"Courage...it's knowing you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win but sometimes you do." -Atticus Finch
Recently, I re-read "To Kill a Mockingbird." I know, nerd alert, right?! Like many of you are doing right now, I read it when I was in high school. Since it is such a classic, I wanted to read it again with a different perspective as an educator and a parent. It was well worth the time. There are lessons to learn about prejudice, acceptance, perseverance and courage.
The quote above is from Atticus Finch, a character in the book. If you have read the book, you know the significance of this quote to the story. Even if you haven't read the book yet, I think it is meaningful to think about in general. My take on it is that sometimes the right thing to do isn't always easy, for whatever reason, but since it is the right thing to do we have an obligation to take it on.
It takes courage to start something and see it through despite the challenges you may face. Sometimes doing the right thing not only presents challenges but may require us to do something that is not particularly comfortable to us...that takes courage too. At Perry Central, I see a lot of students doing courageous acts. There are students doing things that aren't easy or that requires them step out of the comfort zone but they are doing it because they know it is right. Friends of Rachel, Commodore Table, and the recent canned food drive are a few student led initiatives that come to mind. Your courage can and does inspire others and because of that our wins aren't rare, like Atticus experienced, instead they are much more common. Thank you to all of those doing courageous things! You are making a difference.
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
Be Kind
Welcome back, students! I hope you enjoyed your summer and are excited to be back. Along with the anxiety of a new school year comes the chance to have a fresh start. Throughout the course of the year, I hope to share some thoughts, ideas and Commodore Pride information with you through this blog.
Rachel's Challenge was such a great message to start the year off with. We heard a story of kindness that was truly inspirational. Rachel demonstrated how having compassion and treating others with kindness can have such a significant impact on our community. I saw how touched our students were by this message throughout the day. During the Friends of Rachel session, there were several brave students who shared how her story impacted them. This group of students also came up with some really great ideas to continue building a culture of kindness at Perry Central.
The quote from yesterday that really stood out was this: "I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same. People will never know how far a little kindness can go."
At Perry Central, we have great students and yesterday was another example of why I am so proud to be a Commodore. As we begin another school year, I hope we all make it our mission to see just how far a little kindness can go!
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Commitment
"Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality." -Abraham Lincoln
His speech wasn't finished until 3:30 a.m. that morning. FBI agents were stationed beside the PA system during the speech to pull the plug in case he said something they didn't like. He had received death threats, spent nights in jail, and battled racism and hatred at every turn. At a time when it would've been so easy to use his fists, he embraced the path of peace. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream and he was committed to sharing it.
Having just celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I think it is important to spend some time reflecting on what he accomplished and how he accomplished it. He knew injustice existed in his world so he took action to fight it, organizing a movement and using just his words and powerful speaking ability. It was not the easy way but he committed himself to that path nonetheless.
His speech wasn't finished until 3:30 a.m. that morning. FBI agents were stationed beside the PA system during the speech to pull the plug in case he said something they didn't like. He had received death threats, spent nights in jail, and battled racism and hatred at every turn. At a time when it would've been so easy to use his fists, he embraced the path of peace. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream and he was committed to sharing it.
Having just celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I think it is important to spend some time reflecting on what he accomplished and how he accomplished it. He knew injustice existed in his world so he took action to fight it, organizing a movement and using just his words and powerful speaking ability. It was not the easy way but he committed himself to that path nonetheless.
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s level of commitment to what he knew was right is inspiring. It should be a lesson to us to find things we can commit ourselves to. As a student, you can commit to giving your attention, effort and participation in class. Completing assignments on time and doing your best show that you are committed to your education and continuing to grow. As an athlete, being at every practice, working hard, pushing yourself and others, and being a good teammate shows that you are committed to your team. So, whether it's academics, sports, your family or community, commit to giving your best and continuing to improve. Even when your commitment is tested, things get hard and you experience failures, stay strong in your commitment to keep working toward your goals. It's a great time of year, with New Year's resolutions being made, to commit yourself to learning and growing.
Commodore Pride Update
-This month, faculty and staff will be looking for students displaying commitment for our Student of the Month nominations.
-The Dock, our Commodore Pride store, will be opening soon. Remember that the white Commodore Cards can be turned into the office to buy grade-level points or be entered into a drawing to win an Under Armour backpack or a gift card to the movies.
-Here are the latest standings for the grade-level competition:
In 1st place are the Seniors with 74 points.
In 2nd place are the Juniors with 66 points.
In 3rd place are the Freshmen with 59 points.
Show your Commodore Pride!
