Good morning Garden Spot!

I was thinking on the way to school last week about how wonderful it is to have the opportunity to work with all of you… it is so much fun, and an honor, to get to be a part of your life. Mr. Sanger and I often comment how great of a responsibility it is to help shape, guide, and encourage you as you move into your lives beyond high school, and I hope that you sense in our interactions with you how seriously we take that responsibility. You are all such wonderful individuals with so much ahead of you… be sure that you are doing what you ought to be doing today, so that you can do the things you want to be doing in the future. You rock!

Reminders/Notices:

• Additional Open Campus privileges will be granted over the next two weeks. You will receive a letter in the mail in the near future if you qualify, and may begin taking advantage of Open Campus privileges as soon as the signed letter is returned to the high school office. The requirements to qualify for Seniors who do not already have Open Campus privileges is that they had a GPA of 3.0 or higher during the first semester of this school year. We are also going to offer this opportunity to all Juniors who scored proficient or better on both the Algebra and Lit Keystone Exams & have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or greater… congratulations, and keep up the great work! Along with the letter that you will need to return with a parent signature, you will receive an email from Mr. Cox (that’s me) with expectations and a link to sign-out for Open Campus. Read the expectations as you will be held accountable to them. Saying that you did not know will not be accepted as a valid excuse.
• Mrs. Groft has been working to set up the first of our family fun nights for the entire district. We are having a video/board game night on March 19 at the high school from 6 – 8 pm. The event is for all of our staff , students and families. Posters will be hung around the building with additional information. I encourage you to come out and enjoy the fun!
• Sign-ups for AP exams have begun! If you are interested in taking an AP exam, please see Mrs. Landis in the high school office to sign-up. You will not be permitted to sign up unless you have your payment with you. The cost is $45.50 per test. If you are a part of the free or reduced lunch program, there is no cost to take an AP exam. The deadline to sign up is March 13, 2015. After that date there will be a brief window where there is an additional charge through the AP Exam Board of $45.00 for late enrollments. Please see Mrs. Landis in the high school office if you have questions.

Teacher Spotlight:

• This week I would like to take a moment to recognize an individual who has provided exceptional teaching that is displayed in the quality of work their students produce. This teacher works to provide an environment where students are able to fine tune their skills with the support of a teacher who is passionate about what they teach. Mr. Kaufman not only teaches the skills necessary to produce exceptional products in his wood seminar classes, but he also calls each student to continue to improve their skills throughout the semester. If you have, or have had Mr. Kaufman, please take a moment to thank him for the opportunities that his skills allow all of you to experience, and his desire to have you all leave his classroom with a quality product that you will be able to use for the rest of your life.

Personal Challenge:

It always bothers me when I hear people verbalize that they think they are too stupid to do something, or are not capable of doing something. I cannot stand hearing people talk about our community as if where we are at is somehow the best that we can ever expect to be. Mr. Sanger and I believe in each and everyone of you, and I can tell you that teenagers only began talking like that when that is what they hear from those around them. Teenagers only continue talking like that when they are allowed to say such things without being told that it is not true. I am telling you that those ideas are not true. You are good enough, you deserve the best, you are capable of doing great things, and where you will make it in life is completely up to you.

I refuse to be a part of something in which it is thought that there is no chance of improving. If I thought there were no hope, that would be me giving up on all of you. I am not interested in doing that, nor am I willing to do so. I believe in the staff, I believe in you, and I believe in this community.

I will not hear that there are people who are not capable of controlling their language. I will not hear that we have people here who are not capable of respecting others. I will not hear that we have people at our school who simply cannot do the work necessary to pass their classes. If I accepted those things as true, that would be me giving up on you and saying that you are stuck in a situation in which you have no control. The reality is however, that you do have the ability to succeed, and I will fight to assure that you know and believe that before you leave our school.

Don’t give up on yourself… ever! You have the ability to do things you thought you never could, if you decide that you are going to dedicate yourself to getting them done. Learn to work hard… learn to take pride in your work… learn to do everything you do well, even if you don’t see the point in it… learn to treat others well, even when they don’t deserve it… learn to be respectful, even when you have been disrespected… learn to hold yourselves accountable to the things that will lead to a better future. Those are character traits that will serve you well in life, and will ultimately allow you to succeed at whatever it is you want to do in life.

Have a great week,

Mr. Elias Cox

Assistant Principal
Garden Spot High School

Good morning Garden Spot!

