Investing In Others

Yesterday we celebrated the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. His powerful messages of nonviolence, tolerance and love that he shared with the world in inspirational speeches and brilliant writings defined the American civil rights movement. His words are just as important today and perhaps needed now more than ever. Later this week we prepare for the swearing in of our 45^th President of the United States, and there has possibly never been a time in recent history where the nation has seemed so divided, so uncertain, and so apprehensive about our future.

So the timing of this annual celebration of Dr. King couldn’t have been any better. It reminds us that the power for great change lies within each of us in how we live our lives; with selflessness, humility, courage, empathy and tolerance. We have the obligation to ensure that the message of Dr. King isn’t simply celebrated one day a year, but rather his work becomes ingrained in how we live and how we shape the future in each of our communities.

 “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The most powerful and important work that each of us can do in our lives is to invest in others. And the most powerful and important lesson that our children and our students can learn from us is that we all have the incredible ability to lift others up; through our words and our actions. We are all built to help others. We are all built to live a life of service. In simple gestures like holding a door for someone; smiling and saying hello; inviting someone to sit with us who was eating alone; shoveling someone’s driveway; talking to others respectfully even when we disagree; forgiving others when they make a mistake; volunteering your time; listening to other people – not to form a response, but to actually listen to what they are saying and feeling – all of those little things, that is how we change the world. Those are the essential lessons that we should be modeling for our children and expecting to see from them at home, at school and in the community. All the time. And then call them on it when we don't.  

We must embrace the simple concept that other people matter. All people matter. If we live our lives in a way that has each of us asking ourselves each day, “what am I doing for others?,”  the world will be a much better place. From the President-elect and each of us to our children and students alike, our words and actions matter. Through simple selfless acts of investing in others, we are all perpetuating Dr. King’s powerful messages of sacrifice, tolerance and love that can define this generation and become the foundation for great change. Not just one day a year, but each and every day. 

January Update

It is hard to believe that we are quickly approaching the second semester of the school year. While we focus on finishing this year strong, it is also time to begin planning for the 2017-2018 school year. Scheduling letters were just sent home to our families of students in all three grades to provide an overview of the different course requirements and possible electives that they can take as they begin to think about the next school year.

In addition to the letters, school counselors have been connecting directly with our 8^th grade students to discuss the scheduling process and the opportunities that students have as they prepare to make the move to the High School. An important component in the scheduling process and transition to the High School for our 8^th grade students is our 8^th Grade Parent Night which will take place on Tuesday, January 24^th at the West Genesee High School Auditorium at 7:00 PM.

All Students Can Achieve Great Things

At the start of the school year you may remember me discussing our entire staff engaging in a summer reading of the book Mindset by Carol Dweck, Ph.D. in one of my blogs. During our faculty meetings this school year we have been diving into the book and learning a great deal about the science of motivation, the value of meaningful feedback and the power of our words when we speak to our children in a school setting, at home and on the athletic fields. With effort, motivation, perseverance and a variety of strategies and approaches, all of our students can achieve great things in school and in their other pursuits.

While working closely with Mrs. Lozier, Camillus Middle School Principal, on this staff professional development, we thought that it would be extremely valuable and worthwhile to put together a middle level workshop for parents to share some of the really powerful things that we have discovered. With that, please mark your calendar for the Got Growth Mindset! Presentation on January 31st at 6:30 PM at West Genesee Middle School in the cafeteria. In one hour we will share with you strategies, tips and examples of how to help build a growth mindset with your child at home and what we can do as adults to build more resilient children. Working with nearly 700 young adolescent student-athletes, student-musicians, and their parents on a daily basis, I can assure you that we need to build more resiliency in our kids. We hope you will join us on January 31^st.

Continued Success,

Steve Dunham

Twitter: @Sdunhamwgms

Email: sdunham@westgenesee.org