshine in our lives… it has always been interesting to me the propensity I have to dwell on the things in my life that are not as I wish they would be. I have found that to enjoy each day I need to take a moment to consider all the things that I do have. In a world where a large portion of the world’s population live without heat or air conditioning, without fresh water, without hot water, and with the need to work each day just to get something to eat… not to buy a phone, a car, a video game console, a pair of shoes, etc… I find that reminding myself of how lucky I am to have those things helps to keep perspective and get me out of a negative mindset. They are things that we often take for granted, but having access to those things allow us to be upset about things that in the big picture of life truly do not matter. If you have little food and water, you tend to not get upset about the little things because there are much more pressing issues in your life.

Updates/Reminders:

  • The end of quarter 1 is rapidly approaching, and I encourage you to be sure that you are touching base with your teachers regarding your grades and what can be done to improve them if they are not where you want them to be. If you are keeping your grades up, I encourage you to finish the quarter strong. Please remember that your quarter 1 grades will be used for quarter 2 iSpartan placements for days 5-10. Ninth grade students will begin placements during quarter 2, and will no longer be returning to homeroom.
  • October 14, 2015 – PSAT / Challenge of the Classes – All Juniors will be taking the PSAT’s. If your parents have updated the Student Information Portal, you are permitted to report after PSAT testing for our Challenge of the Classes (you will need to report by 11:00 am to your homeroom). If they have not, you are expected to report to school by 7:32 am.
  • October 16, 2015 – Pep Rally (Modified Schedule)
  • October 17, 2015 -Homecoming Dance

Teacher Spotlight:

  • This week I would like to spotlight all of the support staff we have in our school. Our classroom aides, custodians, office assistants, cafeteria staff, technology department, and all other support staff are truly the best of the best. They come to work every day and pour themselves into making our school a better place to be for each of you. It may be easy to overlook their importance because they often work behind the scenes, but without them this school would not function. Take a moment this week to thank them for their role in making Garden Spot a great place to be, and for contributing to the positive environment that has been established here.

Personal Challenge:

Train Tracks
Image from Flickr

Life is like two parallel train tracks, not a series of peaks and valleys. Often it feels like when things are going well, everything is going well… or when things are going bad, everything goes bad. That is rarely the case though. In the midst of the really bad times, there is good, and in the midst of the really good times there is bad. Hence the two parallel train tracks. Both good and bad will always be present in your life, your ability to enjoy each day will be determined by which track you decide to ride on. If you ride on the bad, it will consume your mind and you will be unable to see the good. Interestingly enough, if you ride on the good it will not mean that you are not hurt or bothered by the bad, but it helps to keep it in perspective.

An important part of keeping life in perspective is also an ability to acknowledge the areas where we were wrong, and go about doing what it takes to make them right. Say you’re sorry when you need to say you’re sorry, and assure that you treat everyone you come in contact with the same way you would want to be treated. If we conduct ourselves in this manner it reflects selflessness, integrity, respect, a pursuit of excellence, personal accountability, and compassion – these character traits are all part of the Spartan Way, and are traits that, if applied to our lives, will provide a greater likelihood of enjoying our interactions with each other on a daily basis.

Understanding that life is a matter of perspective is important, and I challenge you to consider all of the things that you do have… you make our lives better, and you are one of the many things that put a smile on our face each morning.

Rock the day, and enjoy the week ahead!

Mr. Cox

Assistant Principal
Garden Spot High School

Thoughts from Mr. Cox – September 21

Good morning Garden Spot!

As fall approaches I find myself in awe of the little things that make life great. I absolutely love this time of year, with the leaves changing colors and the temperatures becoming a bit cooler. This is also the time of year when the sunrise is occurring during my morning commute to work. Watching the sun rise on the horizon as it’s light peaks through the trees and fog that often spreads over the fields of Lancaster County in the early morning has a way of putting a smile on my face before I even arrive at school… and then I get to see all of you and my satisfaction with life grows even more! Take the time to enjoy the things that are free for all of us to enjoy. Put down your cell phones for just a few minutes and really watch as the colors of the morning sunrise spreads across the skies… watch the colors change and the darkness turn to light… it is hard to not enjoy that time if you really just slow down and take the time to watch it.

