This post will appear in the "PAW Print" newsletter on June 25, 2009:
When I think back to last summer, I remember the hope and excitement we felt at the prospect of our kids enrolling at this brand new charter school called “Endeavor.” The school was still empty – no furniture, books, teachers or students, and certainly no “PAWS” yet. It was definitely coming together, but for all intents and purposes it was still just the promise of a great school to come.
Since the school’s doors opened, PAWS has served and supported the school in ways that have exceeded all expectations. By the end of 4th quarter, we will have raised over $150,000, run more than 70,000 cars through dropoff & pickup lines, served over 24,000 café days meals, supervised more than 3,600 lunch & recess periods, provided nursing and general office support, built playground fences & storage areas, and the list goes on and on.
So as we approach this summer and close out our inaugural year, I feel a great sense of pride for the ways in which our parent community has stepped up for Endeavor. In addition, I’m happy to say that I still feel that same hope and excitement I remember from last summer. Most of all, I am truly grateful for the leadership of the Endeavor Board, for the vision of the founders of this school, for the talents and dedication of our teachers, for the wonderful friendships we have formed, and for the honor the PAWS membership bestowed upon me to serve as president during this first year.
All the best,
John
Monday, June 15, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The Other Charter
This post will appear in the "PAW Print" newsletter on May 28, 2009::
Now that I’ve nearly completed my first year as a charter school parent, it’s clear to me that a successful charter school is really about two charters and both of them are equally important. The first charter, of course, is the one that the school has with the State of North Carolina, which is all about meeting the standards for schools set by the state. It’s also about realizing the vision laid out in the charter application for what makes the school different, which comes about by implementing the educational philosophies behind the vision.
The “Other Charter” is the one the parents have with the school to serve and support it. In order to work, the Other Charter needs full participation because the role of parents in a charter school is so critical to the basic operation of the school that if the school had to pay vendors to provide the services that our parent volunteers provide, the numbers just would not add up and the school would have to close. As a result, both charters are necessities for Endeavor to operate and succeed. We’ve had so many successes this year, and many of them are due to the way that our parents have stepped up and kept the Other Charter alive.
If you are among the few that have not found your groove as a charter school parent, please contact me at paws.president@endeavorcharter.com and I might have some suggestions for you. If your daytime hours are limited, there are many ways you could help the school in the evening or on weekends. Of course, during the day there are many opportunities to help – both at the school, or from your home or office. For those of you that are involved, thank you so much for your time and dedication. And remember that as a member of PAWS you have a voice – please participate in the PAWS General Membership meetings or come observe one of the PAWS Board meetings. The next Board meeting is at 6:30pm on Tue., June 16 in the multipurpose room. This letter appears as a post in my blog – click on the link below my name and post a comment if you like.
All the best,
John
Now that I’ve nearly completed my first year as a charter school parent, it’s clear to me that a successful charter school is really about two charters and both of them are equally important. The first charter, of course, is the one that the school has with the State of North Carolina, which is all about meeting the standards for schools set by the state. It’s also about realizing the vision laid out in the charter application for what makes the school different, which comes about by implementing the educational philosophies behind the vision.
The “Other Charter” is the one the parents have with the school to serve and support it. In order to work, the Other Charter needs full participation because the role of parents in a charter school is so critical to the basic operation of the school that if the school had to pay vendors to provide the services that our parent volunteers provide, the numbers just would not add up and the school would have to close. As a result, both charters are necessities for Endeavor to operate and succeed. We’ve had so many successes this year, and many of them are due to the way that our parents have stepped up and kept the Other Charter alive.
If you are among the few that have not found your groove as a charter school parent, please contact me at paws.president@endeavorcharter.com and I might have some suggestions for you. If your daytime hours are limited, there are many ways you could help the school in the evening or on weekends. Of course, during the day there are many opportunities to help – both at the school, or from your home or office. For those of you that are involved, thank you so much for your time and dedication. And remember that as a member of PAWS you have a voice – please participate in the PAWS General Membership meetings or come observe one of the PAWS Board meetings. The next Board meeting is at 6:30pm on Tue., June 16 in the multipurpose room. This letter appears as a post in my blog – click on the link below my name and post a comment if you like.
All the best,
John
Monday, May 4, 2009
Into the Homestretch
This post will appear in the "PAW Print" newsletter on May 7, 2009:
It’s hard to believe that we’ve almost completed our first year, but it’s true. At our last PAWS general membership meeting, we voted in next year’s PAWS Board of Directors and they will begin their terms after fourth quarter ends.
I’d like to call for a round of applause for Karin Reed, president; Kris Stauffer and Karen Josloff, co-VPs of Fundraising; Liz Green and Karen Johnson, co-VPs of Volunteers & Communications; Christina Cermin, VP of Programs & Services; Kristy McClure, treasurer; and April Lee and Karen Lynn, co-secretaries.
If you are interested in heading a PAWS committee next year, get in contact with the appropriate Vice President for next year, since they appoint the committee chairs. The list of committees and their VPs are on the Endeavor Web Site. And please don’t forget that there is always a need for people on all of the committees.
