Jacob’s Journal: September 4

Having just finished over 35 individual meetings with each of you, worked with the leadership team on a variety of topics, and collaborated together during faculty meetings, I am starting to get a sense of where we stand as a high school.

I believe that we have a very strong foundation as a division.  In fact, this is one of the most dedicated, time-tested, diverse, and pedagogically sound staffs I have worked with in my 20 year career.  You care deeply about our students and are eager to guide them through a challenging part of their lives.  At the same time, I acknowledge that this division has seen its share of excitement and uncertainty over the last few years.

Please bear with me as I share a metaphor with you.

Please join me as we strap on our helmets, start our bikes and begin a journey together.  During this journey, I ask that you look forward towards the future.  At the same time, let’s watch our peripheral vision for obstacles (cars and pedestrians) that might slow our movement. Along the way, we will add some clearly marked road signs to increase communication and transparency, so we stay in sync with each other’s movements. However, let’s occasionally check our rearview mirror to remind us of where we have been so we can avoid mistakes from our past and chart a course for our future with historical context as a reference.  Inevitably, we will run into traffic and potholes that might temporarily impede our progress.  This is normal and to be expected, as we clarify our final destination, which will bring common vision and goals of the high school.

Put the key in the ignition, kick start your scooters and let’s go…