Weekly News and Notes

This is, in all likelihood, the last edition before school closes, so, as Jerry Springer would say, "Now it's time for my final thought."

It seems ironic in some ways that this last Weekly News for 2012-13 comes exactly one year after I came to Medway for my site visit. I remember it being a sweltering day, and I couldn't find my shoes. I started to sweat profusely, necessitating a change of shirt, and I arrived here for my afternoon tour and meetings with students, staff, and administrators. I remember some of the questions verbatim, the insight of the students, and the concerns that some folks had mapped out in our brief time together. I was actually a little nervous - after 11 years in one school, and six as an administrator, I was leaving everything and everyone I knew behind.

A year later, and I've learned much more than I could have imagined from all of you, our students, and the community. (And that's without going into MMS, something I'd never heard of, much less used, before this year).

I've learned about your frustrations and challenges, some of which I share.

I've learned about chaperoning fan buses and the rabid following our community and students have for our athletic teams.

I've learned about the effort and hard work so many of you put into 500+ Advanced Placement tests each spring, and what 90+% college-bound means.

I've learned about Atlas, Itslearning, PD360, Blackboard, Project Lead the Way, Carnegie, Links, Move, and IPEC... and probably a few other acronyms I'm forgetting.

I've learned that the concern about students roaming referenced in my interview last year really references the same half-dozen or so kids, who somehow still have tread on their sneakers.

I've learned that indoor graduation is more comfortable than outdoor graduation, once the thermometer goes above 85.

I've learned that scheduling needs to start in January.

I've learned that the wireless network does not work well in the gym or art corridor.

I've learned that people really care about what is written on the PD360 walk-through observations, and that the feedback inspires some great dialogue, albeit virtually.

I've learned that Medway students, contrary to popular belief, are NOT the worst dancers on the planet. I've seen worse. Though watching the awkward swayings of mostly Caucasian students to bad music is not my idea of a fun night.

I've learned that our kids genuinely care about each other, through a variety of actions, both subtle and explicit.

Ditto for our staff - toward each other and kids.

I've learned that I should have opened a Dunkin Donuts on the corner of 109 and 126 around 2003, though that probably would have meant not being here, for I would be retired on an island somewhere.

I've learned that most of our kids love to do well, and sometimes we just need to give them the context to do so. Thinking of the toy drive and body image presentation still gives me goose bumps.

I've learned that I don't need to bring breakfast the Friday after a payday, and that I probably shouldn't count carbs on those days either.

I've learned that being 20 minutes away from home makes for a much saner wife and happier daughter, who actually gets to see her father from time to time. Note: I didn't say much happier wife, even though I'm sure she is glad that I'm not 37 miles of country road away from home.

I've learned that an 8:04 start time is much more palatable than 7:10.

I've learned that people actually read my Twitter feed - 1200 tweets and 401 followers later. People actually read for various degrees of information, be it a retweet or a game update.

I've learned that the bench outside guidance is actually pretty comfortable - but that I could probably go longer than 54 minutes without sitting on it.

I've learned, somewhat recently, the difference between a variable and an unknown, the role of primary sources in education, the importance of writing, what people's dream classrooms would look like in terms of technology, and, all too often, what prospective applicants have done when confronted with a difficult student behavior. (Those are all variations on our application questions).

I've learned that promising 50 kids for the Medway Clean Sweep was a good idea, and bringing 120 was even better.

I've learned that Dave, Sue, Nadine, and Linda gave their lives to Medway High School, and that I'm proud and humbled to have worked with them despite for a short time.

I've learned how to schedule from a technological standpoint, and while the result doesn't make everyone happy, I hope I can keep getting better at it. Except study halls. I hate study halls.

I've learned that being department chair is, in fact, a challenge unto itself, and I will miss being the English department chair. Music, art, and PE: you're stuck with me.

I've learned that I can get my Weekly News out every Friday. Except once. But FirstClass was down that Friday night. Other than that, it was pretty religious, and I think people got a thing or two from it.

Finally, I've learned that we have done a lot, worked ourselves hard, and deserve a rest. While, as Robert Frost said, "we have miles to go before we sleep," we're at least at a rest stop and ready for that figurative nap.

So 365 days later, beads of sweat may still form in dealing with some aspects of Medway High School - the 95-degree graduation day comes to mind - but this no longer seems like a new place. I thank you for making the last calendar and academic year so professionally and personally meaningful. I share with anyone who asks how fortunate I feel to have landed at Medway High School, and I hope you all realize how much we all appreciate the hard work you put in on behalf of our students and our profession.

Coming Attractions

I hope to publish a summer edition highlighting our new hires, some info for the fall, and a state of the union, if you will, but right now, it's time to enjoy the start of a respite!