And of course, thank you for all of your hard work this year.
All the best,
John
It’s hard to believe that we’ve almost completed our first year, but it’s true. At our last PAWS general membership meeting, we voted in next year’s PAWS Board of Directors and they will begin their terms after fourth quarter ends.
I’d like to call for a round of applause for Karin Reed, president; Kris Stauffer and Karen Josloff, co-VPs of Fundraising; Liz Green and Karen Johnson, co-VPs of Volunteers & Communications; Christina Cermin, VP of Programs & Services; Kristy McClure, treasurer; and April Lee and Karen Lynn, co-secretaries.
If you are interested in heading a PAWS committee next year, get in contact with the appropriate Vice President for next year, since they appoint the committee chairs. The list of committees and their VPs are on the Endeavor Web Site. And please don’t forget that there is always a need for people on all of the committees.
And of course, thank you for all of your hard work this year.
All the best,
John
Friday, April 17, 2009
Keeping a Positive Frame of Mind
I have been very fortunate at key points in my life to hear words of wisdom from some interesting people from all walks of life. At times, the impact of the words immediately register with me and the moment becomes unforgettable, and then there are times when it’s only upon reflection that the implications become apparent and then the message itself is what becomes unforgettable.
One such unforgettable message came from quite an unexpected person, especially considering how diametrically opposed my view of the world is from this individual. Newt Gingrich was the keynote speaker two years ago for a national healthcare & life sciences Executive Conference that my work group at SAS organizes annually. Since leaving the House of Representatives as Speaker, Mr. Gingrich has founded the Center for Health Transformation, an organziation dedicated to creating a 21st Century Intelligent Health System that saves lives and saves money for all Americans. Along the way, he has earned the respect and recognition of people on “both sides of the aisle” for his thoughtful positions on heatlh care reform and related topics.
It was on the question of healthcare reform needed in our country that Mr. Gingrich provided one of those “delayed reaction” words of wisdom that my teammates and I picked up on as we reviewed the conference a week later to plan for the following year’s conference. Since then, I have applied the idea at work and it has become one of the tenets that help guide me through almost any decision-making process.
He said that providing universal health insurance coverage is not at all impossible, and that one of the biggest obstacles is simply the approach to the problem. Here is the golden nugget: he further added that if force yourself to begin any answer to any problem with the words “Yes, if…” and suppress the urge to say “No, because…” it focuses the framing of the problem (and therefore the solution) on a positive outcome. Please think about that for a second.
Of course, his response was much more complex than what I paraphrased, and it was followed by about 15 minutes of examples to illustrate the point. But the core idea was that so much more can be accomplished by envisioning a positive outcome and consistently working towards that goal, than spending any time focusing on reasons why not to do it.
From what I’ve seen, the administration at Endeavor has gotten this school to where it is with “Yes, if…” answers. And for that I am truly grateful. It’s amazing what you can accomplish simply by keeping a positive frame of mind.
All the best,
John
One such unforgettable message came from quite an unexpected person, especially considering how diametrically opposed my view of the world is from this individual. Newt Gingrich was the keynote speaker two years ago for a national healthcare & life sciences Executive Conference that my work group at SAS organizes annually. Since leaving the House of Representatives as Speaker, Mr. Gingrich has founded the Center for Health Transformation, an organziation dedicated to creating a 21st Century Intelligent Health System that saves lives and saves money for all Americans. Along the way, he has earned the respect and recognition of people on “both sides of the aisle” for his thoughtful positions on heatlh care reform and related topics.
It was on the question of healthcare reform needed in our country that Mr. Gingrich provided one of those “delayed reaction” words of wisdom that my teammates and I picked up on as we reviewed the conference a week later to plan for the following year’s conference. Since then, I have applied the idea at work and it has become one of the tenets that help guide me through almost any decision-making process.
He said that providing universal health insurance coverage is not at all impossible, and that one of the biggest obstacles is simply the approach to the problem. Here is the golden nugget: he further added that if force yourself to begin any answer to any problem with the words “Yes, if…” and suppress the urge to say “No, because…” it focuses the framing of the problem (and therefore the solution) on a positive outcome. Please think about that for a second.
Of course, his response was much more complex than what I paraphrased, and it was followed by about 15 minutes of examples to illustrate the point. But the core idea was that so much more can be accomplished by envisioning a positive outcome and consistently working towards that goal, than spending any time focusing on reasons why not to do it.
From what I’ve seen, the administration at Endeavor has gotten this school to where it is with “Yes, if…” answers. And for that I am truly grateful. It’s amazing what you can accomplish simply by keeping a positive frame of mind.
All the best,
John
Monday, March 23, 2009
Rising to the Challenge
This post will appear in the "PAW Print" newsletter on March 26, 2009:
Wow! My toes are still tapping from our all-school music concert! It reminded me of how fortunate we are to have 3 dedicated arts teachers at our school. As we near the end of the 3d quarter, the year’s end will be here before we know it. For PAWS, that means our nominating committee has been busy identifying a top-notch group of individuals for us to vote on for next year’s PAWS Board at our April 23 meeting. Please be sure you come to cast your vote.