Mr. Zellers
References:
-The Dock, our Commodore Pride store, will be opening soon. Remember that the white Commodore Cards can be turned into the office to buy grade-level points or be entered into a drawing to win an Under Armour backpack or a gift card to the movies.
-Here are the latest standings for the grade-level competition:
In 1st place are the Seniors with 74 points.
In 2nd place are the Juniors with 66 points.
In 3rd place are the Freshmen with 59 points.
Show your Commodore Pride!
Mr. Zellers
References:
Meltzer, B. (2010). Heroes for My Son. New York: Harper Collins.
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Work Ethic
Recently, through our Commodore Pride program, you heard a little bit about what having a good work ethic means. I want to expand on that a little bit more in this post. There are a couple of stories I want to share that I believe highlight the importance of developing a good work ethic.
She was only the 16th woman to ever be issued a pilot's license. She was a pioneer in aviation and became the first female to cross the Atlantic Ocean piloting a plane. She went on to break many flight records during her lifetime. Of course, we know her as Amelia Earhart. Most people talk about her amazing feats as a pilot and rightly so. I also want to point out what it took for her to be able to accomplish her goals and achieve her dreams. Before she became a pilot, she worked several jobs just to save enough money to pay for flying lessons. She worked as a truck driver, stenographer, and photographer earning the money. After earning her pilot's license, she continued to work multiple jobs and save money so she could buy her own used plane. She became one of the best known pilots the world would know but she had to work at it.
The next story also involves a pilot. At 10 years old, he started cutting grass so he could earn enough money to buy a model plane. At fifteen, he worked 3 jobs at 40 cents per hour to pay for flying lessons. At 16, he earned his pilot's license. At 30, he had tested 200 different aircraft and set the record for going faster and higher than any pilot had gone before. By the time he turned 39, Neil Armstrong floated down a ladder, took a small step, and began walking on the moon. It wasn't just the one small step that got him to the moon, it was the thousands that came before it.
Everyone has goals and dreams they wish to accomplish. I share these two stories because they are perfect examples of what it takes to achieve what we set out to do. Both of these individuals developed a strong work ethic early on in their life that prepared them to do great things. At Perry Central, we have great opportunities for you to begin developing a strong work ethic through our Work Ethic Certification and Commodore Pride programs. Beginning your junior year, you have the chance to earn a certification that has been recognized by the governor's office and local employers. If you want more information about this, please stop by the office and see me.
In closing, I want you to think about a few reflective questions and ask yourself the following: What kind of work ethic do I have? How can I develop a good work ethic? How can a good work ethic help me achieve my goals?
Here are the latest Commodore Pride standings. Remember there are still several chances to earn points for your grade level. The Freshmen and Juniors are trying to runaway with it this quarter!
12th- 261
11th- 910
10th- 335
9th- 880
8th- 513
7th- 355
Show your Commodore Pride!
Mr. Zellers
References:
She was only the 16th woman to ever be issued a pilot's license. She was a pioneer in aviation and became the first female to cross the Atlantic Ocean piloting a plane. She went on to break many flight records during her lifetime. Of course, we know her as Amelia Earhart. Most people talk about her amazing feats as a pilot and rightly so. I also want to point out what it took for her to be able to accomplish her goals and achieve her dreams. Before she became a pilot, she worked several jobs just to save enough money to pay for flying lessons. She worked as a truck driver, stenographer, and photographer earning the money. After earning her pilot's license, she continued to work multiple jobs and save money so she could buy her own used plane. She became one of the best known pilots the world would know but she had to work at it.
The next story also involves a pilot. At 10 years old, he started cutting grass so he could earn enough money to buy a model plane. At fifteen, he worked 3 jobs at 40 cents per hour to pay for flying lessons. At 16, he earned his pilot's license. At 30, he had tested 200 different aircraft and set the record for going faster and higher than any pilot had gone before. By the time he turned 39, Neil Armstrong floated down a ladder, took a small step, and began walking on the moon. It wasn't just the one small step that got him to the moon, it was the thousands that came before it.
Everyone has goals and dreams they wish to accomplish. I share these two stories because they are perfect examples of what it takes to achieve what we set out to do. Both of these individuals developed a strong work ethic early on in their life that prepared them to do great things. At Perry Central, we have great opportunities for you to begin developing a strong work ethic through our Work Ethic Certification and Commodore Pride programs. Beginning your junior year, you have the chance to earn a certification that has been recognized by the governor's office and local employers. If you want more information about this, please stop by the office and see me.
In closing, I want you to think about a few reflective questions and ask yourself the following: What kind of work ethic do I have? How can I develop a good work ethic? How can a good work ethic help me achieve my goals?
