Flashing Red, Kids Ahead!

Flashing Red, Kids Ahead!  Watch out for school buses in the morning.  They will be carrying our most precious assets.  I am excited about the new school year and all that it entails for our kids, staff, families and community.  Right now, every student has a perfect grade point and we haven’t had a single discipline referral.  We are undefeated in all of our competitions.  Parents and Staff are all being patient and kind with one another.  Bus Drivers are smiling and greeting kids as they enter our buses.  Our buildings are all shining and beautiful.  Teachers and Administrators are ready to greet, look our kids in the eye, pat them on the back and encourage them that they have what it takes.  We are all united in our efforts to make this our best school year to date.  

I had this picture pop up on my Facebook Memories this morning.  It is VERY Bittersweet.  Four years ago???  Madeline is starting the 10th grade this year…  How can this be?  I know all parents taste this as a new school year starts.  The turning of a page, a new chapter…  What does it hold?  I loved the last chapter so dearly….  I encourage you with the idea that the best is yet to come.  I also encourage you to be thankful that it happened.  Risk loving your kids and others so deeply that it hurts a little when change happens…  This is one characteristic of my and your best selves.  Embrace the new school year, stay involved in their education, make friends with their teacher and most importantly love your kids this year.  They need you.  They need us.  

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  Romans 15:13 

Saving Summer

We're to the point in the summer as an educator that the stress levels are rising quickly.  We have all had a lot of training this summer with more to come in the next few days.  Hopefully, we have all had some down time with family and friends as well.  The anticipation, the welcome challenge, the new opportunities and the fun of a new year will come in time but right now we are making final preparations and we have a lot of checklists (I love checklists) to work through.  I feel this myself and I see it in my teammates and students here at Ozark SD.  

Then, there is your own life to deal with.  Each start of school means my own beautiful children are one year closer to leaving my nest.  I do NOT like to think about such things.  I selfishly and by human nature want to freeze time and keep them with me, like this forever.  Safe and Sound, Beautiful and Innocent---Yet, I know the reality.  It isn't that they aren't ready.  It is me, I am not ready for my beautiful baby girls to be a 9th grader and a 7th grader...  My 4 year old son will be spending another wonderful year with his grandparents at the River Bluff Academy.  For some reason, that doesn't seem as urgently pressing and emotional.  "He's still little" is a thought I have a lot about him.  

My girls on the other hand are growing and changing daily it seems.  The last year of Middle School and the last year of Jr. High respectively...  Yikes and Wow--How did this happen so fast?!  Time really does fly when you're having fun.  I am reminded of a quote I read about regret that I'll have to paraphrase:  At the end of your life, you will have some regrets, one of them will NOT be the time you spent with your children.  Love them, hug them one more time, read them one more story, take another nap with them, watch a movie, toss the ball around, take them fishing~~Make time for at least one more summer blast.  

I know I am not alone in this state of mind.  Parents, Teachers and Students have a lot on their minds this time of year.  We are stressed, we are excited and we are anxious about new beginnings/the road ahead. We need each other by design and I encourage you to encourage one another.  We are in for a lot of fun this next school year.  Life is a Gift~~Live it to the Full

Here is a simple non-exhaustive list and challenge to focus on during this time of transition:

• Be Thankful
• Be Patient
• Be Kind
• Be Honest
• Be Humble
• Be Confident but not Arrogant
• Apologize First
• Say Thank You
• Listen without interrupting
• Hold Doors Open
• Smile

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!  Great Teachers are truly special and make big differences in human life, society and community.  They are change agents.  They intervene and support.  They encourage and inspire.  They are selfless, eternal optimists and believe in others with great passion.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to work alongside such great professionals that make a difference and do work that matters every day.   It would be impossible to appreciate your child’s teacher too much, go ahead and spoil them a little extra this week.  Think of teachers that have had a powerful positive influence in your life and send them a little message of thanks.  Thank you to all of the teachers that have put up with me through the years and to all of my co-worker teacher friends, past and present.  Let your LIGHT SHINE!  You ROCK!!  #HappyTeacherAppreciationWeek 

Father's Day

Being a dad is the craziest, hardest, most fun, rewarding and most fulfilling endeavor I've been blessed with on earth.  Sooooo thankful for my baby girls and boy.  I'm also very thankful for my dad and for all of the fun I've had and still get to have with him--My dad shared an unselfish life with me full of adventure, fun, family and hard work.  Thank you to all of the Dad's out there that love on their babies and help them through life.  Keep being the HERO!  Throw the ball around, talk, fish, wrestle, work and play...  It's often the little things that make up the big things in life.