Having been involved in my children’s previous schools – one public and one private – I have seen first hand how a charter school’s dependence on parent participation is truly exceptional. Fortunately for Endeavor, we have an equally exceptional community of parents that has risen to the challenge and gone above and beyond to support the school this year.
Thanks to everyone who has volunteered so far this year – and there will be more opportunities to help in the 4th quarter. As you look to next year, consider the many committee chair positions as a way to make a big impact. After the election, work with the respective VPs that appoint the committee chairs for their committees. Details can be found in the PAWS area of the Endeavor Web Site.
All the best,
John
Wow! My toes are still tapping from our all-school music concert! It reminded me of how fortunate we are to have 3 dedicated arts teachers at our school. As we near the end of the 3d quarter, the year’s end will be here before we know it. For PAWS, that means our nominating committee has been busy identifying a top-notch group of individuals for us to vote on for next year’s PAWS Board at our April 23 meeting. Please be sure you come to cast your vote.
Having been involved in my children’s previous schools – one public and one private – I have seen first hand how a charter school’s dependence on parent participation is truly exceptional. Fortunately for Endeavor, we have an equally exceptional community of parents that has risen to the challenge and gone above and beyond to support the school this year.
Thanks to everyone who has volunteered so far this year – and there will be more opportunities to help in the 4th quarter. As you look to next year, consider the many committee chair positions as a way to make a big impact. After the election, work with the respective VPs that appoint the committee chairs for their committees. Details can be found in the PAWS area of the Endeavor Web Site.
All the best,
John
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Spring Forward
This post will appear in the "PAW Print" newsletter on March 12, 2009.
It’s that time of year again when the plants start budding, the birds and the bees get busy and we humans lose an hour of sleep in exchange for later sunsets with daylight savings time (a tradeoff I happily make). This time of year is marked by religious festivals and other rites of spring to celebrate the spirit of renewal that coincides with warmth, sunshine and a new growing season. For sports fans, baseball season starts and the NFL gears up its draft. Household activities usually include some variation on the theme of spring cleaning.
So spring is all about renewing your focus on what’s important.
Please renew your commitment to Endeavor this Spring through the many ways that your volunteer time benefits the school. Many PAWS committees can always use some additional help, or maybe look into helping out with lunch & recess for a class that’s not your child’s. Talk with our nominating committee about being a candidate for a possible stint on the PAWS Board during Endeavor’s second school year. And dads - consider the ways that all kids benefit from having positive male role models and do what you can to be visibly present at the school.
The official start of spring happens at the vernal equinox, which falls this year on March 20. We don’t have to wait until then to renew our commitment to Endeavor.
All the best,
John
It’s that time of year again when the plants start budding, the birds and the bees get busy and we humans lose an hour of sleep in exchange for later sunsets with daylight savings time (a tradeoff I happily make). This time of year is marked by religious festivals and other rites of spring to celebrate the spirit of renewal that coincides with warmth, sunshine and a new growing season. For sports fans, baseball season starts and the NFL gears up its draft. Household activities usually include some variation on the theme of spring cleaning.
So spring is all about renewing your focus on what’s important.
Please renew your commitment to Endeavor this Spring through the many ways that your volunteer time benefits the school. Many PAWS committees can always use some additional help, or maybe look into helping out with lunch & recess for a class that’s not your child’s. Talk with our nominating committee about being a candidate for a possible stint on the PAWS Board during Endeavor’s second school year. And dads - consider the ways that all kids benefit from having positive male role models and do what you can to be visibly present at the school.
The official start of spring happens at the vernal equinox, which falls this year on March 20. We don’t have to wait until then to renew our commitment to Endeavor.
All the best,
John
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Weaving Kevlar
This post will be published in the Feb. 26, 2009 "PAW Print" Newsletter:
I’d like to take a moment to call your attention to something extraordinary that has happened at Endeavor, which I like to think of as “weaving kevlar.”
Our extraordinary school was founded based on a set of ideas about how to educate children well through experiential learning and the development of self-confidence with good citizenship. Based on that thread of good education, it’s to be expected that the school would attract parents who want the best possible education for their children, and that it would also attract excellent teachers who thrive in an environment where they are empowered to succeed.
As our children learn and grow, they develop friendships and lo and behold, their parents start developing friendships. And gradually we find ourselves having woven a social fabric through the school that’s strong and resilient because it’s based on core values that are rock-solid. Hence my thinking of it as weaving kevlar. In this ever-uncertain world we live in, I take great comfort in being a part of the kevlar we’ve woven at Endeavor.
On a separate note, we’ve formed a nominating committee to start the process of identifying the parents who would welcome the honor of serving on the PAWS board during the coming academic year (after July). The committee is headed by Ashley Garff, and includes Jennifer Viemont, Leann Bove, Lori Tolson and Michelle Boggis. Please consider this very gratifying way to be involved in the school.
All the best,
John
I’d like to take a moment to call your attention to something extraordinary that has happened at Endeavor, which I like to think of as “weaving kevlar.”
