Well, it has officially happened. As I visited classrooms last Friday and this week, it appears we are finally hitting the school groove in full stride. At some point in each school year, there is a new feeling on campus where calm arrives in the middle of the day to day. The calm describes our students and teachers who have made it together through a period of time where classes are finalized, the first tests and major assessments have taken place, and everyone is used to their new day to day schedule. This time happens a little different each year, and you may even feel this in your house as well as you have adjusted to the new routine for this school year. Each year can be very different but there is eventually a new normal established in our daily routines. Our students have solved their daily travel patterns on and off campus, have established studying techniques based on their courses and individual teachers, and settled into their extracurricular and off campus activities. Simply put, folks have found their routine. It almost reminds me of when Tony is walking through Brooklyn in Saturday Night Fever with a new attitude………. We would like to remind you that we will have our first Early Release Day next Tuesday. We will begin classes at our usual time and end two hours earlier at 2:15 pm. This time will be spent on teacher professional development. Next Tuesday evening will be our first No Homework Night of the school year. Westlake High School was the first campus to have No Homework Nights in Eanes ISD during the spring of 2009 (if my memory serves me correctly). We began No Homework Nights as a way to alleviate student stress periodically at the high school level. After we were successful doing this for over a year and half, the district adopted these nights for the entire district to have as family nights. We would like to take this chance to congratulate Coach Al Bennett for winning over 1,000 games in his career at Westlake High School. We would also like to thank all the volleyball players over the last 30 years for their efforts. Only three coaches in the state of Texas have won over 1,000 games. Coach Bennett has been a mentor for young coaches and teachers for many years at WHS. When we had the chance to honor Coach Bennett on this special evening, it was special for us since we have taught, coached, and collaborated on this campus for well over 500+ victories - lots of positive and not so positive experiences over this time period. One of our counselors, Caty Broderick, took this picture and felt this picture describes a career well spent and the value of a dear friendship forged through a school setting in a wonderful community. We hope everyone has a delightful weekend!
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Steve Ramsey: WHS Principal BlogPrincipal's Weekly Reflections Archives
May 2019
|