I shared this image with my staff last week because it challenged my thinking about goal setting and starting over. As educators, we are given the unique opportunity to start over at the beginning of each grading period or after long scheduled breaks, such as winter break or spring break. As each new year approaches, we are encouraged to set resolutions, but the message in the image reminds us to focus on doing something BETTER, not necessarily NEW. As we approach second semester and 2016, I encouraged staff and faculty to continue to think about the ONE THING each of us can do better rather than adding something new to our plate. We had a great first week back, which is captured in this brief Storify!

Staff News
As we approach the second semester, it is a good time to review some general expectations and procedures.

Expectations:
-Be Punctual- Punctuality is a sign of respect.
-Be Prepared- Prior planning prevents poor performance.
-Be Present- Be here daily and also be in the moment.
-Be Professional- Professionalism is knowing what to do, how to do it, and
doing it in a high quality manner.
-Be Positive- To change your situation, change your attitude.
-Play- Don’t take yourself too seriously.

Procedures:
-Attendance is to be taken daily each period via PowerSchool.
-Update teacher portals and Schoology on a weekly basis.
-Update grades on PowerSchool at minimum by the 10th and 25th and each month.
-Please return parent emails and phone calls within 24-48 hours.
These simple procedures are not only good practice, but they create a system of transparency and important communication to and with parents. The more accurate and up-to-date information we provide to parents as a service, the better partnerships we will establish with them and for our learners.

Students As Learners
Our Senior Seminar Early Presentations took place last week and our students demonstrated solid communication, research, and presentation skills. Their passion for their experience was evident as they shared their purpose for selecting their particular area of focus, their key learning points, and what they would do differently. I observed students sharing their experiences as an assistant coach on the football team, an intern with an obstetrician, and an intern with Young Life. Each presentation was uniquely different and was a demonstration of the student’s self-discovery. In fact, one student discovered that she does not want to pursue a career a medicine, but in communications. This is what Senior Seminar is all about. Congratulations to our Senior Team and our seniors for a job well done! For a few more Senior Seminar presentation topics, click here!

Athletic Update
The New Albany High School Hockey Team, in its first season at the Varsity level, has been a great success thus far. The Eagles presently have a 10-5-1 record, including a current unbeaten streak that sits at six games.
Season highlights have included traveling north over winter break to the hockey hot-bed of Cleveland and winning the Parma Redmen Christmas Tournament. Just prior to that, the Eagles beat arch-rival St. Francis DeSales for their first-ever Capital Hockey Conference victory.

The best moment of the season came this past Sunday night when the Eagles upset Olentangy Liberty, the tenth-ranked team in the state, by a three-two score. The hockey Eagles are led by Junior Ryan Sellars, who has 19 goals and seven assists and Senior Dom Vinciguerra, who has 13 goals and 11 assists. The Varsity Hockey team returned to action on Saturday night with a huge home contest against Gahanna Lincoln at 7:30 p.m. at the Easton Chiller. The JV team defeated the Lions 4-3, but Varsity lost 6-4. Both teams played extremely well.

Upcoming Events
Tuesday, January 12: Talent Show 7:00-8:00 p.m at the McCoy
Wednesday, January 13: House Matball Tournament
Thursday, January 14: House Matball Tournament
Friday, January 15: Last Day of Second Nine Weeks Grading Period
Monday, January 18: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Observance- No School

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Be Great,

Dwight

Food for Thought