Our extraordinary school was founded based on a set of ideas about how to educate children well through experiential learning and the development of self-confidence with good citizenship. Based on that thread of good education, it’s to be expected that the school would attract parents who want the best possible education for their children, and that it would also attract excellent teachers who thrive in an environment where they are empowered to succeed.
As our children learn and grow, they develop friendships and lo and behold, their parents start developing friendships. And gradually we find ourselves having woven a social fabric through the school that’s strong and resilient because it’s based on core values that are rock-solid. Hence my thinking of it as weaving kevlar. In this ever-uncertain world we live in, I take great comfort in being a part of the kevlar we’ve woven at Endeavor.
On a separate note, we’ve formed a nominating committee to start the process of identifying the parents who would welcome the honor of serving on the PAWS board during the coming academic year (after July). The committee is headed by Ashley Garff, and includes Jennifer Viemont, Leann Bove, Lori Tolson and Michelle Boggis. Please consider this very gratifying way to be involved in the school.
All the best,
John
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Seize the Moment
This post will be published in the Feb. 12, 2009 "PAW Print" Newsletter
I am an occasional sports fan - usually too busy to follow any sport through its season and having moved enough times as an adult to have never bonded with any “home town” team. But I do try to watch the Super Bowl no matter who is playing, and I don’t think I will ever forget this past Super Bowl XLIII.
There were many great plays in the game, but the history-making whopper was when Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison intercepted a pass in the Arizona Cardinals’ end zone and took off like a bullet all the way to the Pittsburgh end zone 100 yards away for a surprise touch-down right before the end of the first half. It was a stunning and improbable moment made even more amazing because Harrison is a linebacker – a big guy who blocks opponents on the defensive line. They’re not expected to be fast & agile like their offensive teammates.
But with just seconds on the clock, Harrison seized the moment to become fast & agile and make Super Bowl history. As NBC re-played the interception and 100-yard dash over and over again and the commentators whipped us armchair quarterbacks into a frenzy, something else became quickly apparent.
It wasn’t simply a great moment for a talented linebacker, it was also a great moment for teamwork. Every 15 or 20 yards or so along the entire length of the field, Harrison’s team mates kept showing up to knock out the Cardinals that tried valiantly to tackle him. In those moments, James Harrison was able to seize the moment once he caught the ball to turn it into a touchdown because he had all his team mates behind him. But just as importantly, it was the Steelers’ winning team spirit that got them to the Super Bowl in the first place.
It’s that same winning team spirit that has brought Endeavor this far as an improbable success story sandwiched between the K-Mart and the K&S Cafeteria, having only opened it’s doors at the end of last July. And it’s that same winning team spirit that will ensure that anyone at Endeavor seizes the moment when they suddenly find themselves holding the ball and the end zone couldn’t be further away – and then the team comes together and delivers the goal. It's happened already many times at Endeavor in this past semester and it will continue to happen over and over again on our road to success.
You know what to do when you catch the ball. I can already hear the crowd cheering...
I am an occasional sports fan - usually too busy to follow any sport through its season and having moved enough times as an adult to have never bonded with any “home town” team. But I do try to watch the Super Bowl no matter who is playing, and I don’t think I will ever forget this past Super Bowl XLIII.
There were many great plays in the game, but the history-making whopper was when Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison intercepted a pass in the Arizona Cardinals’ end zone and took off like a bullet all the way to the Pittsburgh end zone 100 yards away for a surprise touch-down right before the end of the first half. It was a stunning and improbable moment made even more amazing because Harrison is a linebacker – a big guy who blocks opponents on the defensive line. They’re not expected to be fast & agile like their offensive teammates.
But with just seconds on the clock, Harrison seized the moment to become fast & agile and make Super Bowl history. As NBC re-played the interception and 100-yard dash over and over again and the commentators whipped us armchair quarterbacks into a frenzy, something else became quickly apparent.
It wasn’t simply a great moment for a talented linebacker, it was also a great moment for teamwork. Every 15 or 20 yards or so along the entire length of the field, Harrison’s team mates kept showing up to knock out the Cardinals that tried valiantly to tackle him. In those moments, James Harrison was able to seize the moment once he caught the ball to turn it into a touchdown because he had all his team mates behind him. But just as importantly, it was the Steelers’ winning team spirit that got them to the Super Bowl in the first place.
It’s that same winning team spirit that has brought Endeavor this far as an improbable success story sandwiched between the K-Mart and the K&S Cafeteria, having only opened it’s doors at the end of last July. And it’s that same winning team spirit that will ensure that anyone at Endeavor seizes the moment when they suddenly find themselves holding the ball and the end zone couldn’t be further away – and then the team comes together and delivers the goal. It's happened already many times at Endeavor in this past semester and it will continue to happen over and over again on our road to success.
You know what to do when you catch the ball. I can already hear the crowd cheering...
