A teacher's smile....not just for the season...

Smile.  ‘Tis the season.  Did you know:    When someone smiles it is universally known as an expression of happiness which is recognized by almost all cultures.     When a person studies laughter they are known as a ‘gelotologist’.     There are over 18 different types of smiles that are used in a variety of social situations. For instance, people can use a smile to say a hello, and they can also use a different type of smile to show their understanding of a particular situation.   A frown uses more muscles to contract and expand then a smile does.    A smile is one of the most used human facial expressions. Smiles can use between 5 to all 53 muscles.  Smiling releases endorphins and makes us feel better, even when you fake a smile you can feel better.  A person that smiles more is deemed to be more pleasant, sincere, attractive and more sociable then a non-smiling person.  We are born with the ability to smile, it is not something that we copy. For instance, even blind babies are able to smile.   Humans are able to differentiate between a real smile and a fake smile by seeing the difference in a persons eyes when they smile.  Newborns tend to have more preference for a person with a smile then a person that is not smiling….. I have been accused, and sometimes with great aplomb of being both pollyannish and utopic.   I very much like that.  A search for a perfect world and one where people do the right thing, because it is the right thing….guilty as charged.  My deepest feelings of faith, raised a Christian, lead me to believe that the only way I can do my savior’s work, is to believe in the good in people and trust them even when that trust is trampled.  I love the stories of the old testament, but they really only set up the greatest story ever in the new testament.  Turn the other cheek.  Sacrifice all for the good of all.  Love is the answer.   Teachers lead this life precisely, they can only succeed when they believe that there are really no bad children, simply children in bad situations.  That they must forgive, not just every day, but every moment.  That they must take seriously all skepticism, yet somehow maintain their ideals for a better world for every student.  I walk these halls at Harrisburg…I see the smiles….they come with a price…to stand on principle and philosophy that for most seems only to arrive for everyone during this time of  year.  Peace on Earth.  Good will to all men.  Teachers believe this every day.  Why doesn’t everyone?

  Live this way all the time and watch how our children watch us.  Be the change you wish.

SSR ended the second segment last week.  Basically, the program obligates each student to read an average of five pages per day – or perhaps 15 minutes for an average reader.  According to teacher reports, we had around a 99 percent completion rate. There is a reason for this obligation. Reading is not just an academic skill, it is the main thought process through which all cognitive processed develop.  Over and over again, studies have shown that those who read well are better able to problem-solve and make successful decisions for life.  In every facet of life, the skill of reading fluency will activate higher levels of achievement.  I hope you will all be models and motivators in MAKING your son or daughter READ.  We are doing our part here, I can assure you.  As time passes, students will continue to be asked to READ, READ and READ. 

Any parents still interested in the Parent/Principal Community Connection(PPCC) committee can certainly still attend.  The last meeting of the semester will be Wednesday, Dec. 15th at 7:00 in the high school commons.  We have had very few parents attend - if anyone out there has a better time, location, etc. - I am more than willing to change to see the most parents.

Extra Help sessions have drastically reduced poor academic performance.  From a high of 95 students to last Friday's 25(which means over 430 students were performing at least to minimal expectations), or roughly 95 percent of our students are making the effort.  That is outstanding.  When you couple these facts with the high expectations set by our staff, it is certain progress toward successful futures is sustained.  Congratulations to all parents whose diligence with their sons and daughters is paying off.

The schedule will change next semester.  Periods four and five will be lunch periods and there will be five lunches.  Immediately following will be a one-half hour period for SSR/Student Achievement/TAP. This will be common for all so students will be able to see teachers at that time.  Periodically, half of the teachers will meet for Professional Learning Community focus and discussion.  Study Halls remain.  All classes, with the exception of some obsolete programming and hardware classes remain(they have been replaced with more contemporary offerings.)  More credits for School-to-Work and Business will begin next semester.  These changes will take place on January 10th and students' schedules will reflect the changes after registration in a couple of weeks.  The flexibility of this schedule is a response to consistency, growth and more opportunity for our students.

Music now chimes in where bells used to be.  Thanks to a student council purchase, music signals the end of each period.  At the four-minute mark - the music ends indicating to students they have 45 seconds or so to get to class.   The bell rings to start the next session.  Student council will take requests for school-appropriate music to play throughout the day.  There are some classrooms we are still adjusting volume, etc.

A reminder again that the Sioux Valley News will now be publishing our school paper every two weeks as they are unable to gain enough advertising to publish weekly.  If you are interested in advertising in the News, please call them.  We wish to have a local, published community forum tied to the school.  That will not happen without support of the business community.

This week at Harrisburg High...

Monday - FFA state leadership in Pierre
          7:00 PM - Grades 5, 9-12 Holiday Band Concert
Tuesday -  7:30 AM  -  Alt. School Committee Meeting
                 4:00 - Novice Interpretation - Sioux Falls
                 5:00 - Girl's Basketball at West Central
                 5:00 - Wrestling at Brookings
                 7:00 - Liberty Elementary Concert
Wednesday - Christmas at the Capitol
Thursday - 2:30 - Junior Meeting - Capstone
                  5:00 - Wrestling at Tri-Valley
Friday - 4:00 - Basketball Doubleheader at Vermillion
Saturday - Debate at CFC
                11:00 - Wrestling at Yankton
                 2:00 - Free Elks Hoop Shoot - Ages 9-13 - at High School Gym(pre-register required)
                2:30 - Girls Basketball at Winner
                5:00 - Boys Basketball at Sioux Falls Christian