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/
Saturday, December 6, 2008
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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