Saturday, December 6, 2008
The PAWS Imprint
I wanted to post my opening remarks from the PAWS general membership meeting this week and invite you to comment, or simply for you to read this if you were not able to make the meeting. It's an interesting view of the PAWS imprint (pun intended):
378 is the number of students enrolled at Endeavor. It’s also the number of desks that were unloaded, cleaned and levelled at the beginning of the year. 378 is the number of pictures that were taken on Picture Day, the number of votes cast for Kid’s Vote, and the number of directories that were printed and delivered.
0 is the amount of money it cost to print the directories, thanks to the resourcefulness (and negotiating skills) of our Directory committee.
24 is the number of clocks that were donated to the school and synchronized and installed in the class rooms.
63 is the number of PAW Print articles our Newsletter committee has written so far this year.
0 is the number of complaints received about Leona’s bad puns.
450 is the number of coat hooks hung in the hall ways – not to mention all the cork boards and bulletin boards put up in the classrooms.
28,800 cars have been through the Endeavor car pools (twice a day times 200 cars for each day this year so far – I did the math!)
0 is the number of accidents or injuries we’ve had in our carpool lines.
6,800 is how many Café Days we’ve served at the school.
1,512 is how many lunches & recess periods have been monitored this year, allowing the teachers to have their own lunch & “recess.”
I honestly don’t know how to estimate the number of copies our Copy Center committee has made so far this year, but it might well equal the number of cars in car pool. And now we have 27 wall pockets that we’ll install outside each classroom so the classes are not interrupted when copies are completed or messages need to be delivered.
Who knew that PAWS was in the business of logistics, food service, clerical services, communications, outsourcing and various trades? You're an amazingly talented and resourceful group of parents. My hat goes off to you.
All the best,
John
P.S. Our PAWS meeting was a success, thanks in part to the generous folks at Right Track Academy who allowed us to hold our meeting at their facility at Creedmoor & Strickland so we could get everyone in one room at one time. Their facility is beautiful and their arts-based track out programs are great. Check them out at http://www.righttrackacademy.com/
378 is the number of students enrolled at Endeavor. It’s also the number of desks that were unloaded, cleaned and levelled at the beginning of the year. 378 is the number of pictures that were taken on Picture Day, the number of votes cast for Kid’s Vote, and the number of directories that were printed and delivered.
0 is the amount of money it cost to print the directories, thanks to the resourcefulness (and negotiating skills) of our Directory committee.
24 is the number of clocks that were donated to the school and synchronized and installed in the class rooms.
63 is the number of PAW Print articles our Newsletter committee has written so far this year.
0 is the number of complaints received about Leona’s bad puns.
450 is the number of coat hooks hung in the hall ways – not to mention all the cork boards and bulletin boards put up in the classrooms.
28,800 cars have been through the Endeavor car pools (twice a day times 200 cars for each day this year so far – I did the math!)
0 is the number of accidents or injuries we’ve had in our carpool lines.
6,800 is how many Café Days we’ve served at the school.
1,512 is how many lunches & recess periods have been monitored this year, allowing the teachers to have their own lunch & “recess.”
I honestly don’t know how to estimate the number of copies our Copy Center committee has made so far this year, but it might well equal the number of cars in car pool. And now we have 27 wall pockets that we’ll install outside each classroom so the classes are not interrupted when copies are completed or messages need to be delivered.
Who knew that PAWS was in the business of logistics, food service, clerical services, communications, outsourcing and various trades? You're an amazingly talented and resourceful group of parents. My hat goes off to you.
All the best,
John
P.S. Our PAWS meeting was a success, thanks in part to the generous folks at Right Track Academy who allowed us to hold our meeting at their facility at Creedmoor & Strickland so we could get everyone in one room at one time. Their facility is beautiful and their arts-based track out programs are great. Check them out at http://www.righttrackacademy.com/
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Giving Thanks
I did not want Thanksgiving Day to pass without taking a moment to thank you all for helping to make Endeavor Charter School so great.
The school's strength comes in part from the special role that the parent community needs to play in helping run the school. Without your help day in and day out, the school simply could not function, so your work truly makes a difference.
Each day is a new triumph when you run a dropoff and a pickup carpool without a single injury or accident, when you provide lunch for all the kids in the school each cafe day, when our children can play safely on the playgrounds you created and equipped, and when the teachers are able to use the white boards, cork boards and furniture that you helped make usable for them.
Our latest success happened this week when we met our goal for the Lion's Share Fundraiser by just slightly exceeding our target amount raised. To be sure, your generosity will enable us to implement all the programs we set out in our budget, and for that I am truly grateful.
But I also wanted to thank you for your continued support on committees, volunteering at lunch & recess and all the other ways you volunteer for the school. Please don't forget how important that is - in a way it's how we keep the parents' part of the "charter" in the charter school.
All the best,
JB
The school's strength comes in part from the special role that the parent community needs to play in helping run the school. Without your help day in and day out, the school simply could not function, so your work truly makes a difference.
Each day is a new triumph when you run a dropoff and a pickup carpool without a single injury or accident, when you provide lunch for all the kids in the school each cafe day, when our children can play safely on the playgrounds you created and equipped, and when the teachers are able to use the white boards, cork boards and furniture that you helped make usable for them.