Reminders:

This Thursday, September 24, the ELANCO Health Council will be hosting a Family Movie Night behind the tennis courts in between the two softball fields. The showing of Big Hero 6 is free and will begin at 6:45 pm. This is one of my favorite movies, and I would encourage you to enjoy an evening outdoors and take advantage of this opportunity. There will be concessions available during the showing. A giant thank you to the Health Council for their efforts in arranging this event.

Teacher Spotlight:

This week I would like to take the opportunity to spotlight a teacher who has been dedicated to this district for many years. She believes in the students she teaches, and cares deeply about their success. If you have ever had the privilege of having her as a teacher, you are undoubtedly better for it. She pushes every student in her classes to reach greater heights than they have ever reached before, and unlocks in them a confidence that they can achieve at a greater level then they ever thought possible. If you have ever had Ms. Martin as an English teacher, you understand how true these words are, and you should take a moment during this week to thank her for caring enough to push you to be the best you can be. If you have not, think about the teacher who came to mind as you read the opening to this paragraph and make sure they know how appreciative you are that they believed in you even when you may have been doubting yourself.

Personal Challenge:

Relationships with those around you matter, and how you treat them matters. If you have a life full of drama it is likely the result of broken relationships, and only you have the ability to change that. I often speak to students who have constant conflict in their lives and they think that everyone else is the problem. It is important to realize that if you have conflict with others on a regular basis it is likely not all of them that are the problem, but rather something in how you respond to them. While those who need to hear this message most will likely brush it off, the reality is that relationships are a two way street. You have the power to determine how you respond to those who mistreat you, and how long to hold on to the wrongs they have committed against you. You have the power to determine whether or not to get upset about every little thing that happens, or to learn how to let it go. And you have the power to gossip about those who have wronged you, which keeps the drama going, or to take the high road and let it go.

fpx032110-06

You cannot control the misery of others, or their desire to cause conflict in your life, but you certainly can control your response to it. Let them drown their days with bitterness and conflict, but choose not to let those things conquer you. If you engage in the same things that you claim to be so upset about, then you are inviting their drama and problems into your life. Life is so much better when you make the decision to treat people better than they deserve. As you do that you find that people respond to you better, and your day to day is more enjoyable. As you do that you find that less people have a reason to treat you poorly, and because of that you experience less drama in your life. You also find that you become a person who others look to as a role model, and with that comes a great deal of pride.

As you move through the coming weeks I challenge you to try… just try to be a person who treats everyone well. Don’t talk about others, don’t talk back to others, don’t engage in the back and forth that makes things that are not that big of a deal into something bigger than they are, and to not allow yourself to be held hostage by hostility. You can only control yourself, and I promise you that the better you treat others, even those who may have wronged you, the more enjoyable your life will be. You will find that people who used to stay away from you because they didn’t want your drama in their lives will start to enjoy your company, and those who used to have problems with you will find someone else to target with their own inability to understand and embrace the words I have written in this section.

Be respectful, treat others well, put a ’10’ on the heads of everyone you come in contact with at all times, and you will find that every day is a little more enjoyable. Be a person who others are drawn to, not a person that others avoid. Your actions will determine how others respond to you, and only you can control how you treat others. Decide to live life in peace with those around you, and watch the incredible difference that it has on how much you are able to enjoy each day.

Have a great week ladies and gentlemen!

Mr. Cox

Assistant Principal
Garden Spot High School

Thoughts from Mr. Cox – Sept. 8

Good morning Garden Spot,

I hope you had a great extended weekend, and were able to relax and enjoy some time with family and friends. I wanted to thank you for such an awesome start to the school year. I am so impressed with how positive, upbeat, and respectful you are. It has been great getting to see the new faces of the class of 2019, and to watch the kindness of the Sophomore, Junior, and Senior classes as we welcome them into our building. I can’t imagine that there is a finer group of young men and women anywhere. I look forward to getting to see all of you in the morning. Y’all are great… keep on rockin’!