As I worked on finishing my basement this weekend, a job I have been working on for the past year, I was reminded of the need to enjoy the time we have with those most important to us. My kids continued to bug me to spend time with them, and as I met their requests with a plee to wait I was reminded that there are few things more important than nurturing relationships with those around us. It is so easy to get wrapped up in things that don’t matter. The basement will get done… even if it takes another year… but my kids will come to know where I place them on my priority list by how I spend my time.

There are always things to do in life, and if we are not careful those things will dominate our days. Take the time to set those things aside once and awhile to strengthen relationships that you have let falter… instead of always being on the go, spend some time this week with your parents. Tell them that they matter to you by spending some time with them, doing what they like to do. You will be amazed at the response you get if you take the initiative to set aside some time to do this.

Reminders:

Grades will be pulled on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 for placements during the upcoming cycle of iSpartan from February 19 through March 4. Please be sure that you are using your time wisely, seeking help when needed, and making up work that is missed due absences in a timely manner.
Only you can control your actions, and only you are responsible for your choices. Life is under no obligation to give us what we expect, and how you respond to things that are out of your control will ultimately determine your happiness and contentment with life. Behave how you know you should, and do what you know you should be doing. This is the best path to personal fulfillment in life.

Teacher Spotlight:

This week’s spotlight is on two individuals many of you may not know. They spend a lot of time behind the scenes fighting to provide opportunities for all of our students. They approach their jobs with passion, and with a desire to improve the condition of every student that they serve. Their hearts are set on making a difference, and they bring that with them every day in their attitude and effort. If you know Mrs. Jordan or Mr. Robbins, you certainly understand the truth in these words. Take a moment to thank them this week… if you do not know them, thank whoever you thought of as you read this spotlight.

Personal Challenge:

Most of life is showing up… people that find a way to make sure they show up no matter their mood, even if they have an reasonable excuse to not do wo, tend to find life to be much easier than not showing up at all. Not showing up at all, or showing up sporadically, makes doing well at anything more difficult. Lots of people have learned the importance of showing up, and they do that well. The remainder of life is going beyond just showing up… it is the part that others see in people that cause them to consider that person a meaningful leader. The piece that will allow you to be a meaningful leader is to not just show up, but to bring with you a passion for everything that you show up for.

I heard the phrase ‘patient endurance’ somewhere over the past few months. Patient endurance is realizing that things that are good for us are often not easy, and that working hard toward a long-term goal is what allows us to have pride in a job well done when we have completed the task. That not only applies to school, but also to playing a musical instrument, playing a sport, and ultimately to everything that you will do for the remainder of your life. Doing things well often takes a dedication to working at them for an extended period of time. Decide to have patient endurance, knowing that patient endurance is what produces the highest likelihood that you will find success in the future. Decide to not just show up, but to also show up with a passion for whatever you are doing. That passion is what will keep you going, and it is what will help you to succeed. It makes it easier to keep going when things are tough, and to realize that the work you are completing will yield amazing results if you bring passion every time you show up.

My challenge to you is to approach everything you do with passion, and to patiently endure until you see the fruits of your labor recognized as success. If you live your life in this way, others will notice, and others will want to follow you because you have that ‘thing’ that those who just show up do not have. Inspire others to greatness by calling yourself to more than most expect out of themselves.

Have a great week, Spot!

Mr. Cox

Assistant Principal
Garden Spot High School

Good morning Garden Spot!

And a cold morning it is! So glad we only had a two hour delay today, and not off school… I’m not sure I could have made it another day without getting to see you!

Reminders:

• The new iSpartan placements will begin tomorrow, and run through February 18. Grades will be pulled on Friday, February 13 to use in determining placements for the third cycle of the new semester.

Teacher Spotlight:

• The teacher spotlight this week not only expects a lot out of himself, but also expects a lot out of every student in his classroom. He does that because he knows that you are capable, and because he cares about your future. Mr. Weidman puts everything he has into making instruction in his classroom the best that it can be for the students that he serves. If you have had Mr. Weidman in the past, take a minute to thank him for pushing you to go further than you may have thought possible. If not, think of a teacher who has pushed you beyond where you were comfortable going, and thank them for their dedication to your future.

Personal Challenge:

I wanted to write about the iSpartan placements that will be in effect through February 18, and some other thoughts I was having when I began writing this email. I know some of you may feel like this is a punishment, and I understand that feeling. The most common response that we hear is these placements are based on last semesters final grades, and so the placements aren’t fair. I assure you that running the placements in this manner is the result of our caring about your success. Your performance, whether the result of taking a class that was extraordinarily difficult for you, or the result of not putting in the effort needed to succeed, indicates the need for us to make sure you have the best chance at starting this semester on the right foot.

