Welcome! to the beginning of a new biennium and a new school year. When I was still teaching in the classroom, there was nothing more exciting to me than the first day of school. Unlike any other day of the school year, kids came to school bathed, dressed in new clothes, hair combed, wearing their biggest smiles and behaving their best to make good those first impressions. The anticipation, expectations and anxiety of that first day set the tone for the rest of the school year.
That’s somewhat how I feel as a first-time president of Alpha Sigma. I didn’t really know what to anticipate – ignorance is bliss – but I know our previous presidents have set the bar high. Being only 4’11”, I can barely reach the shower curtain bar, but with the phenomenal teachers who have already been so supportive, I think it will be a phenomenal year if not a phenomenal biennium.
I don’t say that lightly. Already we have had our first meeting which surpassed my expectations. Trish Stephenson arranged for us to fill “Goody Bags” with DKG literature and personal goodies that will be distributed to new teachers at area schools during their in-service. Our goal was 30 bags, but because of your participation, we were able to fill 40, and they were stuffed full!
Also, our interaction with the Brinkley Heights teachers over lunch was very productive. It’s a warm feeling to know the individuals we are helping, and to know what some of their teaching needs are. It becomes personal. It’s always necessary to have plenty of the typical school supplies, but working together, perhaps we can give them some of the things that usually are not donated, such as software for a 6th grade keyboarding class, simple and graphing calculators for lower and upper math classes, a class set of hand-held white boards with dry erase markers; recess toys such as balls, jump ropes and hula-hoops. This is only a partial list, but you get the idea, and perhaps some of you have resources and connections who would love to help.
Since this is a new biennium and a new beginning, it’s the perfect time to get involved. There are committees which need your help. Don’t wait to be asked. You know your interests and talents better than anyone. Volunteer and get involved. Get out of your comfort zone. You won’t regret it and you’ll be well-rewarded for it. T.S. Elliott said, “If you aren’t in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?” I’m short, but even I know that together, we can lift each other high enough to reach the stars! In fact, you’ve already done that.
That’s somewhat how I feel as a first-time president of Alpha Sigma. I didn’t really know what to anticipate – ignorance is bliss – but I know our previous presidents have set the bar high. Being only 4’11”, I can barely reach the shower curtain bar, but with the phenomenal teachers who have already been so supportive, I think it will be a phenomenal year if not a phenomenal biennium.
I don’t say that lightly. Already we have had our first meeting which surpassed my expectations. Trish Stephenson arranged for us to fill “Goody Bags” with DKG literature and personal goodies that will be distributed to new teachers at area schools during their in-service. Our goal was 30 bags, but because of your participation, we were able to fill 40, and they were stuffed full!
Also, our interaction with the Brinkley Heights teachers over lunch was very productive. It’s a warm feeling to know the individuals we are helping, and to know what some of their teaching needs are. It becomes personal. It’s always necessary to have plenty of the typical school supplies, but working together, perhaps we can give them some of the things that usually are not donated, such as software for a 6th grade keyboarding class, simple and graphing calculators for lower and upper math classes, a class set of hand-held white boards with dry erase markers; recess toys such as balls, jump ropes and hula-hoops. This is only a partial list, but you get the idea, and perhaps some of you have resources and connections who would love to help.
Since this is a new biennium and a new beginning, it’s the perfect time to get involved. There are committees which need your help. Don’t wait to be asked. You know your interests and talents better than anyone. Volunteer and get involved. Get out of your comfort zone. You won’t regret it and you’ll be well-rewarded for it. T.S. Elliott said, “If you aren’t in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?” I’m short, but even I know that together, we can lift each other high enough to reach the stars! In fact, you’ve already done that.