Reminders:

The outside lunch area will be open beginning this week. Please remember to clean up after yourselves if you eat outside, and to travel only in the 400 wing hallway between the main entrance to the cafeteria and the exit to the outside courtyard. This is a privilege that we have been happy to extend to the student body in the past, and it has always been handled responsibly. Please continue to behave responsibly so we can offer the outdoors as an option for you during your lunch.

Teacher Spotlight:

I would like to take a moment to extend a warm welcome to a talented bunch of new staff. We are excited to have them all on board, and to see how their skills will help to continually improve the education we offer each of you. Take a moment today to thank a new staff member for their decision to get into education, and confirm with your words and actions that they have made the right decision for their careers.

Personal Challenge:

I am going to write about some behavioral issues that always seem to pop up at the beginning of each school year. For any of you that have been in Mr. Sanger’s or my office, you have probably heard us say that we would prefer to have your behavior improve as a result of our conversation as it is not our desire to discipline anyone. While there are some things that are severe enough to warrant disciplinary action immediately, most things can be articulated in a way that the expected behavior moving forward is clear, and no disciplinary action is necessary. One of the most common things I hear in my office has to do with arguments between students. Both sides generally claim that their behavior is warranted because the other person has wronged them in some way… this is usually the beginning of some sort of back and forth between two or more individuals, a back and forth that will only stop if one person decides to be the bigger person. I generally hear from both sides that they want the drama to stop, but rarely do I hear that they understand the reality of the situation they are in… the reality that they are the one who has the ability to stop it. It cannot be predicated on the other side stopping first, because if that is the case then the drama will never stop because both sides have the same philosophy (they will only stop if the other person stops first)… it has to be a decision of one side to rise above the drama. It frustrates me that the things you all see and hear on TV, in your music, and generally from the “get famous at all costs” crowd that the internet and star studded Hollywood crowd have lifted up as being important, are things that make being selfish seem like the normal way to behave… that being rude and having constant drama ultimately leads to success (as most of the reality TV stars have become famous for). Most of the time that doesn’t get you far in life…

respect
Image from Flickr

I am encouraging each of you to live your lives in a way that gains real respect from the people around you, not fake respect because people are afraid of what you might do to or say about them. Real respect is based on people knowing you to be a person of solid character and integrity, a person they can rely on to be kind when they are weak, to be trustworthy in their interactions with you, to be fair, and to care more about others than you do about yourselves. Hold yourselves accountable to doing the right thing even when others around you may not. The bottom line is rather simple… two rights do not make a wrong, life is not always fair, and the only person responsible for your actions is you. There will be people that make life difficult for the rest of your life, but only you have the power to decide to stay away from the drama, or to enter into it. Be a person who others want to be around, but also respect. It’s not about being the life of the party, or the class clown… those things quickly fade as others move on with their lives… It is about being a good person, and that will generally take you far in life.

So, while the emphasis above was mainly on your behavior, the bigger picture is that the message applies to all of your life. The only one who can improve your current condition is you. If it is bad, or filled with drama every day and coming at you from every direction, just know that pointing fingers and blaming others, and responding to others with the same crap they may have thrown at you, does not make tomorrow any better, nor does it allow you to be any happier. We all need to understand that if we do not treat others the way we want to be treated, or give others the same grace for their behaviors that we want others to extend to us when we mess up, then we cannot expect that our relationships and the day to day struggles interacting with others will get any simpler. We need to understand that if we do not work hard, then we cannot expect that things we have not worked for will be given to us. While it is nice to have support when you are down, if you have not worked hard to achieve something, you cannot be frustrated that you have not achieved it. This applies to sports, musical instruments, skate boarding, school, relationships… well, it pretty much applies to life.

Effort breeds achievement in both your relationships and your academics. Get your priorities in line, and start working hard to produce a better tomorrow for yourself. Be a person that treats others well even when they may not deserve it. Be a person that doesn’t make excuses for their current situation, but always keeps their head high and works hard to make the best out of whatever life throws at them. You deserve it, you are the only one who can make it happen, and I believe in your ability to do just that!
Have a great week ladies and gentlemen,

Mr. Cox

Assistant Principal
Garden Spot High School

 

Welcome Back!!!