We know that getting started on the right foot helps to breed long-term success, and so this is one way of our showing you how much we care about you and your future. We value each and everyone one of you just the way you are, but we should always be actively seeking to improve ourselves just a little bit every day. Mr. Sanger and I challenge each other to do that, our staff challenge each other to do that, and we all work together as a team to continue to find ways to take a step forward every day.

For many of you, the drive to improve on who you are every day is already there, but for some it is not. You know yourself better than anyone. Be honest with yourself about whether or not you are improving who you are everyday, or if you are just staying the same. Then decide to pick one thing and start working on that. Maybe it is completing homework… maybe it is studying for more than 30 minutes for a test… maybe it is working on school work during every iSpartan so that you never fall behind… maybe it is paying attention in class, and I mean actively paying attention and participating… maybe it is treating others better, or not talking about other people… maybe it is to stop making fun of others. Whatever it is, find something you know you could work on that would make you a better person, and start working on it.

There is also a word of caution that should be expressed for those who were successful in the past. Don’t let your success fool you into starting off slow… until you know how difficult a class is going to be for you, you need to attack every one as if it is going to be the hardest class you have ever taken. Once you fall behind, the effort it takes to get back where you want to be can sometimes be extraordinary. The harder you work at the start, the better you will be doing when you start to get a feel for the difficulty and amount of work being successful in that class will take.

This is what being a student is all about, and these are the traits that will help you to be successful in whatever profession you end up in. This is also why your grades are so important, because they are a sign of how hard a person is willing to work to be successful. Even when it is difficult, even when they may not like what they are currently doing… those are the things that employers are looking for because those are things that will be present in any job you have, even one that you love.

I have heard some say that we need to teach students responsibility, and that homework teaches them responsibility. I am not sure that I agree with that statement. I see homework as a sign of how willing you are to work hard to be as successful as you can be. If earning an ‘A’ means doing all of my homework, and the teacher gives homework every night, my success will be determined by whether or not I am willing to work hard until the job is over. Of course there is also a measure of responsibility here, as being responsible means that you do the things you know need to be done without having to be asked or told to do so.

Are you satisfied with mediocrity, or do you hold yourself accountable to being the best you can be even if no one else is holding you accountable? It is difficult to argue that someone who does the latter (holds themselves accountable) will not be more sought after and a better asset to whatever company they work for, and it is because of that many of you have heard me reply, “yes you do”, when you tell me that you don’t get paid to go to school. The amount of money you will be able to make after you leave is directly tied to how you perform while you are here. Those with the best credentials are more highly sought after, and are therefore paid more money.

Make yourself the best you that you can be so that you can be the best at whatever it is that you have a passion for doing after you graduate this great high school. That thing is different for all of us, but I can promise you that when you get home from a job you love (knowing that you are honestly doing the best that you can) there is a sense of pride in a job well done that has a way of making life a little better. And when life is a little better, you treat the people around you a little better, even when things are tough. I would argue that is because you understand how to keep working hard even when things are tough because that is how you approach life on a daily basis, and because of that you know that never giving up is the best chance you have of getting out of a tough time. I’m not talking about being the best at a job that someone else thinks you should do, I’m talking about whatever it is that you want to do. There is no shame in any job, so long as you make yourself the best at whatever you do and always work to make yourself and the place you’re working at a little better each day. You are all capable of being the best… someone is going to do it, why not have it be you?

Have a great week Garden Spot!

Mr. Cox

Assistant Principal
Garden Spot High School

Good morning Garden Spot!

It is hard to believe that we are half way through the year already. As the second semester begins, I encourage you to continue to take steps forward in becoming the best you possible. Start strong, work hard, don’t give up, believe in yourself, make sure your priorities are where they should be, and accept responsibility for the results of your decisions and actions.

No one can go back and change their past, but everyone is capable of starting a new beginning. There is no better time than today to discipline yourself to do the things you know you should be doing, and to focus on things that will bring long-term fulfillment and satisfaction in your life.

Reminders:

• Tuesday, January 20 will be a Keystone Exam test date. Seniors will be permitted to arrive at school at 9:25 am.
  We will be using semester 1 final grades for iSpartan placements during the first cycle of semester 2. As the grades were just finalized yesterday, it will take a few days to sort the information and assign placements. You will return to homeroom for iSpartan until that process is complete, and then there will be announcements and your homeroom teacher will share the placements with you. So, go to your homerooms for iSpartan until you hear differently. There is no iSpartan today due to Keystone testing.
• Every year that we have made placements based on the previous semesters grades, I have heard some complain that it is not fair. Consider that it is our hope to have every student start the new semester on the right foot, so the placements based on semester 1 grades are an indicator of the amount of support you need to do just that. Work hard, complete your homework, ask your teachers when you have questions, and get help early so that you can start the semester off strong. Good luck, and enjoy your classes!

