BOOMERANG YOUTH
    RECOGNITION AWARD

ASSETS 2011-2012

From the Principal's Desk...

New Opportunity 

January is a wonderful month - truly. I may be the only adult in my home who actually believes this - and perhaps my opinion has everything to do with the upcoming birthday I share with our almost 5-year old. Sure, on average, it's the coldest month of the year for us Northern Hemisphere folks, and that can make the best of us a bit more ornery from time-to-time. But the daylight hours are getting longer!  

Put all of the above aside and consider the significance of "January":
* We are free of immediate holiday expectations;
* We have an open door for new opportunity;
* We are given a second chance to accomplish those unfinished goals;
* We have a fresh start to a new, unwritten year!

Which is why at this moment - it is important for each of us to fill this time with significant and positive experiences: emotional, physical, mental, even spiritual. A recently shared NY Times article got me thinking about this on a few levels - mainly back to my own schooling memories.

Obviously my earlier years are a bit clouded with time, but I remember the names of certain teachers and staff - and the feelings I associated with many of them. My grandmotherly, first grade teacher (who taught my whole family at one point of our lives) was the person who taught me how to read. In third grade, another teacher introduced me to other cultures when she invited foreign exchange students to speak about their countries. My favorite PE teacher always directed his infectious sense of humor at the ball and never at me. And I remember my HS Social Studies teacher's strange bulletin board displaying his airplane "sick-bag" collection - received from the travel's of his students - linking to destinations all over the world. But more importantly how he helped me grasp the connections to understand and appreciate World Geography (and traveling).

I remember all of these positive experiences my memories generate - the laughter, the learning, the successes (and challenges) - and the impact of each on my life so far. With January comes "opportunity" - And when I reflect on the above, I also want the opportunity to be a person who is positively remembered... As a husband, I want to "be there" - To be Reliable. Responsible. And supportive. To embrace "this journey". As a parent, I want to be like my father - A dad who smiles. Comforts. Guides. And enjoys being silly with my kids. As an administrator, I want to be an educator who cares. Who listens. Who remains supportive whether providing consequences or sideline cheers.

This is my moment: To refocus; To reconnect; To positively impact someone; To make the most of each new experience. What an opportunity! January truly is a wonderful month.

Happy New Year!
Karl Funseth, Principal