Turn! Turn! Turn!

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.”

These words, attributed to Solomon, were written thousands of years ago and set to music several generations ago by folk singer, Pete Seger. If you’re close to my age, you may recognize them from the music of “The Byrds”. The words ring just as true today as when they were first put down in verse. They are timeless, because we all go through seasons in our life and we gain wisdom when we recognize not only our own seasons, but the seasons of others.

As a principal, I try to recognize the seasons that my staff and students are going through and support them accordingly. Those with young children may find it difficult to make early morning meetings. Those caring for aging parents may need to leave promptly after school to become a caretaker. Those adding to their family or getting married are focused on new family ties. Those with children graduating high school or attending college are navigating ways to support their children from afar. Those suffering the loss of a loved one or the end of a relationship may need comforting. Going through these seasons does NOT make an educator less valuable, it makes them more valuable, because they are better able to connect with students and colleagues as they go through pivotal life events.

As educators, it can be easy to beat ourselves up as we go through the various seasons of our life and feel that we can’t always give 100% of our hearts and energy to our students. Don’t feel bad, it simply means your human. And our students need all the human connections they can get from caring adults who recognize and support them through the seasons they are going through!

“Every new season of your life will be an opportunity for you to learn and grow.” – Theresa Lewis

“Everything is in the process of either coming into being or expiring.” – Kilroy J. Oldster

“You can’t enter into a new season, until you’re willing to leave the old one.” – Joe Joe Dawson

Michelle Adams Sandra Benson

Monday, May 6: Celebrate Monday Assembly 9:05 AM, iReady Window 3 Opens
Tuesday, May 7: Achievement Team 8:15 AM, Talent Show!
Wednesday, May 8: IEP (Kurtjian) 8:15 AM, Elementary Principals Meeting 1:00-4:30 PM
Thursday, May 9: CLT 7:50-8:50 AM (Bring Yellow Sheet)
Friday, May 10: Jon to Lansing for MEMSPA Board Meeting, Laura & Dan Wedding!

Monday, May 13: Celebrate Monday Assembly 9:05 AM
Tuesday, May 14: 4th Grade to Riley in AM, Grouping Meetings K-3 (Rotating Subs in AM)
Thursday, May 16: No Staff Meeting, Art Showcase (K-4) & Music Concert (1-4) 6:00-8:00 PM
Thursday, May 23: Volunteer Breakfast 8:00 AM
Friday, May 24: M-STEP Ends, Students & Staff dismissed at 12:10 PM