“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively
and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal
of true education.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
By Tommie Saylor
Kennedy High School Principal
For those of us back in the office, I guess this week was the
unofficial start of the 2016-2017 school year. We just finished our first week
back.
Though the time off this summer was enjoyable, it feels good to be
back in the office doing something productive. Speaking of which, I know
that back in June I sent out a series of questions regarding the dress code,
backpacks in the classroom and this year’s open house. To make a long
story short, the dress code will remain the same; backpacks will no longer be
allowed in classrooms; and our open house has been scheduled for Friday, September
9, just before the Kennedy–Truman football game.
I really don’t have anything to say about our dress code, since nothing
has changed. But no longer will backpacks be allowed in the classroom (of
course, exceptions will be made for Special Education students who have IEPs
that specify differently).
The “no backpack rule” is for both health and safety
reasons. For over 10 years, the Michigan State Police has asked schools
not to allow backpacks in the classroom, because the staff really has no idea
what the students may have in their backpacks, potentially creating a dangerous
situation for all those in the classroom. Secondly, for health reasons, we
don’t want backpacks in the classroom. Over the last couple of years when
we would occasionally have an issue with a bed bug, these bugs were often being
found on student’s backpacks. So, a student who brings their backpacks in
class and sets it next to another student’s backpack creates a potential health
risk. In addition, the middle schools in our district have not allowed
backpacks in the classroom for years, and it is about time that we “get on board”
and follow their lead.
See attachment regarding backpacks and the dress code sent home in
the August mailing.
Also see the attachment regarding the Kennedy Open House on September
9. We picked this day because it is the day of the Kennedy–Truman football
game, and we hope that this will draw a bigger crowd. We want the open
house to be a carnival-type atmosphere, and to this end, we want to have games
such as “corn hole”, “ring toss”, and such in the halls for all to play.
We also want to display last year’s senior projects, trophies
earned and impressive student work. I envision having the band in one
corner playing a few selections, perhaps I can talk Mr. Green into another
corner of the hall playing the piano, our JROTC demonstrating their drilling
expertise as they march through the halls and displays showing our various
clubs to include the NHS, chess club, D&D club, culture club, etc.
I can also envision Ms. Hall presenting the wonders of our
Interwrite Boards to our parents, Ms. Phillips explaining and demonstrating our
credit recovery and PLATO programs, and Ms. Russell showing off past art
projects. In essence, I want to entertain and inform our parents, while
at the same time showing off all that Kennedy has to offer the students of our
community.
As for the instructional staff (teachers, ATAs, and the such), the
first day you are required to report is the September 6. But, we have
activities in which you are highly encouraged to voluntarily attend taking
place on the August 30-31. Kennedy’s opening staff meeting will take place
on the August 30 starting at 8 a.m. in the Media Center. At this meeting,
the administration’s expectations for the upcoming school year will be
detailed, as well as a review of procedural and structural specifics. At
10 a.m. we have representatives from Wayne Mediation coming in to explain their
program and referral process. In the afternoon, starting at 12:15, we
will gather at Hoover Middle School to examine the Thoughtful Classroom Teacher
Evaluation process that will be utilizes this next school year.
On August 31,
District level Curriculum PD will be held at Truman from 7:30-11 a.m., and in
the afternoon, from 11:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., everyone will have the opportunity
to work on a PD video assignment on your own back at Kennedy High School.
I cannot express enough the importance of these two days, how
these two days set the tone for the rest of the school year, and how these two
days can get you off on the “right foot” for that which awaits ahead. In addition,
please see attached regarding this year’s bell schedule.
Finally, this year at all times please keep in mind, that though
we often spend a lot of time discussing the “nuts and bolts” of our profession,
the underlying purpose and the very foundation of all our efforts are the students
of our community.
Each and every school day, for 180 days, we make a promise to the
parents of our students as they send their children off to school in the
morning, that in the afternoon we will return their children to them safe,
sound, and better for their experiences with us. Dedicate yourself to
keeping this promise, take solace in the knowledge that you will be helping
your students to find their greatness.
Helping students to find their greatness. Making Kennedy the
school of choice. Excellence by design.
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