Just like that, they were all back in their home away from home. Approximately 390 students returned to Carpenter after a shorter summer break. They energized the building with their smiles, laughter, and excitement. We anxiously await our 61 Kindergarnters who will be having their orientations on Wednesday or Thursday and then joining us on Friday. I had the ability to meet with every grade level and talk about the school year, our LIFE RULES, and expectations. Students took an oath with me today. They all raised their right hands and repeated that they will never say, "I CAN'T DO THAT" or will never say "I'M NOT GOOD AT THAT." We shared that they can only say those words if they attach the word, "YET." We talked about how everyone has the ability to accomplish what they want to do with effort, energy, and the belief that they can do it. We talked about setting goals for the year and the students, first through fifth, shared ideas they had about what they wanted to accomplish over the year. I found it interesting that our older students' goals focused more on grades and our younger students focused more on skills (and fun). I asked our older students who shared that they wanted to get "As" how they were going to get there. Once they identified skills or steps, I asked them to make improving those skills the goal rather than focusing on the "A." The grades will come, the improvement of skills and the learning it takes to get there is the important step. We told our students to not be afraid to make mistakes. We asked them to participate, to take risks, and not be afraid to ask for help. When discussing our Life Rules (Prepared, Respectful, Responsible, Safe) and talking about how to be respectful on the playground, I think every grade level had a student who shared the idea of "Including everybody" which provided me a proud moment about 5 times today. Our unwritten rule of "Everybody plays" continued to be reinforced. I ended our grade level discussions sharing the thought that baseball players who get a hit 3/10 times at the plate, tend to be considered pretty good hitters. We talked about how that means that 7/10 times, they're either striking out or failing at the plate. However, it is important to learn from each at bat and each failure, and to approach each time at the plate with the thought about success. I think it's important to remind our children that it is through failure that they learn. As educators and parents, although sometimes we want to protect our children and students from failure, it's important to remember through mistakes and failures that they grow and learn for their future. Quoting my favorite basketball player of all time:
I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.
We thoroughly enjoyed spending the day with your children and look forward to the year ahead. Thank you for sharing them with us!