91èÏÈÉú

From the desk of Tammy Hayes, Middle School Principal:

Think about the whole of life with me for a moment. And, if you will, consider the mirror image it is for our educational journey from pre-kindergarten (preschool for some) all the way through high school. We have a careful beginning, lots of intentional nurturing and structure mixed in with foundational benchmarks that create the learner in each of us. Then, we take a sharp turn into our middle years. There, we find opportunities to practice all we’ve been taught and perfect it as much as is possible. In the middle, we begin practicing what it means to be honest, responsible, caring, conscientious, organized, patriotic, mindful of others, servant-hearted, and a whole host of other character traits involved in becoming who we finally are as adults.

And if we consider the final turn around another lengthy bend, in the final four grades, we begin to feel our stride and live it out – solidify our being, remain confident in our values, keep our belief systems in plac, and our minds and actions set on contributing to the world around us in a significant, hopefully generational way. This is maturity. Though always challenged by the culture’s often twisted turns, we have examples and personal histories to guide us over hills and through the valleys; and if spiritually grounded, the holy spirit of God’s constant merciful help to keep us breathing at high altitudes or squeeze through the crevices when they show up.

At 91èÏÈÉú, we have intentionally planned for the whole child with the whole life’s journey in mind. In as many ways as possible, we attempt every day to help students navigate life. Though there is no perfect place, we believe we have a clear view of the roads ahead, desiring to build into our students a solid foundation full of character that helps them reach their God-given potential. We cannot force-drive them of course. Sadly, it’s not Driver’s Ed. But, we can put policies and frameworks in place that are meant to give them the clearest path possible to success and build life-long learners with heart that contribute to the world around them.

Some of these practices land particular to our middle school years, and we believe they make all the difference in attitudes that are foundational to the formation of students to adults.

Two unique practices at The 91èÏÈÉú Middle School that stand out are our attention to teaching respect and service. Middle school students are taught to show respect to their elders, their authorities and one another. Again, it’s the middle; we are practicing. Sometimes we get it right; other times, we learn from our mistakes.

One of the ways that The 91èÏÈÉú school continues to hold the standard of respect is by a physical representation of standing at the beginning of every class when teachers close the door to begin instruction. This reminds students that there is authority in the room, and they are not it. It also establishes the unseen plan in place for learning.

Another physical representation is one that is meant to teach each student to have a servant’s heart and taking care of one’s property. Every Wednesday afternoon, students are dismissed 10 minutes early from their last class. They return to their advisory leader who oversees them cleaning a part of our school’s campus. Students doing chores to benefit the very campus they enjoy is a life-long skill worthy of our mission.

I don’t believe anyone in any school thinks they are doing everything right or getting through to every child. However, at 91èÏÈÉú, we are dedicated to continuing to offer students opportunities to get it right, and we determine to have a life-long impact on the way they view the roads ahead and the world around them. We hope when they walk across our stage and into the world, they will be the difference-makers because what we did for them made all the difference.