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.

The 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