Good morning Garden Spot!

Welcome Back!!!
Welcome Back!!!

As I write this, we are on the doorstep of another great year and Mr. Sanger and I couldn’t be happier to welcome you back. We often found ourselves waiting by the front doors on Monday mornings this summer hoping that the buses would arrive… and now that time is here! Seeing each of you brightens our day, and we are excited to have the privilege of welcoming you back once again.

It is very important to us that all of the adults in our building speak into your lives in a way that ensures you know how much you matter to us. Most of you would acknowledge that those we are willing to work hardest for, and are least likely to want to let down, are those who believe in us the most. That is what we are constantly working toward as a staff, and that is what you can rely on from us every day. We will be a place that you can count on to be consistent and fair, and to support you with respect, high expectations of your behavior and academic performance, and genuine concern for your success in the future… we will be a place that believes in you, and where you know that you matter. Thank you for joining us for another great year… life is better when you are all here! It’s a great day to be a Spartan!

Have an awesome first week!

Mr. Cox

Assistant Principal
Garden Spot High School

Ryan Sherman Fundraiser

Good morning,

I am writing to let you know of an opportunity to support Ryan Sherman and his family with the medical bills and other costs associated with the care, travel, and missed work associated with his hospital stay. For those who may not know Ryan, he is a student at the high school and was recently struck by a motorist as he was skateboarding.

There was a chicken barbecue that had been planned to support the Relay For Life event that is coming up in our community, and they have decided to split the profits from the chicken barbecue half and half between funds for Ryan and his family and the Relay For Life. Please see the flyer below for additional information about the event on Saturday, June 6th from 10 am – 2pm.

bbq

Have a great day,

Mr. Cox

Assistant Principal
Garden Spot High School

Thoughts from Mr. Cox – June 1

Ladies and gentlemen,

Danny makes a dash for the finish line
Image from Flickr

It is difficult for me to consider the sadness that Mr. Sanger and I will experience without you here, but we will need to find a way to do so as the end of the year is almost here. I just want to take a minute to thank you for such an exceptional year… you are all such wonderful young men and women, and I appreciate having the privilege of getting to spend my days with you. Remember as you enjoy your summer to treat others well, and to give them better than they deserve. We are often quick to give someone back what they dish out, but I promise you that there is so much more joy to be had by holding yourself personally accountable for how you treat others, even if they have treated you poorly. So much of the hurt, drama, and arguing would disappear if we learned to treat others how we would want to be treated, and that includes treating them well even when they have done something hurtful. You never know what others are going through… give them better than they deserve and you may be part of helping them through a difficult time.

Updates:

Next year we will be changing iSpartan a little bit. On cycle days 1 through 4 you will return to the block that corresponds with the cycle day (on day one you would return to block 1, etc.), and placements will be determined by your quarter and semester grades. There is a chance we will use mid-marking period grades too. These changes have come as a result of feedback we received from students about it not being easy to see their teachers during iSpartan, and feedback we have received from the staff about having time to get to know the students they are to be supervising. The quarterly placements are the result of our desire to help assure we do everything we can to help you to be successful. If you are doing well, you have earned additional privileges. If you are struggling, we owe it to you to do everything we can to help. If you end a quarter with a ‘D’ or an ‘F’, we want to make sure that we give you the support needed for you to pass the class, hence the quarter long placement based on the previous quarter. If you end a semester with a ‘D’ or and ‘F’, we want to make sure you get the next semester started on the right foot.

If we didn’t care we would allow failure without attempting to intervene, but we do care. Some of you may not see it as that, but education is the tool that unlocks endless opportunities in your future, and it is incumbent upon us to do what we can while you are here to assure you get a good one. It is natural for teenagers not to see the value in it, and that is why it is so important for those of us who really care about you to do everything in our power to assure you maneuver through these years successfully.

Finish strong!

Have a great last full week, study for your finals, and have a wonderful summer!

Mr. Cox

Assistant Principal
Garden Spot High School