Our latest success happened this week when we met our goal for the Lion's Share Fundraiser by just slightly exceeding our target amount raised. To be sure, your generosity will enable us to implement all the programs we set out in our budget, and for that I am truly grateful.
But I also wanted to thank you for your continued support on committees, volunteering at lunch & recess and all the other ways you volunteer for the school. Please don't forget how important that is - in a way it's how we keep the parents' part of the "charter" in the charter school.
All the best,
JB
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Keep Dribbling the Ball
From the Nov. 13, 2008 "PAW Print" newsletter:
In the 1980s, the Ad Council created a TV spot about the importance of advertising showing a hand dribbling a basketball. When the hand stopped dribbling, the ball predictably stopped bouncing. It created a strong visual impression for the analogy made about the ball (business momentum) and the dribbling hand (advertising). Of course, the goal was to point out how to keep business momentum up by not cutting back on advertising during these tough economic times.
In order for PAWS to do its job, we, too, have to keep dribbling the ball. And the ball in our hand is the "Lion's Share" fundraiser.
We are in week two of the "Lion's Share" and so far we've gotten participation from 25% of our families. While we are extremely grateful to those who've given thus far, we also call upon the other 75% of our families to help make this what is truly the "lion's share" of the fundraising we need to do this year. We cannot do it without everyone pitching in! Any sized donation will be greatly appreciated, and even just a little bit can go a long way towards providing grants for our teachers, infrastructure projects, or cultural arts experiences for our students.
Considering what we've accomplished since July, our momentum as a school and as a parent-support organization is like a basketball bouncing fast and high. And we've done it all together. In fact, just this past week your donations have provided a complete renovation of the playground for the younger kids. They now have a safe and mud-free place to play each day. We are excited about using the additional funds we raise to enable all of the other programs our PAWS committees have laid out for the rest of the year.
This Thanksgiving, I will give thanks for the great little Charter School where my children are thriving, and also for the generosity of the parent community whose support keeps the ball dribbling. What will you be thankful for this year?
All the best,
John
In the 1980s, the Ad Council created a TV spot about the importance of advertising showing a hand dribbling a basketball. When the hand stopped dribbling, the ball predictably stopped bouncing. It created a strong visual impression for the analogy made about the ball (business momentum) and the dribbling hand (advertising). Of course, the goal was to point out how to keep business momentum up by not cutting back on advertising during these tough economic times.
In order for PAWS to do its job, we, too, have to keep dribbling the ball. And the ball in our hand is the "Lion's Share" fundraiser.
We are in week two of the "Lion's Share" and so far we've gotten participation from 25% of our families. While we are extremely grateful to those who've given thus far, we also call upon the other 75% of our families to help make this what is truly the "lion's share" of the fundraising we need to do this year. We cannot do it without everyone pitching in! Any sized donation will be greatly appreciated, and even just a little bit can go a long way towards providing grants for our teachers, infrastructure projects, or cultural arts experiences for our students.
Considering what we've accomplished since July, our momentum as a school and as a parent-support organization is like a basketball bouncing fast and high. And we've done it all together. In fact, just this past week your donations have provided a complete renovation of the playground for the younger kids. They now have a safe and mud-free place to play each day. We are excited about using the additional funds we raise to enable all of the other programs our PAWS committees have laid out for the rest of the year.
This Thanksgiving, I will give thanks for the great little Charter School where my children are thriving, and also for the generosity of the parent community whose support keeps the ball dribbling. What will you be thankful for this year?
All the best,
John
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Relying on our Core Values
From the Oct. 30, 2008 "PAW Print" newsletter:
Natural disasters (and man-made ones, too) often have consequences that hit more deeply and widely than expected. The sense of loss, despair and sadness will hit individuals in different ways and at different times, but in times of trial we rely on our core values to guide us through the crisis and sort out the aftermath.
The current global financial crisis has shaken every part of our world to the core. There is not a single household or institution that has not been profoundly impacted by this crisis in ways that will be felt for years to come. I believe that in the future, we will look back on this time period and the economic turmoil will be background noise to our resounding achievement in helping establish Endeavor as the standard by which other schools are measured in the Triangle.
As the parents of the first group of students at Endeavor Charter School, we all share the same core values of wanting the best for our children, and of working together to lay the foundation for a bright future. As we implement the "Lion’s Share" fundraiser, please remember all the ways in which PAWS makes a difference in our school, and how you play an important part in making Endeavor the best school for our children. Thank you for your support.
All the best,
JB
Natural disasters (and man-made ones, too) often have consequences that hit more deeply and widely than expected. The sense of loss, despair and sadness will hit individuals in different ways and at different times, but in times of trial we rely on our core values to guide us through the crisis and sort out the aftermath.
The current global financial crisis has shaken every part of our world to the core. There is not a single household or institution that has not been profoundly impacted by this crisis in ways that will be felt for years to come. I believe that in the future, we will look back on this time period and the economic turmoil will be background noise to our resounding achievement in helping establish Endeavor as the standard by which other schools are measured in the Triangle.
