the front view of North Star
Skretta's Scroll-December 2011 Special Edition
Thoughts to Consider at the Holidays:
How Good Schools Work Like Good Medical Practices
As we head rapidly into the end of the first semester and the upcoming Winter Break, I would like to extend my best wishes for a safe and happy season. I am thrilled to be an educator and I’m glad that we have so many opportunities to simultaneously consider closure and renewal in the process of teaching and learning. Here we are at the end of the calendar year and at the end of the first semester of the 2011-2012 school year. This gives us cause to pause and reflect back on 2011 and the first half of the school year, at the same time that we begin to look ahead and plan for 2012 and the second semester.
There are several thoughts that I would like to offer for your consideration here. First, the essay that I share below speaks to the writing process, something about which all of our teachers and students (we hope!) are quite familiar. The essay is just the current draft of something that has continued to evolve over the last seven plus years since becoming a cancer survivor, and it continues to evolve every time I consider writing more about it. Writing is an important part of my role as Principal at North Star and one of the primary ways in which I communicate with others. Writing is a life-long skill that is fundamental to being able to express oneself and share our experiences, thoughts, and information.
A second important point about sharing this essay is that we are at a logical point in the year to do some self-examination and to conduct a quick progress check to see how things are going. I hope that each of you can say that you have given your best effort, worked respectfully and responsibly with others, and chosen a positive attitude every day.
That said, I am sharing the attached essay at what I consider to be an important time for North Star High School. In my estimation, we have had a good start to the year and there have been several positive developments for our school. These range from outstanding student performances in academics, fine arts, athletics, and all kinds of activities, to new ways in which we are working as a faculty and staff to serve our students and their families better.
However, we are only halfway there, and there is much learning to be done as we continue toward May 26, 2012. In this essay I reflect on my experiences as a cancer survivor and educator. It is intended to be food for thought and to provide a way of thinking about some of the keys to success in meeting the educational needs of EVERY student at North Star High School. I look forward to continuing to help our students and staff as we work together, and I’m excited about the tremendous opportunities that are offered to students at LNS. Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season ahead!
~Dr. Fred Skretta, Principal