Teacher Spotlight:

• Make a great impression today as you meet your new teachers for the first time. Be respectful and kind, and pay attention to what they are talking with you about. The importance of a good first impression cannot be overstated. Also, take the time this week to thank your semester 1 teachers for the time and effort they put into teaching you, especially if you have not already done so.

Personal Challenge:

In my time in the assistant principal role I have often heard the students say that they weren’t thinking, or they would not have acted in the manner that got them sent to my office. I think most of us can relate to that, and so it is important to extend grace and mercy to those who have wronged us. That does not mean they are not held accountable, as saying that you did not think before you acted does not remove the consequences of your actions. It does, however, speak to the need for us to move on after someone wrongs us. A lot can be learned about how to treat others by how others treat us in response to our poor decisions. Often times it is those who have wronged us that need to witness an appropriate response the most.

As you maneuver through life, work to be an example of what it is that you hope to see around you. If you learn to react with some grace toward those who have wronged you, and extend mercy in your response, perhaps others will do the same for you. Saying that makes me think about another response I often hear in my office, which is that “they deserve it”. I encourage you to think about the difference you could make if you gave everyone better than they deserved…

Make a difference in this world… learn to forgive, learn to think before you act, and learn to give others better than they deserve. Be something different than what you see on the news, in the movies, and in magazines… if you pay careful attention, you see the mess that much of that way of life brings. Decide to do what you know you ought to do, and not what will be accepted by many around you. You deserve it.

Have an awesome semester!

Mr. Cox
Assistant Principal
Garden Spot High School

Good morning Garden Spot!

As the semester winds down I find myself wondering where the time has went. As time moves by so quickly, I am challenged to make every day the best that it can be. I hope that each of you remind yourself to do the same. How we invest our time speaks volumes about where our heart and mind are at. Are we using our time to do things that make ourselves, the people around us, and the world a better place? We often think that changing the world requires big things, but simply giving encouragement to someone that is struggling, being kind to someone that others pick on, helping a teacher straighten up their desks at the end of class… the list goes on and on… those are all things that give value to other people, and the more value others place on us as people, the better we treat each other.

On another note, I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you who have been taking the Keystone exams. I appreciate the effort that you have put into completing them to the best of your abilities. Keep up the good work, and continue putting your best foot forward even when you may not feel like it.

Reminders:

• As the second semester approaches, we will be offering open campus privileges to more students. Please make sure that you hold yourself accountable to excellent behavior when you are not on campus so that we can continue to offer this privilege moving forward.
• Your final semester grades will be used to determine your iSpartan placements for the second semester. You will report to homeroom for iSpartan at the beginning of semester 2 until the grades are finalized and available to use for placements.
• Final Exams (1/15/2015 – 1/16/2015) – We will operate on an early dismissal schedule each day of Final Exams. Students will be dismissed at 11:30 AM both days. AM CTC students need not attend school on January 15, 2015. PM CTC students need not attend school on January 16, 2015. These will be marked as legally excused days for our AM/PM CTC students. Full-day CTC students will attend school as normal.
• Students who return a “Note of Intent” (which was sent home via USPS), will eat lunch from 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM in the cafeteria. They will then return to their respective homerooms until regular dismissal at 2:32 PM the day of final exams. Please be reminded that the “Note of Intent” is due back to the GSHS Office by Monday, January 12th.
• Parent pick-up on Final Exam early dismissal days: If your parents will be picking you up from school on the early dismissal days, please ask that they park in a spot in the student parking lot located in the back of the school. Student drivers and those riding with them will be dismissed earlier than 11:30 so that they can clear the parking lot for parent pick-up. Car riders and walkers will be dismissed at 11:30.

Teacher Spotlight:

• This week I would like to recognize and thank all of our staff for their willingness to help out whenever needed. Whether it is stepping up to fill needs during testing, making themselves available for study sessions and extra help during the school day and in the evening, or helping to cover classrooms and other staff responsibilities when there are no substitutes to do so, our staff always rises to the occasion and gets the job done. Take a moment this week to thank a teacher that has went above and beyond to help you in some way.

Personal Challenge:

“Who we are today will become a legacy for others to follow tomorrow.” I imagine that this quote can be read without giving it much thought, but the importance of it cannot be overstated. If you have younger siblings, or younger friends, consider the fact that they look up to you. They see your attitude, and your actions, and will strive to become like you. Are your actions ones that you would be proud of if they repeated them?

