The Cardinal Way

“It can have meaning if it changes you for the better.” —Viktor Frankl

Viktor Frankl, the author of Man’s Search for Meaning, was imprisoned and survived Nazi concentration camps. During this time, he lost his wife, parents, home, and the manuscript that his entire life’s work had gone into. Yet, he emerged from this horrific experience convinced that life was not meaningless and that suffering was not without purpose. The branch of psychology Viktor Frankl developed, now known as logotherapy, provided a new perspective for many. He enlightened us to the fact that we don’t control what happens to us, only how we respond. Nothing can deprive us of this ability to respond in any situation. Even if the response is made in the slightest way, or even if our response is only acceptance, we still always have the choice in how we respond. And, in reality, our response is all we can ever control. We cannot control events in our lives, and while we can work to influence outcomes, we ultimately cannot control the outcomes. I try to reflect on this idea when things are not going as I hope. It reminds me that I can change for the better because of what I am going through and find meaning in it, even if my “suffering” pales compared to others.

Man’s Search for Meaning is one of my favorite books. Viktor Frankl’s perspective on life and struggle has always stuck with me. No matter how difficult, challenging, or dark our circumstances seem, our focus on what we can control matters more than anything else. Too often, we get so hyper-focused on our circumstances that we lose focus on what we can control. Our response to any event is always in our control. This focus allows us to turn any circumstance, good or bad, into an opportunity.

Make it a great day, or not, the choice is yours! Be a Cardinal; Change Lives; Put a Mission into Motion

Thank you to:

• Sam Hanley and the yearbook staff for organizing school pictures. Also, thank you to Austin Lundsford for helping to supervise students during some of the periods.
• Tara Foor for Banned Book week activities for students.
• Chelsea Hoffman and the volleyball team for hosting the Night Full of Color Filled with Hope on Wednesday night.
• the Performing Arts Department for hosting the Choir Concert this week.
• Joe Leonard the student council for hosting the homecoming dance. Minus a very small percentage of students, our kids had a blast at a great event.
  

Week 9: Grateful Friday Challenge

It's Friday! After a hot start to the week, things are finally starting to cool down. Yes, I am talking about the weather…what else did you think I was mentioning…

The newness of the school year has worn off, and the weariness of a long haul to a break is upon us. But restful times of Fall Break are approaching. As we wind down the end of the first nine weeks, we must continue to keep our belief alive. We must continue to believe in believe.

If you are a Roy Kent, you’ve got to set your cynicism aside. If you are a Jamie Tartt, you have to stop your ego from getting in your way of admitting who you really are. If you are a Rebecca, you need to let yourself be vulnerable while also accepting that the revenge you think you want will never make you feel whole. If you are a Nate, you have to allow for the possibility of self-confidence. And, if you are a Ted, you need to understand how your past trials and tribulations have helped form you into the amazing person and leader you are today.

It is hard, I know. So in your mailbox, this morning is a small BELIEVE sticker.

Your #SHSGFC is for you to put this sticker somewhere you will see it when you need the reminder to BELIEVE in BELIEVE and to believe in yourself!

With banners flying as we go…

The general chemistry students went to Homecroft Elementary to teach the 4th-grade students how to take different measurements and how to calculate density. The high school Chemistry students designed an experiment and wrote out a lab sheet that was 4th grade friendly and took them through the experiment. It was a huge success for both groups of students!

Mr. Smiley's World History students are studying different religions of world regions. Students in the past weeks have learned about Hinduism and Buddhism. As a review, students took the information they have learned and shorted it into a Venn Diagram. Students discussed items they could remember from memory and then went to past notes and presentations to organize the rest of the information so they could see the similarities and differences between Hinduism and Buddhism.

Mr. Burk's Biology Students spent time researching common invasive species found in Indiana over the past four weeks. Their final product will be sent to Caitlin Stahl to be displayed at the Southeastway Park Nature Center. These posters will help teach younger children to learn about invasive species while they are visiting the center.

Mr. Brown is teaching a section of Physical Education this year. Along with Mr. Harrell, the sophomore PE students learn about different games and how those games can create an active lifestyle. Today, students played the classic playground game of kickball. Students enjoyed playing kickball while building physical activity into their day.

One of the contestants from the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis came to visit SHS this Friday. Semi-finalist KayCee Galano, visited the advanced orchestra classes this morning and returned during iPass. It was a great experience for our students to be able to listen to and speak with a high-level violin professional. KayCee also performed with the Advanced Orchestra on one of their current pieces.

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