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:

Meltzer, B. (2010). Heroes for My Son. New York: Harper Collins.

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:

Meltzer, B. (2010). Heroes for My Son. New York: Harper Collins.
www.teamhoyt.com

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:

Meltzer, B. (2010). Heroes for My Son. New York: Harper Collins.

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!

Be Responsible, Be Respectful, Show Character- 

Mr. Zellers