Most of us only want the best for those we care about, but we fail to acknowledge that how we live our lives will likely form some part of how they live theirs. As a parent, my words, actions, and attitudes will be adopted by my children. I need to be careful about how I talk about others, the words I use, and how I talk about the things that are important. If I talk about how bad life is, they will think that life is bad. If I talk about how stupid school is, they will think school is stupid. If I make fun of other people, they will make fun of other people. If I don’t work hard at being the best I can be, they won’t work hard either. Often times the behaviors that I correct my children for, telling them that they are not acceptable or inappropriate, are ones that I have demonstrated in my own life. Telling them something is not ok for them to do, but doing it myself, will not teach them not do it. The only way to lead them to a positive future is to lead by example.

My life is one that will leave a legacy that will be seen in how my children live their lives. I take that very seriously, and it challenges me to continue to work on being a better person. Doing the things I know I should do, even when I don’t feel like doing them, will teach them responsibility. Being kind to others will teach them that how they treat people matters. Treating my wife right will help them to have relationships that last. I challenge you to consider whether or not your actions are ones that you would be proud of it those who look up to you become like you. Whether you want it or not, they will. Leave a legacy of peace, happiness, discipline to do what is right, and a positive attitude about life.

To a great week,

Mr. Cox

Assistant Principal
Garden Spot High School

Good morning Garden Spot!

Man, Mr. Sanger and I have missed having all of you around. This place just ain’t the same without you here! Our tears of sadness at your absence will quickly give way to joy as we see you again on Monday morning. I can’t wait!

Let 2015 be a year of excellence in your life. Until you begin to work hard and experience the rewards for your effort, it is difficult to understand how much hard work and taking pride in your work can affect your day to day mood. Regardless of whether anyone else is holding you accountable, you need to hold yourself accountable to the direction you want to go in life. It is more difficult if you have no one holding you accountable for the things that should take priority in your life, but it is still up to you to decide where you want to end up.

Think about 10 years from now and what you want to be doing, and then ask yourself if the way you are using your time today will help get you there. You will be the one living your life and there are consequences in the future for the choices you have made. Those consequences can be really great if your decisions today are admirable and ones you can be proud of, but they can also make the future very difficult if you do not hold yourself accountable for being the best ‘you’ that you can be.

Reminders:

As the second semester approaches, we will be offering open campus privileges to more students. Please make sure that you hold yourself accountable to excellent behavior when you are not on campus so that we can continue to offer this privilege moving forward.
There will be no iSpartan on days 3 – 10. You will be returning to Homeroom during iSpartan on Monday, January 5 and Tuesday, January 6.
The last Mii day of the semester will be on Tuesday, January 6.

Teacher Spotlight:

The teacher I would like to spotlight this week is someone who you can always count on bring a smile to your face. She makes everyone around her a better person, and is positive about life. She loves her job, is passionate about working with all of the students she gets to interact with, and works tirelessly to find fun ways to interact as a student body, and as a staff. I think you would be hard pressed to find many, if any, who would disagree with the statements above. If you know Mrs. Groft, give her a shout out this week to let her know how much you appreciate her. If not, think of another teacher who brings their ‘A’ game on a daily basis and thank them for being awesome!

Personal Challenge:
What you put into your head is what comes out in your words and actions. You are what you eat. Don’t fool yourself that you can hang around people that are doing things contrary to the type of person you want to be without slowly adopting their behaviors, and likewise it is difficult to separate the music you listen to from the person that you are.

Think about the people you hang out with and ask yourself if the way they conduct themselves is representative of the type of person you want to be. Think about the music you listen to, and ask yourself if the message that music is sending is one that you are in agreement with. The importance of being cool wears off shortly after high school, but the importance of being a person that matters in this world will impact those you’ve interacted with well beyond your death.

All of us are experiencing different successes and struggles, some of them really big things, and some of them small things, so the goal cannot be for everyone to get to the same place at the same time. The goal needs to be for each of us to improve who we are on a daily basis. As we do that we make ourselves better people, and make the people around us better people. Imagine if all of us just chose to do that simple thing, work on making ourselves better people on a daily basis, the difference that it would make in our school and community. Each of you deserve that, and each of you are capable of that.

Be people that make a difference in this world… you all have the ability to do so. We are well on our way, and I so proud to get to interact with such a fine group of individuals on a regular basis. I am so glad to have you back…

Make 2015 a great year!

Mr. Cox

Assistant Principal
Garden Spot High School

Hello Garden Spot!