Here are the latest Commodore Pride standings. Remember there are still several chances to earn points for your grade level. The Freshmen and Juniors are trying to runaway with it this quarter!
12th- 261
11th- 910
10th- 335
9th- 880
8th- 513
7th- 355
Show your Commodore Pride!
Mr. Zellers
References:
Meltzer, B. (2010). Heroes for My Son. New York: Harper Collins.
Monday, October 3, 2016
Teamwork
Dick and Judy Hoyt's son, Rick, was born with cerebral palsy, unable to walk or talk. His parents found a computer that could write his thoughts from a few head movements he could make. At the age of 10, he spoke his first sentence using that computer. In high school, Rick learned of a five-mile charity run for a newly paralyzed teenager. Rick told his father they had to do something to send a message that life goes on. Though he wasn't a runner, Dick never hesitated. He'd run the race pushing his son in his wheelchair the whole way. They finished next to last but it was still a victory. That night, Rick typed these words to his dad: "Dad, when I'm running, it feels like my disability disappears." So, Dick kept running with Rick always out in front. Together they made up Team Hoyt and ran 234 triathlons, 67 marathons, and 6 ironmans. They also founded the Team Hoyt Foundation that "aspires to build the individual character, self-confidence and self-esteem of America's disabled young people." Team Hoyt's motto: "Yes you can."
I share this because it is an inspiring story of teamwork. The Hoyt family is a great team. Each of them rely on each other for something and together they have been able to achieve a lot of success and do a lot of good. We are all a part of a team in one way or another. Some may be on a sports team, a member of band, on student council, or a member of an organization or club. Teams work together towards a common goal. In great teams, everyone knows what their role is and commits to that role for the good of the whole team but also allows its members to think outside of the box and bring in new ideas. Teams that selflessly work together are able to achieve great success. Every member of a team brings unique talents, skills and ideas. I think Mother Theresa sums this up best: "I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things." The student of the month theme for October is TEAMWORK. Teachers will be looking for students who are demonstrating the qualities of great team members. So, think about what defines a great teammate and do your best to be that kind of person whether it's on your sports team, in your club or organization, or even when working in a group during class projects.
Here are the latest grade-level standings. Remember there are several opportunities this week to earn more points for your grade-level before the quarter comes to an end. Attendance at Thursday's volleyball game, Friday's Senior Night football game, and Saturday's cross country sectional will earn you points.
12th- 614
11th- 478
10th- 461
9th- 392
8th- 616
7th- 695
Show your Commodore Pride!
Mr. Zellers
References:
I share this because it is an inspiring story of teamwork. The Hoyt family is a great team. Each of them rely on each other for something and together they have been able to achieve a lot of success and do a lot of good. We are all a part of a team in one way or another. Some may be on a sports team, a member of band, on student council, or a member of an organization or club. Teams work together towards a common goal. In great teams, everyone knows what their role is and commits to that role for the good of the whole team but also allows its members to think outside of the box and bring in new ideas. Teams that selflessly work together are able to achieve great success. Every member of a team brings unique talents, skills and ideas. I think Mother Theresa sums this up best: "I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things." The student of the month theme for October is TEAMWORK. Teachers will be looking for students who are demonstrating the qualities of great team members. So, think about what defines a great teammate and do your best to be that kind of person whether it's on your sports team, in your club or organization, or even when working in a group during class projects.
Here are the latest grade-level standings. Remember there are several opportunities this week to earn more points for your grade-level before the quarter comes to an end. Attendance at Thursday's volleyball game, Friday's Senior Night football game, and Saturday's cross country sectional will earn you points.
12th- 614
11th- 478
10th- 461
9th- 392
8th- 616
7th- 695
Show your Commodore Pride!
Mr. Zellers
References:
Meltzer, B. (2010). Heroes for My Son. New York: Harper Collins.
www.teamhoyt.com
www.teamhoyt.com
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Learning from Failure
Commodores,
I hope your first few weeks of school have gone well and that you are settling in to your new routine. This week, I want to share a story I think we can all learn from and apply to our lives in and out of school. With my background as a history teacher, I love a good story from our past. I especially like stories about ordinary people that do extraordinary things. These stories help us realize that all of us can do something incredible with enough hard work and determination. I've been reading a book called, Heroes for My Son, by Brad Meltzer, that has a bunch of these stories. I'll be sharing more of them as the year goes on.
This story is about the Wright Brothers, inventors of the world's first flying machine. They were ordinary people, bicycle salesmen from North Carolina. Their father gave them a flying toy as children and a dream was born. Here is an excerpt from the book:
"Every day, they knew they'd fail. Every time they'd go out to fly-every time-they brought extra materials because they knew their fledgling design would crash. Crash and rebuild. Crash and rebuild. But never ever, ever give up."
