Falling leaves

"Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn."
- Elizabeth Lawrence


Monday, October 10 as I drove up to work, the leaves were at their peak colors. They almost looked surreal to me. After the rain and wind on Wednesday, many of the leaves had been blown from the trees. The leaves turning colors and blowing around happens in such a short period of time, we barely notice them because of all the preparations we do for the eventual onset of winter. It’s too bad that our nature is to fully appreciate something only after it is gone. I truly miss the leaves.

Education, as a year-round “sport” that changes constantly and provides new challenges and opportunities, is similar to the fall season. We work at the start of the school “season” to prepare our students for the rigors of the curriculum in their new grade level; with no time to notice, students gain new skills and understandings to meet accountability requirements. Then they move on. And we truly miss them.

Fortunately for my love of both the fall season and the school cycle of teaching and learning, the cycle continues, and I get to experience both again. Further, to make these phenomena a little easier to take, we are fortunate to know with confidence that the trees—and our children—get taller and stronger every year, showing us that a lot of good comes with the passage of the seasons.

Teachers and administrators follow a similar but lengthier path: because CCSD staff members are actively engaged in improving their skills, they successfully respond to the changing needs of students and state and produce stellar results, as shown on state assessments and audits.

Congratulations to our Red Devils football team on their first victory; getting that first win on Homecoming Night was the icing on a great game. When I am approached about our football teams’ record, I like to ask them about what Chuck Noll’s record was at the end of his first season in 1969?” (Do you know what it was?) It was 1-13. Of course we all know he was the only coach to go on and win four Super Bowl rings. My point is that success does not usually happen overnight. I might also point to several pro football teams whose owners see fit to replace a new coach after one or two poor seasons; with little continuity in coaching, these teams don’t seem to fare much better even under “new and improved” coaches. I see our youth athletes working hard at every practice, and coaches spending more time watching films, scouting opponents and putting in extra time at practices to prepare for the next game. I applaud all of our coaches as they not only prepare our athletes for the next game, meet or tournament, but as they prepare them for a lifetime of fair play and ethics through sports.

Mark your calendars: the official dedication of our middle school will be held Tuesday, October 25 at 6pm. The event will showcase how proud we are of this building as a safe environment in which our students blossom and grow.

Until next month’s blog, enjoy each day, each season and each Steeler game (I had to put in a plug for the Steelers as they need all the help they can get).

Dr. D