As I am writing this email, I find myself feeling a bit sentimental… another year has come and gone, and they seem to fly by faster the older I get. I have been asking myself whether I spent this past year investing in things that will make the upcoming year better than the one before. There are some areas I certainly need to improve on, like making sure I have enough energy left to give my family the best of me each day. It is easy to lose sight of what matters in life, and I believe that the best investment of my time is to be sure that the people around me every day know how much they matter. I know I have told you this before, but I want to tell you again how much I enjoy being around you each day. Every single one of you make me a better person, and I appreciate having the opportunity to be around such a wonderful group of young adults.

I want to take a moment to encourage you to touch base with your teachers before the break about any assignments you may be missing or did not perform well on, ask permission to do some work that will demonstrate that you have learned the material, and then complete the work well over break so that they can see your desire to do well is more than just words. Follow through, and finish strong. I also encourage you to take some time over the next two days to thank your teachers for their dedication to each of you. Write them a note of thanks, or thank them personally.

Reminders:

• There will be no iSpartan placements for the last cycle of semester 1 that will begin on January 5, 2015. You will report to Homeroom for iSpartan on the days that there is iSpartan. There will be no iSpartan on many of the days because of Keystone and final exams.
• Have a great holiday season, Christmas, and New Year. Be safe, treat others well, and enjoy your break.

Teacher Spotlight:

• I have appreciated having the opportunity to see this individual step up into a leadership role this past year as a 9th grade team leader. He is dedicated to the students he serves, and refuses to give up on any student in his classroom. He makes himself available for any student that needs help, and is a positive influence on the students in his classroom. If you have Mr. Miller, you likely have noticed his dedication to the students. I encourage you to take some time over the next two days to make sure he knows that his efforts are appreciated.

Personal Challenge:

As I consider what the next few weeks will hold for all of you, with Keystone and final exams, the word discipline continues to pop into my mind. Discipline has to do with the ability to postpone the things we want today with the understanding that perhaps other things need to take priority so that we are able to enjoy those things more tomorrow. Discipline is our ability to control our behaviors. Discipline is doing the things we know ought to be done today so as to produce a better future.

Discipline is a fundamental premise of any solid foundation upon which a successful future can be built. Those who become professional athletes discipline themselves to train harder than anyone else around them so that they can remain the starter in their position. They also must discipline themselves with the money that they ultimately earn so that it is there for them to live on after they retire. You have seen many instances of professional athletes who have no discipline with their finances and end up in financial ruin even though they have made tens of millions of dollars in their lifetime. This same type of discipline is necessary in all areas of our life. When others stop working, or claim something is too hard to be done, remember that someone will get it done. Discipline yourself to work harder than those around you so that you can experience the rewards of not giving up.

Discipline yourself to do what you know you ought to do is never easy because there are so many other things that may seem more enjoyable today, but putting off the things we need to be doing only leads to us being overwhelmed by how much we need to do. This is the situation that many people find themselves in, feeling overwhelmed by all that they have to do, but the reason for that is often that they have dug a deep hole to get out of by not disciplining themselves to take care of the things that will make tomorrow a little easier. It would be great if all we had to do in life was play, but that is simply not how life works. The sooner we realize that, and learn to discipline ourselves to do what needs to be done, the more likely it is that we will experience success and be able to feel more optimistic about the future. Doing what needs to be done makes the future easier to handle, while neglecting the things that need to be done generally make the future more difficult.

I challenge each of you to discipline yourselves over the next few weeks to set your priorities on the things that you know you should be doing… focus on your school work, and finish the semester strong. If you take care of your schoolwork, next semester will be a little better as you will not have to worry about retaking courses or whether or not you will be able to graduate with the rest of your class. I challenge each of you to think about where you want to be in ten years, and to discipline yourselves to do the things necessary today to help you to get there. Create a vision of a better future, and discipline yourself to get there.

Have a wonderful couple of days,

Mr. Cox

Assistant Principal

Garden Spot High School

Good morning Spartans!

I hope this message finds you doing well and having thoroughly enjoyed your weekend. I have been so impressed this past week with your ability to be resilient in the face of difficult times. Whether it is schoolwork that seems overwhelming, or situations beyond your control outside of school, you manage to keep a smile on your face, a song on your lips, and some dancing in your steps. Thank you for bringing your smile and happiness to school with you each day, even when things are difficult.

If we build a community of people that learn to value those around us, then we will be equipped to support each other even in the midst of difficult times in our lives. Thank you for being a part of that here, and for realizing that all of us will need others at some point in our lives. You make our lives better, and Mr. Sanger and I thank you for allowing us to have the privilege of being a part of yours.

