In my experience as a teacher and principal, I have found February and March to be two of the more trying months of the school year. We are in the middle of Winter, and as I write this on Friday morning there is talk of a possible Winter storm on Tuesday. Schools are coming down after an exciting week of activities celebrating our Lutheran Schools. Administrators are well into the budgeting, enrollment, and staffing processes for 2016-2017. I've also found that I had more student disciplinary issues in the months of February and March. Combine all of this with the start of the more somber Lenten season and it is easy to get worn down, stressed out, and maybe even a little depressed.

 

Yet, we look forward with hope. We look forward with hope to the start of Spring and warmer temperatures. We look forward with hope to Spring break and the chance to take a breath. We look forward with hope to Easter and the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord. Over the next few weeks as you get bogged down in the planning, the student discipline, and the general Winter malaise, take time to pause and look forward with hope.