As the parents of the first group of students at Endeavor Charter School, we all share the same core values of wanting the best for our children, and of working together to lay the foundation for a bright future. As we implement the "Lion’s Share" fundraiser, please remember all the ways in which PAWS makes a difference in our school, and how you play an important part in making Endeavor the best school for our children. Thank you for your support.
All the best,
JB
Learn by Doing - Do by Giving
From the Sept. 25, 2008 "PAW Print" newsletter:
Endeavor’s motto, “We learn by doing,” is a quote attributed to the great Greek philosopher Aristotle. PAWS doesn’t have a motto, but a variation of Aristotle’s words that might apply to PAWS is “We do by giving.”
The two important ways we give through PAWS are through our volunteer time, and through supporting the fundraisers that provide the money for programs. Both ways of giving are important to enabling PAWS to fulfill its mandate to support the school, and ultimately to make Endeavor the kind of school we want for our kids.
We have an opportunity to quickly fund the programs we need to implement through the upcoming “Lion’s Share” fundraiser. You will receive details as soon as we return from track-out for our “no fuss” fundraiser, with a very specific goal of raising $30,000. That works out to about $100 for each student enrolled at Endeavor. If we are able to meet our goal, we will not need to have other school-wide fundraisers throughout the year (such as selling wrapping papers, walk-a-thons, etc.).
If we collect more than $100 per student, we will have even more money to show how we “do by giving.” Any amount you can give would be much appreciated, and you have my word that it will be put to good use .
All the best,
John
Endeavor’s motto, “We learn by doing,” is a quote attributed to the great Greek philosopher Aristotle. PAWS doesn’t have a motto, but a variation of Aristotle’s words that might apply to PAWS is “We do by giving.”
The two important ways we give through PAWS are through our volunteer time, and through supporting the fundraisers that provide the money for programs. Both ways of giving are important to enabling PAWS to fulfill its mandate to support the school, and ultimately to make Endeavor the kind of school we want for our kids.
We have an opportunity to quickly fund the programs we need to implement through the upcoming “Lion’s Share” fundraiser. You will receive details as soon as we return from track-out for our “no fuss” fundraiser, with a very specific goal of raising $30,000. That works out to about $100 for each student enrolled at Endeavor. If we are able to meet our goal, we will not need to have other school-wide fundraisers throughout the year (such as selling wrapping papers, walk-a-thons, etc.).
If we collect more than $100 per student, we will have even more money to show how we “do by giving.” Any amount you can give would be much appreciated, and you have my word that it will be put to good use .
All the best,
John
One ...
From the Sept. 11, 2008 "PAW Print" newsletter:
One small step for man and one great step for mankind is the quotable legacy of Neil Armstrong as he took the first steps on the moon.
One man had a dream. Dr. King shared that dream and re-shaped the possibilities for individuals of all kinds and in so doing, changed course of history for our nation.
One 1/100th of a second separates gold from silver medals at the Olympics – as we saw for both Dara Torres and Michael Phelps.
For Michael Phelps, it also took one team-mate – Jason Lezak – a man with an adrenaline rush in the men’s 400m relay race to enable Michael Phelps to earn one of eight gold medals and make history. One more medal to top Mark Spitz’s record.
While it is not always possible to clearly identify the one contribution that makes the difference, that does not mean that each step is not worth taking. One little degree separates very hot water at 211° from steam at 212°. Consider what the invention of the steam engine sparked to understand the impact of adding one more degree of heat.
At Endeavor, one hour of your time can help a teacher take a lunch break. One committee – any committee – can use your help to shape the kind of school we want for our children. With each one of us doing our part, we’ll have created one community with one shared goal centered around one great school – one step at a time.
With all due respect, John Lennon – one is NOT the loneliest number. Not by a long shot, or even by one 1/100th of a second for that matter.
All the best,
John
One small step for man and one great step for mankind is the quotable legacy of Neil Armstrong as he took the first steps on the moon.
One man had a dream. Dr. King shared that dream and re-shaped the possibilities for individuals of all kinds and in so doing, changed course of history for our nation.
One 1/100th of a second separates gold from silver medals at the Olympics – as we saw for both Dara Torres and Michael Phelps.
For Michael Phelps, it also took one team-mate – Jason Lezak – a man with an adrenaline rush in the men’s 400m relay race to enable Michael Phelps to earn one of eight gold medals and make history. One more medal to top Mark Spitz’s record.
While it is not always possible to clearly identify the one contribution that makes the difference, that does not mean that each step is not worth taking. One little degree separates very hot water at 211° from steam at 212°. Consider what the invention of the steam engine sparked to understand the impact of adding one more degree of heat.
At Endeavor, one hour of your time can help a teacher take a lunch break. One committee – any committee – can use your help to shape the kind of school we want for our children. With each one of us doing our part, we’ll have created one community with one shared goal centered around one great school – one step at a time.
With all due respect, John Lennon – one is NOT the loneliest number. Not by a long shot, or even by one 1/100th of a second for that matter.
