October 14, 2018
October Funk
I’ve been whining for years that we need a fall break in
October to anyone who will indulge me. The stretch of school from
September to November is the longest in the school calendar without a sustained
break. For me, it’s the month that feels like it’s dragging. I’m a
little more tired, a bit grumpy and moving with a little less patience than
normal. It’s easy for me to get wrapped up in my own feelings and
sometimes forget that what we do every day for kids needs to continue to happen
at the same level as the start of the school year.
Last Wednesday night, Mike and I got news that one of our kids
at our old school died by suicide. It’s still something we are
processing. Our kid was that kid that everyone knew whether she
was in your class or in your grade-you knew her or about her in some
capacity. She had a head full of red hair and the sass and attitude to
match it. She could send an adult straight over the edge with her smart
mouth but also make you catch your breath with a profoundness in her words that
wasn’t typical for her age. As Mike and I reminisced about all the antics
that came with our kid, he reminded me about a phrase we heard from a local
speaker years ago. John O’Leary is a local guy who at the age of 9
sustained burns over his entire body, 100%, after he set his garage on fire
while experimenting with gasoline. He was not expected to survive but he
did and now speaks about relationships and impact. One of the statements
he likes to use is to tell folks “I love you and there is nothing you can do
about it”. Mike reminded me that our kid was definitely that kid we had
to say that to over and over again and show it by showing up every day for
her. In the end, we hope she knew that her school family loved her and
the grownups didn’t give up.
Her passing was a kick in the heart reminder that yes, what
we do every day for kids is hard work, the hardest of any profession because we
hold kids in our hands. We don’t always know what is happening inside their
heads and what they are struggling with outside of school. What I do know
though is that how we receive them and hold them is important.
Relationships matter. For some kids, from the toughest ones that leave us
completely drained to the quieter ones we wonder about, we need to tell them “I
love you and there is nothing you can do about it”. So, I’m going
to stop whining about a Fall break that’s not going to show up anytime soon and
just practice better self-care and be grateful for the big and small moments in
my life. I hope you are all taking care and being good to yourselves too.
SLT Meeting
SLT (School Leadership Team) will be meeting tomorrow at
3:35pm in the library.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Our PT Conferences begin on Tuesday. Meals will be
provided each day. Beverages and dessert will also be provided by our
awesome Social Courtesy team. On Tuesday and Thursday, meals will be
ready to go right at 3:30pm so head on down once the building is cleared.
On Wednesday, lunch will be ready to go at 12pm.
Tuesday is pizza and salad, Wednesday is a baked potato bar
and Thursday is a taco bar.
No School
October 19th is our comp day for
conferences. Enjoy your day off recuperating from the long PT nights.
Ivory Crockett Run
Come join the fun at the annual Ivory Crockett Run on
Saturday, October 20th. It’s not too late to sign up and join
the run fun. All the money raised goes to support our grants
awarded by the Foundation.
Halloween Trunk or Treat
On October 27th, the Gathering Church will be
hosting a trunk or treat in the Elm Lot from 5-7pm. They have extended an
invitation to Hixson folks to come out with kids and join the
festivities. If you can’t make it but would like to donate candy for the
kids, please drop it off in the main office and we will get it to them.
Marigold Sunday
You never know what adventure the book fair will
bring...this is a shout out to Gail Tumminello for always rocking the book
fair! When I walked in the other day I was reminded of a fashion design kit
Gail recommended from the book fair for my daughter. Now, a few years later my
daughter is still using that kit to design images of outfits and she and my Mom
are planning to find a pattern and make one of her designs...ALL because of the
inspiration of the book fair!!! Thank you Gail, I know this is a lot of work
for you and your crew!
Sarah Bodi
Outs This Week
Aimee, Mike and I are out on Thursday from 8-12ish for a DLT
meeting at CO
Have a great week.
With gratitude,
Grace
Grace
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