Reminders:

• Grades will be pulled on Thursday, December 18. Please talk with your teachers now if there are items you need to take care of in order to demonstrate the learning that equates to increased grades. Take care of the things that are missing, or that you performed poorly on, now… don’t wait. A long break is almost here, and I encourage you to work hard up until the break so you can enjoy the time off without any worry about school.
• We will have a Holiday concert on Tuesday, December 16. The Mii Day that was scheduled for Tuesday has been moved to Wednesday, December 17.

Teacher Spotlight:

• I would like to take a moment this week to spotlight a teacher we have who works tirelessly to help her students succeed beyond high school. She provides meaningful experiences in and outside of school, and believes in the students she is charged with teaching and mentoring. Her heart and passion are admirable, and her belief in her students translates into a growth in their confidence as she never accepts less than their best. Thank you Ms. Bowden for what you do for our students, and for the positive attitude and strength you bring to our school. If you know Ms. Bowden, make sure you thank her for her dedication to the students she is charged with leading. If you do not, take a moment to thank a teacher who has challenged and inspired you to do more than you thought you were capable of.

Personal Challenge:

None of you chose the situations of your birth. You did not choose your parents, you did not choose your looks (hair color, eye color, ear size, etc.), you did not choose the wealth of the family you live with, you did not choose your race or ethnicity, you did not choose your intelligence, and yet many of those things are common reasons that teenagers pick on others in school. The color of your eyes, the color of your skin, your cultural background, the money your parents have, are all things that you have no control over. Making fun of someone for the quality of clothes they wear, how they look, or the color of their skin only shows the ignorance of the person that is doing the picking. If you were blind you would not be able to make fun of people for these things, and would judge them only based on how they treat you. Then again, if you were blind people may be making fun of you… for something you had no control over. Isn’t it ridiculous? Instead of picking on others for things that they cannot control, perhaps you should be appreciative of your fortune and work to bring joy into their lives by treating them well when others may not.

All of these things are not what define us as people. How we treat those around us is how we will be defined in the eyes of everyone around us. Not the money in our wallet, the type of car we drive, the important titles we hold, the name brand on our clothing, color of our skin, attractiveness, or intelligence. All of those things mean nothing if you treat people poorly, because no one will respect you if that is how you live your life. There may be people that are forced into your world, and don’t let on that they do not respect you because they do not want to become the focus of your attacks, but if anything ever happened to you where you were in need you would quickly come to find that you had no friends. The amazing thing about people, and the kindness in their hearts, is that most of the folk that would come to your aid would be those who have decided to be nice to you in spite of your own rudeness.

The reality is that those who treat other’s so poorly are running from something. They are attempting to compensate for a part of their being that they are embarrassed by, or a low self-esteem that requires them to derive their self-worth from how poorly they treat others. If you are friends with these people, consider whether or not you want to be known as that person. If you are that person, consider whether or not you would be happy if you knew what others really thought of you.

If you have ever found yourself the focus of someone else’s attack, you have likely wished that someone would stand up for you. Many of you have likely heard another student being picked on. What have you done in that moment? I think it is human nature to ignore it, or act like you don’t notice it. When it is a friend picking on someone else you likely feel somewhat uncomfortable, but don’t want to say anything for fear that your friends will no longer think you are cool. What is the reason that so few people step in and ask that the aggressor stop their attack? I would argue that we are afraid that person will redirect their attacks on us.

I strongly believe that there is more good in this world than bad, and that most people listening to someone that is picking on another person find it bothersome, but so many remain silent. I encourage you to stand up for your peers. In helping my sons to maneuver through this at school I remind them that nothing they have is theirs because of something they did, so they have no right to pick on other’s for not having those things. I encourage them to use a simple phrase, and would encourage each of you to do the same. Tell the person to knock it off. Imagine how good it would feel for the person that is being picked on to know that there are kind people out there who will stand up for them. My oldest son asked once what he was supposed to when the person started picking on him, and I told him to reply, “that’s fine, you can pick on me all you want, just stop picking on him(or her as the case may be)”. I’ve instructed him to then walk away as the person runs their mouth attempting to make him feel bad, but he will have done what is right and decent. I have told him that in doing so he can feel good knowing that he did what was right even though it meant he may be ridiculed for it.

My challenge to you is to do what is right even though you may be ridiculed for it. Stand up for what is decent and good. What is popular is not always right, and what is right is not always popular. Go Spartans!

Have a week that is as awesome as each of you!

Mr. Cox
Assistant Principal
Garden Spot High School

Good morning Garden Spot!