A funny sidenote:  While reflecting and writing this note, two chances to be the hero have been presented.  1.  I'm rocking Hunter in his swing hoping he stays asleep for a bit while his momma gets ready for church.  2.   I have been summoned to a scorpion sighting in the bathroom.  I've successfully removed the scorpion threat for my girls.  The adventure continues...

"A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society."  Billy Graham

The Red Carpet Review

No one rolls out the red carpet like the Ozark Community.  Thank you Ozark Hillbilly Nation for all of the unity and support in hosting the 4A State Tournament.  There were approximately 5,000 tickets sold through the 4-day tournament and many compliments from people all over the state.  Hospitality and great organization were the themes along with great competition on the floor.  Ozark had about 80 volunteers deployed during most of the tournament, along with 30-40 staff members at any given time.  We had food donated, sponsors sending financial support, and people giving their time to pull this event together.  The city, county, and state were all wonderful and generous in their support as well.  Longtime OHS Principal and AD Mr. Jody Jenkins, our Tournament Director led this effort and did a wonderful job putting all of the pieces of the puzzle together.  This was all done for the kids in Ozark and the rest of the 4A kids in the state.

Congratulations to our Ozark Lady Hillbillies, Coach Nagel, and Richard for taking us to the State Finals game.  Thank you for the great season, leaving it all on the floor, and bringing Hillbilly Nation along for the ride.  It was a special year and we are so proud of you and your great accomplishments.

There is always such a healthy and supportive response from our community when it comes to supporting our kids and school.  I was told that we had approximately 1,000 fans at the State Finals. Thank you to our cheerleaders and their sponsor, Mrs. Fort, for all of the support and encouragement to our teams all year.  You ladies are special and lead the charge when it comes to cheering on our team.

It is such a blessing to get to see a community come together and rally behind our kids.  Thank You Hillbilly Nation----Go Hillbillies!

Jim Ford,

Superintendent Ozark SD

“Today, our way of living and our schools are much different; so many things have made living and learning easier.  But the real things haven’t changed.  It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with the simple pleasures and to be cheerful and have courage when things go wrong.” 

Laura Ingalls Wilder

We are getting geared up for another fantastic year at Ozark School District.  As summer winds down and we look at the first of school we will have a lot of opportunity for success and fun.  New beginnings are full of excitement and a certain degree of uncertainty.  Be of good courage and know you are equipped with what you need to handle the challenges that lie ahead.  Overcoming challenges and discomfort generally equate to growth, success and positive outcomes.  Let's grow together!  Together we are STRONG!  GO Hillbillies!!

Excellence in Education

At the bottom of my business card, it says "Excellence in Education." This is something we strive for here at Ozark Schools. I dug in a bit to this idea of "excellence" and my thoughts are as follows...

Excellence is a choice we all have the opportunity to make. It is a commitment to something that is of utmost importance to the person making the commitment. We have to decide what is important enough to us to make a commitment this challenging. We must realize we can’t be excellent at everything. If your desire is to be excellent in every area of your life, you’ll end up being spread too thin and probably good in a lot of areas, but truly excellent in nothing.

SO, What areas of your life do you want to be excellent in? It is my hope that school is an area you would be willing to commit. It is an area in my life that I’ve committed to being excellent in.

Excellence is often times very challenging and can be scary!!

When my daughter was very young and working on sleeping in her own bed she told me the following: “Daddy, sometimes you’re scared and then you just get used to it and get over it.” When you are committed to doing something, we all have this to face. New Ground is exciting for all of us, but also scary and out of our comfort zone.

When I think about excellence it means that something far exceeds expectations. Getting more than you paid for!! Classroom that is clean, organized, decorated and the teacher is brilliant, friendly, engaging and excited to have you in class. Excellence is being better today than you were yesterday. Better tomorrow than you are today. (Day to Day commitment) You are never finished with Excellence… You never arrive.

"We are what we constantly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit." Aristotle

Go Hillbillies!!