Summer Activities

It has been a while since my last post. With the flurry of activity near the end of the year and the difficulties associated with the past year, I decided I needed a break. Fortunately I was able to go on vacation with family to Wildwood Crest for a week. It is amazing how therapeutic time with family can be. Thanks to the great weather, most of the time was spent at the beach, where of course to my wife's dismay, I continued to read books about educational topics. However I did manage to do some serious body surfing. I even taught both my son and daughter how to do it. By the end of the vacation, they didn't need those boogie boards anymore! I played a very competitive round of miniature golf, managing to beat my wife by three strokes (She normally wins). I definitely ate more ice cream than I should have, but I can't resist those Kohrs brothers stands on the boardwalk. The highlight of the trip was the water park. For the first time, my kids decided they were ready to go down the adult slides. Times like these remind me how important it is for my own soul not to neglect time with my spouse and children.

Sitting in a beach chair at the end of a long beach day staring out at the ocean can also lead to some insightful self reflection. One evening, when the kids and my wife had gone for a walk looking for some seashells, I found myself reflecting on my life. More specifically, I thought about where I am with my life and asked myself if this was where I want to be. I came to the conclusion that I am happy with who I am and what I am doing with my life. I have a wonderful family, I have excellent health, good friends, parents and siblings I can count on and I make a difference in the world. I am not happy with everything, but I would not change anything.

As all good times do, my vacation had to come to an end. I was sad, but at least I felt rejuvenated. Most people don't realize how much has to be done in the school system during the summertime. There are the routine tasks like receiving, processing and distributing orders, and thoroughly cleaning all of the buildings. Other regular tasks include updating all of the curriculum guides, providing teacher training, updating staff and student handbooks, and completing class lists and student schedules. In addition, we have multiple one time projects like converting our student information system to Powerschool and implementing a new formative assessment system. We are busy and that does make the summer go fast. I always have some anxiety about whether we will get everything ready for the opening of school. Yet, I know from past experience that it will all get done because Alexandria is blessed to have a dedicated and determined crew holding down "the fort" during these summer months.