A March to Remember

When we return from winter break in January, I tell our staff that we are now entering the longest stretch of the school year. There are few breaks and it is typically cold, dark, and oftentimes the weather is undesirable. Iowa in winter. It's not always an enjoyable experience. Absent the early part of January, we largely dodged many snow days. But, that's not to say it wasn't cold and oftentimes messy. I've ruined at least one pair of shoes tromping around our construction site over the last couple of months. Even as I write this blog on the afternoon of March 24, 2024, I look out the window from my office here at home and: it's snowing. Indeed, the winter months are often those we hope pass us by quickly; with a longing for the promise of spring, the scent of fresh cut grass, and the blooming of flowers and trees.  The advice I offer to our staff is to leverage the cold to our advantage. It may be too cold to have outdoor recess some days, but it provides an opportunity ripe for student advancement. There is no mistake that we often see the greatest gains in student learning during this time period. 

This winter though, has been--unique. As I alluded to above our snow days were all compacted into a relatively small window over about one week in January. To be clear, that is not what has caused our winter to be so special. It is because our students have given us a lot to be proud of! Of course we have to begin with the historic run of our boys basketball team, culminating in our first appearance at the state tournament since 1994. It was a lot of fun watching this team play, and even on those cold nights it wasn't too hard to find the motivation to get out and watch a ball game. 

Our high school jazz band found its groove this season as well, earning Division 1 ratings in each of its competitions. I had a chance to hear the jazz band perform for the first time over this past weekend and was blown away at the quality of their sound. Hudson High School has been known for decades as a jazz powerhouse, and they definitely flexed their muscles this season!

Yes, March of 2024 has been quite remarkable for our school district. (Even as I watch it snow out my window.) While the state basketball tournament may stand alone as a 'crown jewel' during the first part of the month, it's fair to say the end of the month has been equally impressive.

It began with the FFA banquet on Friday evening. I always enjoy this event (the food is great too, but that is beside the point), mostly due to the fact that it is organized and put on by the FFA. By the FFA, I mean the students. They are the 'master of ceremony' and without their work and attention to detail, it wouldn't be the success it is. The banquet isn't about the food though, it is a celebration of these students' accomplishments. For sure these young people have earned numerous accolades over the course of the year: national recognition, leadership awards, state fair honors; the agenda and order of events is quite impressive. Yet for all the awards received, the most important takeaway is the leadership of these young people. Many have started small businesses of their own, using skills they have learned in the FFA!

Saturday evening was the music departments night to shine. With their annual 'jazz cafe' concert, they didn't disappoint. As mentioned earlier, the high school jazz band was the real show-stopper with their powerful set and well tuned chops. Their rendition of 'Manteca' by jazz icon Dizzy Gillespie was absolutely fantastic! Then we closed with our jazz choir, finishing just their 3rd year of existence. It has been a blast to watch these musicians grow and develop their craft! This year the choir tentatively entered the arena of competition and proved they are up to the challenge. I am so very proud of them and excited for their future. And the set they put together was masterfully programmed to highlight the talent of the group. 

As different as each of these activities were, there was one key commonality woven throughout. The students. In many instances, the activity may be different but the students were the same. A basketball player in the FFA. An FFA member in the jazz band/choir. I am sure there have been many times this winter when these students went directly from one practice or rehearsal to another. This cross pollination of students, their ability and encouragement to participate in a bevy of activities is woven into the DNA of our school district. Indeed many a parent was 'run ragged' by a jam packed and oftentimes unforgiving calendar of events. I suspect many a time, managing a calendar that seemed unmanageable, all while creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Finally, I would be remiss without mentioning the contributions of the teachers and coaches who devoted countless hours preparing these students for the competitions and performances that we so enjoyed. In each case, these adults went out of their way to direct the spotlight away from them and onto the students who were in the arena. Watching them interact with their students and hearing the emotion in their voices when acknowledging their contributions to the program is telling. They care. They care a great deal about these students and want to see them succeed as much, perhaps more so that anyone else. I see tears of happiness, celebrating student success. I see tears of sadness, that in these waning days of of the season, of the school year, that is it all beginning to come to conclusion. It has been a very memorable March!