The Wright bothers were passionate, hard working, had a dream and knew that failure was just a part of the learning process. Ordinary people who did something extraordinary. I believe there is positive and negative failure. Negative failure happens when bombing a test, striking out with runners on base, or missing the big shot are the end of the story. Positive failure happens when those things are just part of the story, just part of learning. It happens when we bomb that test, then ask a teacher for help, spend extra time studying and ace the next one. It happens when we strike out or miss a big shot, go to practice the next day and work even harder, spend extra time at the gym or field and then come through, in the clutch, the next time. Like the Wright brothers, our stories will probably include some failures but if we realize that it's just part of the learning process, our story will end in success.
Here's a quick update on the Commodore Pride grade level standings:
Seniors- 356 pts.
Juniors- 262 pts.
Sophomores- 318 pts.
Freshmen- 258 pts.
8th Grade- 365 pts.
7th Grade- 367 pts.
Congratulations to the 8th Grade for recording the fewest tardies to date! Keep up the good work!
Remember grade-levels that reach 1,000 points will receive a reward, as will the grade-level who earns the most points.
Show Your Commodore Pride,
Mr. Zellers
Reference:
I hope your first few weeks of school have gone well and that you are settling in to your new routine. This week, I want to share a story I think we can all learn from and apply to our lives in and out of school. With my background as a history teacher, I love a good story from our past. I especially like stories about ordinary people that do extraordinary things. These stories help us realize that all of us can do something incredible with enough hard work and determination. I've been reading a book called, Heroes for My Son, by Brad Meltzer, that has a bunch of these stories. I'll be sharing more of them as the year goes on.
This story is about the Wright Brothers, inventors of the world's first flying machine. They were ordinary people, bicycle salesmen from North Carolina. Their father gave them a flying toy as children and a dream was born. Here is an excerpt from the book:
"Every day, they knew they'd fail. Every time they'd go out to fly-every time-they brought extra materials because they knew their fledgling design would crash. Crash and rebuild. Crash and rebuild. But never ever, ever give up."
The Wright bothers were passionate, hard working, had a dream and knew that failure was just a part of the learning process. Ordinary people who did something extraordinary. I believe there is positive and negative failure. Negative failure happens when bombing a test, striking out with runners on base, or missing the big shot are the end of the story. Positive failure happens when those things are just part of the story, just part of learning. It happens when we bomb that test, then ask a teacher for help, spend extra time studying and ace the next one. It happens when we strike out or miss a big shot, go to practice the next day and work even harder, spend extra time at the gym or field and then come through, in the clutch, the next time. Like the Wright brothers, our stories will probably include some failures but if we realize that it's just part of the learning process, our story will end in success.
Here's a quick update on the Commodore Pride grade level standings:
Seniors- 356 pts.
Juniors- 262 pts.
Sophomores- 318 pts.
Freshmen- 258 pts.
8th Grade- 365 pts.
7th Grade- 367 pts.
Congratulations to the 8th Grade for recording the fewest tardies to date! Keep up the good work!
Remember grade-levels that reach 1,000 points will receive a reward, as will the grade-level who earns the most points.
Show Your Commodore Pride,
Mr. Zellers
Reference:
Meltzer, B. (2010). Heroes for My Son. New
York: Harper Collins.
Friday, August 5, 2016
A Fresh Start
Welcome Back Students!
The beginning of a new school year can come with feelings
of excitement and anxiety. It is a fresh
start and a new year brings new classes, experiences and possibilities...a chance to set the tone to have a great year! Some of you are new to the Jr.-Sr. High
School and will be spending some time figuring out lockers, finding your way
around and meeting new teachers. Don’t
worry, there will be plenty of people to help you!
With the beginning of this new school year, we are
implementing a new initiative called Commodore Pride. Hopefully, during the first couple of days
you learned more about it. We have
established three school-wide expectations: Responsibility, Respect, and
Character. When you follow these three
expectations, you are showing your Commodore Pride. Success in school and a career are dependent
on how well you perform in these three categories. Throughout the year, we will be looking for
students who are demonstrating these expectations. There will be grade-level competitions,
challenges, and individual rewards given based on these expectations. We aren’t perfect all the time so, when
necessary, we will be re-teaching the expectations. We are proud of the tradition and reputation
Perry Central has and you are a huge part of that!
It is my goal to be in touch with you monthly, through
this blog, to provide words of encouragement and update you with Commodore
Pride information. Have a great
year and remember to show your Commodore Pride!
Mr. Zellers
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