Going the Extra Mile

I wanted to share a story of an HMS administrator, Chris Grantham, making a difference for two of our students.   Late on a Friday afternoon, we found out that a family with students at two buildings had an emergency situation arise and the students had a temporary change in living arrangements for the weekend.  Chris drove one of the students to the place he was staying for the weekend, made sure everything was fine, thus allowing us to send the other student "home" knowing everything was going to be OK for the weekend.  Way to go the extra distance Chris!

Dan Erholtz
McEowen Principal

Make A Difference - Share It, Grow It

As I outlined in an earlier post, our theme for the year is “Make A Difference.”  We first challenged our staff, and then I passed the challenge on to our readers, to write a note to someone who made a difference in their life.   Did you complete this challenge?  It’s such an easy way to brighten someone’s day and to show them how much they mean to you.  

This challenge was aimed at someone you know well.  What about making a difference in the life of someone who you don’t know as well or at all?  Many times making a difference in a stranger’s life comes through a random act of kindness.  Our administrative team and secretaries exercised this during their summer activity - they handed out water, lent a helping hand, and expressed appreciation.   

These are usually very simple, immediate acts that make life easier or bring a smile.  What about helping someone load their groceries into the car?  Offering a smile and kind words to the cashier checking you out?  Telling a manager about excellent service offered by an employee?  

These random acts of kindness can inspire others.  Think of the Liberty Mutual commercials which start with someone witnessing an act of kindness by another person and then they commit an act and so on until the circle is complete with the original person as the recipient of kindness.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frpp6DjCaJU

However, many times our acts of kindness are not witnessed by anyone and that’s OK.  We don’t do it for recognition.  To inspire others though, we need to share our stories.  That’s why we’re using #wildcatkindness on Twitter to share some of those stories.  You can share your own story or the story of something you witnessed.  The hope is to inspire and encourage others to join the movement.  

So now the challenge is to share your story...if you’re not a “tweeter,” then comment here or if you’d rather remain anonymous, you can email me (jill.filer@harrisonvilleschools.org) and I’ll share your story without your name. 

Let’s see how many of these cycles of kindness we can begin. 

Jill Filer
Director of Communications

A Warm, Wildcat Welcome

The first days of school are always stressful for students. "Where are my classes, where is my locker, who is in my second period, will I like my teachers, etc.?"  These are all questions that students have and they are compounded for students who are entirely new to our district.  

We had a incident last week that showcased the very best character in our kids.

A new student went to lunch and all of the tables were full with students catching up with friends about summer adventures. The new student surveyed the cafeteria looking for a welcoming place to sit. Just then, one of our volleyball players came to her and gave the student her seat at a table with all of her friends. The volleyball player then went all the way across to the cafeteria to get herself a chair and returned to the table. She introduced the new student to her friends and our new student has been sitting and conversing  with the group every day since. While this may seem like a small gesture, it is not. Finding a "place" to sit in the cafeteria can be one of he most stressful events of a student's high school experience. It not only meant a great deal to that student, it also made me extremely proud of our kids.

I was proud of our kids and how they stepped up to welcome our new student. They made an extremely awkward moment into an opportunity to perhaps make a lifelong friend.  Very proud.  #wildcatkindness

Dr. Jason Beavers
HHS Assistant Principal
@DrBeaversHHS

Make A Difference - Let's Go!

“Make A Difference” – that’s our district’s theme for the year.  We first introduced the theme with our administrators.  When they reported to the Admininstrative Office on July 23, they had no idea what was in store.  We challenged them to spend a couple of hours out in the community making a difference.   They jumped in full force passing out bottles of water to those working outside, writing thank you notes to local businesses that support our schools, unloading fruit and vegetables for a roadside stand, giving flowers to receptionists, helping at the animal shelter, and pumping gas for strangers.  They came back to share their stories and the energy in the room was real.

We then asked our secretaries during a day of training to commit similar acts of kindness.  They paid for drinks in fast food drive-thrus for the car behind them, passed out flowers, and thanked those who they came into contact with.  The results were the same…good feelings all around.

Making a difference for someone not only benefits the recipient of the kindness, but causes an even greater change in the person who commits the act.   Because of this phenomenon, our selection of this theme may seem a bit selfish.  That’s not the intention at all, but we hope it to be a positive consequence.

Our teachers and staff make a difference in students’ lives every day.  It’s what they do in their classrooms without even fully understanding their impact.  We’re challenging them to go above and beyond their daily interactions with students, families, colleagues, and the community.   We want them to be deliberate in making a difference in people’s lives; taking advantage of opportunities to make an impact.

For me, many times I have the best intentions….I think, “I should send a card” or “Wouldn’t it be nice if I baked her cookies to brighten her day.”  Then, days pass and I never take action on my thoughts. My goal for this year and beyond is to act.  Don’t just think about making a difference; do it.

We hope our “Make A Difference” focus is evident and contagious as the year continues.  We’ll share stories here, but also challenge you to become a part of the movement.   Let’s start with something easy….it was our first challenge to all our staff members – write a thank you note to someone who’s made a difference in your life.

Here’s my thank you....

Dear Mr. Barrett -

Thank you for Making a Difference in my life by believing in my ability to be a teacher.  I graduated from college with a degree in journalism, but I was not sure what I wanted to do with that degree.  You took a chance on me and changed the direction of my life.  Thank you for being a leader who not only pushed, but challenged and someone I respect and look up to still today.

Thanks for Making A Difference!

Jill Filer, Director of Communications

Harrisonville Schools