This week, I was channel surfing and came across the 80’s classic, “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure”. Now, when I first saw this film in high school, I was not a fan. The goofy humor and cheesy story line was lost on me. Years later, I watched it as an adult and chuckled through most of the film. Watching it with daughters who are now about the same age as I was when it came out, I feel a sense of nostalgia and actually laugh out loud at the absurd comedy. But the thing that stood out to me most of all this time as I watched the movie was its positive message. Throughout the film, the theme of “Be excellent to each other” is expressed by Bill and Ted and is reflected in the future society they help to establish. It’s even the closing phrase of Abraham Lincoln during the history project presentation. In a world of breaking news that seems to be a constant stream of negativity, violence and intolerance, that simple message of “Be excellent to each other” in a silly and fun way was just what I needed to hear. I was also happy to have my daughters hear it as well, even if they didn’t get the humor (just as I didn’t at their age).
At school, we remind students to be safe, kind, and responsible. We talk about empathy and model respectful interactions. In short, we promote a culture of being excellent to one another! I’ve often said that we spend far too many hours at school, not to have fun and feel joy while we are here. Yes, we need to take our jobs seriously, but we don’t need to take ourselves too seriously. I’m not ready to take down our Buchanan Bear to put up a Bill and Ted poster, but I do think their message is one that we should be promoting in school and their example of goofy humor is a good reminder to have fun while we are at work. If you see a parent who is concerned, offer them reassurance. If you see a coworker who is overwhelmed, offer her some support. If you see a student who is sad, offer him a smile. If you need some inspiration, don’t be afraid to do something special for yourself. We are a team and we need to take care of one another and follow the advice of Bill and Ted and “Be excellent to each other!”
Socrates: “Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives.”
Teacher: “Who was Joan of Arc?” Ted: “Noah’s wife?”
Bill to Billy the Kid: “You are dealing with the oddity of time travel with the greatest of ease!”
Dan Tricarico (The Zen Teacher)
Available in my office to borrow. Great read!!
- Monday, November 20: Celebrate Monday Assembly 9:05 AM
- Tuesday, November 21: Parent Meeting for D.T. (Pisko) 8:15 AM, REED for LJ (Trantham) 9:15 AM, Achievement Team meeting 2:35 PM, Goodfellows Pick Up
- Wednesday, November 22 – Friday, November 24: Thanksgiving Break!
- Monday, November 27: REED for PS (Trantham) 8:15 AM, Student of the Month Assembly (GRIT) 9:05 AM
- Tuesday, November 28: REED Follow Up for MB (Ringler) 8:15 AM, Achievement Team meeting 2:35 PM
- Wednesday, November 29: Battle of the Books Planning Meeting 8:20 AM in the LMC, Elementary Principals Meeting 1:00-4:30 PM
- Thursday, November 30: Staff Meeting 8:05 AM
- Friday, December 1: Records Day (Optional Report Day for Teachers)
- Santa Shop the week of December 11
- Thursday, December 14: 3rd & 4th Grade Music Concert 6:00-8:00 PM
The Spark of Learning 