All the best,
John
Planting the Seeds of Greatness
From the Aug. 28, 2008 "PAW Print" newsletter:
The old saying "you reap what you sow" often may be used with negative connotations, but it just as easily applies to the positive side of things. And considering all the sowing I've seen around Endeavor in this first month, I am so very optimistic about what we will reap by the end of this year in terms of each one of our children growing into their own version of greatness
Of course, we all know that enabling that greatness starts with the seeds that are sown, but also requires nurturing all along the way.
We all have a role in nurturing our children as loving parents, but our other role in nurturing Endeavor and the community we've created around it is equally important. Please continue to use the PAWS calendar on the Web site to sign up for activities you can support. The carpool committee still needs volunteers to help out the few who are doing such an amazing job, and there are still some classrooms with days not covered for lunch & recess.
We've given deserving recognition to the many visible successes, such as the playground fence and the safe and efficient carpool lines. But for all those visible ones, there are just as many less-visible activities that are equally important to creating the kind of school environment that will enable our children to thrive. In membership, we have 70% of families signed up in PAWS. Let's make it 100% by the end of the quarter! Other committees need ideas and/or a few extra helping hands. Do what you can and together we'll ensure the success of our school.
And from my perspective, there is no better achievement of greatness than happy children that reach their full potential. I'll take that greatness anytime.
All the best,
John
The old saying "you reap what you sow" often may be used with negative connotations, but it just as easily applies to the positive side of things. And considering all the sowing I've seen around Endeavor in this first month, I am so very optimistic about what we will reap by the end of this year in terms of each one of our children growing into their own version of greatness
Of course, we all know that enabling that greatness starts with the seeds that are sown, but also requires nurturing all along the way.
We all have a role in nurturing our children as loving parents, but our other role in nurturing Endeavor and the community we've created around it is equally important. Please continue to use the PAWS calendar on the Web site to sign up for activities you can support. The carpool committee still needs volunteers to help out the few who are doing such an amazing job, and there are still some classrooms with days not covered for lunch & recess.
We've given deserving recognition to the many visible successes, such as the playground fence and the safe and efficient carpool lines. But for all those visible ones, there are just as many less-visible activities that are equally important to creating the kind of school environment that will enable our children to thrive. In membership, we have 70% of families signed up in PAWS. Let's make it 100% by the end of the quarter! Other committees need ideas and/or a few extra helping hands. Do what you can and together we'll ensure the success of our school.
And from my perspective, there is no better achievement of greatness than happy children that reach their full potential. I'll take that greatness anytime.
All the best,
John
Motivations and Inspirations
From the Aug. 14, 2008 "PAW Print" newsletter:
I have been asked many times, “Why a charter school/why Endeavor?” and more recently “Why did you sign up to be the PAWS President??” And in the end, it all boils down to motivation and inspiration.
We were motivated to come to Endeavor because, like you, we want the very best for our children. In addition, we were in search of a school in which we could play a bigger role in our children’s education. So here we are – at a school with more opportunities to make a difference than there are hours in the day, a school administration that gratefully accepts the help, and the good fortune to have so many parents willing to answer the call and pitch in.
Your contributions to Endeavor over the summer and in the first few weeks of school are too numerous to mention and too generous to do justice with a few words of gratitude from me. Let me say “Thank you!” anyway. Along the way, I’ve found that your energy and enthusiasm inspire me to do my best in trying to channel all of our efforts through PAWS in ways that hopefully produce the best results for our children. And since “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” our children’s ability to see our dedication to the school will hopefully inspire them to do their best as well.
Please continue to make your strengths our collective strength by volunteering your time and talents whenever you can. Among other things, there is still a great need for help during the day at lunch & recess. Check out the new volunteer calendar on the Web site for a great place to start.
One more thing - thank you for honoring me with the chance to make my impact as PAWS President.
Best regards,
John Balla
I have been asked many times, “Why a charter school/why Endeavor?” and more recently “Why did you sign up to be the PAWS President??” And in the end, it all boils down to motivation and inspiration.
We were motivated to come to Endeavor because, like you, we want the very best for our children. In addition, we were in search of a school in which we could play a bigger role in our children’s education. So here we are – at a school with more opportunities to make a difference than there are hours in the day, a school administration that gratefully accepts the help, and the good fortune to have so many parents willing to answer the call and pitch in.
Your contributions to Endeavor over the summer and in the first few weeks of school are too numerous to mention and too generous to do justice with a few words of gratitude from me. Let me say “Thank you!” anyway. Along the way, I’ve found that your energy and enthusiasm inspire me to do my best in trying to channel all of our efforts through PAWS in ways that hopefully produce the best results for our children. And since “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” our children’s ability to see our dedication to the school will hopefully inspire them to do their best as well.
Please continue to make your strengths our collective strength by volunteering your time and talents whenever you can. Among other things, there is still a great need for help during the day at lunch & recess. Check out the new volunteer calendar on the Web site for a great place to start.
One more thing - thank you for honoring me with the chance to make my impact as PAWS President.
Best regards,
John Balla
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