The Cardinal Way

How many times have you found yourself in a conversation, knowing exactly what you are going to say before the other person even stops sharing their thoughts? If we want to be approachable, we must make sure conversations focus on the other person and what they bring to the table, not on ourselves. Listen fully, stop, think, paraphrase, and then respond. As leaders, the conversation is not about us; it is about supporting the person who approached you. Most of the time, the advice you are quick to give is not as good as you think it is anyway. If you take time to be reflective before you answer, your advice will usually be more sound and taken with more merit. People have two ears and one mouth for a reason; use them in that proportion.

Ask questions that make it about the people you are talking with and their needs, not about you or your own personal needs. If we want to support others, we need to know where they need supported the most or what support they even need. If we do not dig a little deeper into conversations, we will only help in superficial ways. Asking questions allows us to figure out where a person is starting and then support them as they take those critical first steps.

It is always much better to take time while communicating with others. Impulsivity in responding immediately is the enemy of great leadership. While your knee-jerk response may be good, it is rarely a well-thought-out insight into the situation. There are very few situations that need an immediate answer. In all honesty, in our complex world and the complex problems in our schools, rarely is there one answer that will address the heart of the matter. People need our ear and support much more than they need our advice.

Be a Cardinal; Change Lives; Put a Mission into Motion

Thank you to:

• James Thorpe for his work over the past couple of weeks dealing with snow and keeping our parking lots and sidewalks clear.
• Our EL teachers and instructional Coaches for supporting WIDA testing again this week.
• The school counseling office for spending Wednesday at the middle school this week to help with 8th grade scheduling.
• Cathee Cullison for always helping to organize Cardinal Cadre members for our events.
• our athletic department for hosting Wrestling and Girls Basketball Sectionals within the last week.

Week 23: Grateful Friday Challenge

Another Friday... another week in the books. We are sitting here on the first Friday in February -- did you remember that yesterday was Groundhog Day. Yes, the Pennsylvania tradition took place less than 24 hours ago. It is also February, so we will think about spreading some love in a couple of weeks, but this week let’s focus on Phil!

Remember the movie staged on the special day of the groundhog set in Punxsutawney? What a laugh! Poor Phil - stuck in the same day, over and over. But as the days go on, Phil decides to spend his time trying to make a difference in the outcome of his day and the day of many others with whom he comes into contact.

He lives, and he learns. He tries, and he tries again. He makes mistakes, and he fixes them. He runs into people from all over the community, and he learns all about Punxsutawney. But, more importantly, he learns about himself.

Sometimes, during this time of year, we might feel like we are living in our own personal Groundhog Day movie. We might start feeling the drain of the winter months and wishing for spring and warmth to hurry up and get here. But, think about all the lessons we would miss, for ourselves and our students, if we approach every day as if it’s the same as the one before.

We have the opportunity to come in every day and make a difference. We live with a schedule and pattern, but that doesn’t mean we can’t break the mold and learn, grow, and make a difference daily.

Today, your #SHSGFC is to see the wonder in the routine - look at people in a different way, and see new ways to solve an old problem. Begin to form a relationship with someone you don’t connect with easily. Have a conversation about a tough issue with colleagues, and instead of thinking it can’t be fixed - approach it with the attitude of what can we do to fix it? Take a minute to search for a new way to present the information you are talking about next week. Recognize that every day, even one that seems to be on automatic pilot during this time of year, is a great day to be a part of someone’s chance at bettering their life.

And as Phil so eloquently immortalized in the movie, “When Chekhov saw the long winter, he saw a winter bleak and dark and bereft of hope. Yet we know that winter is just another step in the cycle of life. But standing here among the people of Punxsutawney and basking in the warmth of their hearths and hearts, I couldn't imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous winter.”

With banners flying as we go…

Mr. McCool's geometry students are studying triangle congruence. Over the past couple of weeks, students have learned about five different congruence theorems. The students had to pull all those five theorems together in the lesson on Monday. They were asked to complete a graphic organizer with everything they could remember from the last few weeks. Then the class reviewed the theorems and completed a Desmos activity where they had to identify theorems and justify their thinking.

In coordination with the Indiana Fever, our athletic department was able to schedule a special presentation for our female athletes. The Indiana Fever and three players came to SHS on Wednesday morning to share stories, encouragement, and job opportunities for women in sports. Our students were able to ask questions of the players and learn more about their journey to the WNBA. We were also able to invite a small group from PMHS to attend as well. It was a great morning of learning and connection for our female athletes.

Jeremiah Gray Elementary hosted a day of reading for World Read Aloud Day. Our Boys and Girls Basketball teams visited JGE in the morning and afternoon to participate and read stories to the students. Each student was assigned to a different classroom to read stories to small groups. It was a great day for our basketball teams to connect with our future Cardinals!

Our School Counselors hosted our 8th grade scheduling parent night this week. In the twelve years I have been attending this night as a middle school and high school principal, this was the best turnout we have had. The auditorium was packed as next year's freshman class, and their families were able to learn more about graduation requirements and how to schedule for their freshman classes.

Mr. Klopfenstein visted Mr. Fritz class this week to help read the Marc Antony speech from Act 3. Mr. Klopfenstein is his full Julius Caesar costume came to class to give a dramatic performance of the speech before the students began analyze the speech for its purpose.

Website: http://websites.msdpt.k12.in.us/sh/
Location: 971 E Banta Rd, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Phone: 317-789-4800
Twitter: @SHS_Cardinals