Bulldog Blast
Greetings Bulldogs ~
Has your student found their social group in high school? As we've now been in school for several weeks - I have enough "observation time" to see that there are so many students that are engaged in the social side of high school. We've also been here long enough for me to see that there are many students who may need a little extra encouragement to get involved in the "unwritten curriculum" of high school. I use the phrase unwritten curriculum to describe all those things students learn in high school that don't come from a classroom. With homecoming week next week - it's a good time to mention that students often need a little "persuasion" to get out there and find their way - getting involved in spirit days or evening activities. I'm fortunate enough to have been the principal for many of your students when they were in middle school. It's been AMAZING to see them flourish. However, if your student is reluctant to get engaged with the AWESOMENESS that is Memorial - don't worry - there's still plenty of time. I encourage you to reach out to the counselor for your student if you need ideas or help getting your student plugged in. Also, if you have concerns about social interactions for your student - again - reach out to either counseling or your grade level principal for ideas or suggestions. These are important times developmentally for your student. We want to make sure that we are partnering with you to make them memorable - in a GREAT way.
Now, let's talk about another observation I've had over the past few weeks. As administrators, we spend a LOT of time monitoring bathrooms. Unfortunately, bathrooms seem to be where shady and sus behavior transpire most often. It's where we catch probably 95%+ of our vaping tobacco or THC behavior. I walked into a bathroom the other day and literally told the group of 15 or so young men that were in there - "Good Lord boys - I could take attendance in here you all are in this bathroom so often. Is this bathroom on your schedule?" To which they all laughed and promptly left. (very polite group of young men) We aim to be proactive in working with our students. In the next few weeks - I am challenging our admin team to carve out time to call in those students who have their mail delivered to the bathroom. We'll communicate with you if we call your student in for discussion. However, I encourage you to reach out to your grade level admin if you want to know if your student is a frequent flyer - hanging out in the "water closet."
Like I stated before, homecoming week is this next week. If you are an alumni of Edmond Memorial High School - I am personally encouraging you to join us this next Friday night as we take on Santa Fe for our final EDLAM game of the season. The city championship is on the line!! Come on out next week and see why EMHS is the best $8 ticket on a Friday night. Additionally, we are in the beginning stages of organizing a way for us to build an alumni database and hope to have a QR code available that night for you to submit your information. Our homecoming theme is "We Built This City" which is how I started off the school year with the students! We did build this city!!! Memorial High School continues to be the foundation and rock - a place where we want alumni to always feel welcome to enjoy our activities, relive the good days, and connect socially. We celebrate all our alumni as we know you spent your time at Memorial Believing in our school - Belonging to groups and organizations - and Sacrificing for something bigger than yourself while you were here! You did all that to build a Legacy!!
Go Dogs!! We Built This City!! We Are Edmond!! Go Big E!!
Keith Pautler
Producer/Director/Principal
Edmond Memorial High School
