Be the Spark This School Year

There’s something special about the start of a new school year.

After a quiet summer, our hallways are ready to welcome back the energy, curiosity, and excitement that only students can bring. While the calendar follows a familiar rhythm each year, the students who walk through our doors are entirely new. Each one brings unique strengths, challenges, dreams, and experiences that we may not immediately see.

That is what makes education so meaningful.

As educators, we are entrusted with teaching important academic skills that prepare students for their futures. Every lesson matters. Every day matters. But lasting impact often begins long before a student masters a math concept or writes a strong essay.

It begins with connection.

Many students arrive at school carrying burdens that are invisible to those around them. A kind word, a welcoming smile, a patient conversation, or simply taking the time to ask, "How are you doing?" can make all the difference. Sometimes the smallest act of compassion becomes the moment a student begins to believe in themselves again.

Throughout my career, I have learned that we rarely know the full story behind a student's behavior. When we choose empathy instead of frustration, we create opportunities to change lives. Years later, former students often remember how an adult made them feel far more vividly than any individual lesson that was taught.

That responsibility belongs to every member of our school community.

Whether you are a teacher, paraeducator, bus driver, custodian, secretary, food service employee, coach, administrator, or volunteer, you have the opportunity to positively influence a student's day. Every interaction contributes to creating schools where students feel safe, valued, and inspired to learn.

As we begin another school year, I encourage all of us to remember that our work extends beyond curriculum and test scores. We are helping young people discover confidence, resilience, and hope for the future.

My challenge to every member of our district this year is simple: be the spark.

You never know when a small act of kindness, encouragement, or understanding may ignite a lifelong passion for learning—or change the trajectory of a child's life.

Here's to a wonderful school year. Welcome back, and thank you for everything you do for our students.

Playing Up!

During the last legislative session, the general assembly changed the period of athletic ineligibility from 90 school days to 140 calendar days. The idea behind this change was to take into consideration students who were transferring into a school district that may operate a calendar with a 4 day school week. In essence, this change is minimal and, since we have a 5 day school week carries little consequence. However, of greater significance was an amendment to the bill that now includes a provision which would allow 8th grade students to participate in high school athletics. Today I want to explain exactly what this means and our approach here in Hudson. 

Now, I'm going to give myself the opportunity to change my position on this, but at this point I was/am uncertain this is a great idea. In fact, most of the superintendents that I've talked to in the area have expressed reservations. Furthermore, I am unable to figure out who advocated for this change. My supposition is that it may have originated in some of the smaller schools in very rural corners of the state who not only have challenging enrollment, but in those where the problem is exacerbated by an inability to field teams. If that is the driving force, which would make sense; then I can empathize and get behind the idea. However...

Let's first keep in mind what this is...and what this isn't. While we currently allow 8th grade students to participate in softball and baseball, this isn't going to be the same way it works going forward. We have to pick one or the other; and once 'rostered' on a high school team, there is no going back to the junior high level. Right now, for 8th graders playing high school baseball or softball, those athletes can flow back and forth between those rosters. But with this change in law, if a student is moved to the high school team and doesn't get to play, they can't move back down to the junior high level. 

I worry a little bit about the junior or senior in high school who has put in the time, attending the open gyms and never missing a practice. They've patiently waited for their shot. Then, they lose that starting position to an underclassman that hasn't yet stepped foot in the high school. Granted, the goal in high school athletics is to win games: so I understand the argument that the position should go to the best athlete. I also understand the argument that the purpose of junior high athletics is not just participation, but learning about sportsmanship, the rules of the game and fair play. I wonder what happens to those programs if the 'elite' athletes are promoted. Does it mean less success for those who remain? Does this in turn result in an unintended deterioration of those programs?

As has been pretty clear in this column, my position on this is anything but. Although, I admit that there is room for my view to evolve. The fact is, there are somewhere in the neighborhood of 25 states that already allow this. It has gone fine for them and when asked they stated, 'What's the big deal?'. What's the big deal indeed.

That rule is now in place and effective as of August 1. What that means is that districts are free to make those decisions. However, the caveat is that the regulations have not been fully promulgated by the state board of education. That means that we are still in the rulemaking process. Furthermore, our own school board has only had one reading of the proposed policy and it isn't scheduled for final approval until the August meeting. The latest guidance we have received from the school board association is that we need to take our time.

So then, in Hudson we are planning to 'slow roll' this process. However, this is they way we are currently thinking this through. First off, those decisions will be made by those best positioned to make them: the activity director, head coach, and athletic trainer. Ultimately, any decisions made will be guided by what is truly best for all of our student-athletes and the long term health of our athletic programs; not just to rush to adopt to a new rule in the interest of expediency. As rulemaking at the state level wraps up and our local board completes its review, we will keep our families informed. Our goal remains unchanged: to foster an environment where every student, whether in junior high or high school, has the opportunity to grow, compete, and succeed.