"E Notes"
Our Schools, Our Kids, Our Future
From the Desk of Superintendent Adams
Good Intentions
Happy New Year! This is the second time this school year I have started a newsletter with those words. As January is the annual time of New Year’s resolutions and promises of what the year will bring, I am sure that many thought I was going batty making resolutions and setting goals in August. While summertime is an opportune time to discuss school goals with children, it is estimated that over 65% of adults make New Year’s resolutions in January. (Unfortunately, only about 8% actually succeed.) One resolution that can be simple to make and keep is the act of appreciating others. Many of us start with good intentions, but they soon fizzle out.
I honestly believe that if our good intentions were realized, there would be more than enough encouragement, congratulations and “thank yous” to make all of Palacios feel good. Unfortunately all too often we do not follow through with our intentions. The “thank yous” go unsaid, the encouragement is never received, and the congratulations are overlooked. I will begin the new year on the right foot and hope to continue throughout the year with some well deserved “thank yous”:
1. First of all, thanks to all the instructional and professional staff members who work so diligently every day to ensure each child makes educational and social gains. It has been a challenging first semester this year preparing for a new state accountability system and learning a district-wide student/business system while being in only the second year
of implementing a more stringent scope and sequence. I truly appreciate you!!!!
2. Thank you to all the parents/guardians who ensure that your children get to school on time, help with homework and support the teachers and staff. A special thanks also to the moms and dads who work with us to address concerns.
3. I truly appreciate all our volunteers who assist staff members, work with students, and assist at the Marine Center. Many of you give of your time, energy and resources unselfishly.
4. Thanks to the parents and community members who support our Sharks and Sharkettes as well as their coaches and sponsors in athletic contests, choir concerts, band concerts, theater productions and the many, many other numerous
extracurricular and co-curricular activities throughout PISD.
5. Thank you to the students who come to school (especially those with perfect attendance) and those willing to work hard which made us a ‘Recognized’ district once again.
6. A special thank you to our support staff such as the cafeteria workers, custodians, secretaries, technology staff,
maintenance crew, and transportation staff. These support personnel take much pride in ensuring all staff and students are well cared for and that the facilities are maintained extremely well.
7. I also truly appreciate the students who have pride in our schools and are respectful to our teachers, administrators and other students.
8. Thanks to all my colleagues for allowing me to work beside them as we strive to provide the best possible educational opportunities for PISD students.
9. And this one may seem silly, but thank you to all of you who say “thank you” and offer words of encouragement! In the school business, whether a student, parent, employee or community member, we often hear the negative. I truly
appreciate the many who have had such kind, encouraging words for me and others in this school district. It only makes
me want to work more diligently as I am sure it does the others in the district.
For good intentions to be effective, they must be followed with action. Being an encourager, a congratulator, or just a thoughtful person does not have to be a troublesome chore. By making the process simple and part of your everyday activities, you can be the positive person you want to be – not just the person you think about becoming.
Here’s to you in 2012! Wishing you peace, happiness, words of encouragement and lots of belly laughs!