It is hard to believe how fast this school year is going. Some of you, I’m sure, think it is not going fast enough… well, either way, I feel like one of the luckiest people alive to be able to have a job that allows me to feel good about trying to make a difference in this world, and also allows me to hang out with the most wonderful group of people around. You make my day, and I appreciate each day I get to spend with you.

As we continue on our journey together, please reflect on your behaviors in the classroom. We desire to provide a school where those who are doing what they are supposed to are rewarded with classrooms that are not dominated by disruptions, inappropriate language, and individuals who derive satisfaction by picking on and making fun of others. As the majority of students in our school desire the same thing, we take very seriously our responsibility in dealing with those who attempt to turn our classrooms into a circus. Classrooms that are dominated by disruptions are generally not enjoyed by most of the students in that class, but very few say anything because they don’t want to be ridiculed by those who are causing the disruption. We are dedicated to assuring that we support the behaviors that 95% of our student body hold themselves accountable to, and squash the poor behaviors that can hold the majority captive. Those of you who hold yourselves accountable to respecting those around you deserve it. Those of you who do not deserve our guidance and efforts to help you grow into the fine young men and women that we know you are capable of being. All of you have value and matter very deeply to us, and because we care we will hold you accountable to behaviors that will benefit you in the future.

In all of our dealings with students we provide guidance that will help paint a picture of what life should look like, and just how sweet your future can be. The reality is that we cannot make any of you do anything outside of school, but in school we will assure that it is possible to get a top notch education from one of the best teaching staffs around. Our motives in providing guidance are not self-seeking, as we are not the ones who will have to live your lives. Our motives are to paint a picture of what your life can be, and to get you to believe that you deserve the best that life has to offer. In order to attain that, you need to work toward it. You are the only one that controls your behaviors, and you are the only one that will have to live with whatever you create for your life. It is our desire to produce in each of you a desire to be the best that you can be so that your life can be as enjoyable and fulfilling as possible.

Reminders:

• Our SAP specialists, Ms. Argie Hansen, will begin coming into iSpartan classrooms to begin lessons on drug and alcohol use. Please participate when she is in your classroom, and be respectful of her as you would any other guest speaker. She will be bringing an important message, and I think you will find her to be an engaging presenter and wonderful young lady.

Teacher Spotlight:

• For this week’s spotlight I would like to thank the entire Math Department. I caught wind recently that they were sponsoring a family for Christmas in partnership with the Cross Connection Ministry. While they have done it for years, and do not do it because they want anyone to notice or give them thanks, it is a small glimpse into how much they care. If all of us could take a page from their playbook and care a little more about the needs of those around us, we would continue to make our community a little better for everyone here. If you see a math teacher today, thank them for caring, and for doing their part in making our community a better place.

Personal Challenge:

I absolutely love music, and cannot imagine life without it. I have nearly over 3900 songs in my iTunes library, and listen to music every chance I get. In most of the music I listen to there are meaningful verses that challenge me to think about my life, which is one reason why I enjoy music so much. A line from one of my favorite bands, The Avett Brothers, says “The more I have, the more I think, I’m almost where I need to be. If only I could get a little more. Temporary is my time, Ain’t nothin’ on this world that’s mine…”. The song is called “Ill With Want”, and it speaks about the idea that the more possessions we accumulate, the more things we want.

We get so busy chasing things that we fail to just enjoy what we have today. The reality is that no matter what you have there will always be something better. There will be a bigger flat screen TV, an updated video game system, a better computer, a newer or faster car, a bigger house… You can spend your whole life chasing after something that you will never be able to attain when all that you ever needed was right in front of you today. Learning to be content with today while working hard to reach some goals that you have for tomorrow is the best way to find fulfillment in life. Most of the things we chase do not bring about satisfaction in life, it is the relationships that you are able to foster with others along the way. If those relationships are right, then no matter where you live, what car you drive, how many material things you have, your life will always be satisfying.

I think that the message we send to people in our society today is that the more you have, the more people look up to you, and not that the character and conduct with which you live your life are what bring you that adoration. It is a shame, because one brings about a sense of emptiness and the other a sense of fulfillment. When you chase money and material things it is difficult to also have relationships built on respect, integrity, decency, and love. When you seek to foster meaningful relationships, it is very possible to also have money and material things. It has become very clear to me in my life that while I would enjoy both things, the logical path is to seek to build relationships first so that perhaps I can enjoy the things I may be able to attain with those who also value me as a human being and know that I also placed their value well above the things I possess.

Have an awesome Friday and a great weekend,

Mr. Cox

Assistant Principal
Garden Spot High School