In 11 days, I will proudly walk my oldest daughter down the aisle as she gets married. This will be a brand new experience so I'm not sure what my emotions will be like on June 10th. As the big day rapidly approaches, it has forced me to spend lots of time strolling down "Memory Lane" and wondering where all the time went.
It was just "yesterday" that Taylor Jordan Lucas was born on July 15, 1993 at 1:01 PM EST in Ocala, Florida weighing in at 7 pounds and 6 ounces while stretching out at 20.5 inches long. She had beautiful and wide eyes and no hair and was perfect in our eyes. My life changed for the better in an instant. I remember showing her off to my grandparents. I remember my cheeks hurting from smiling so much. I remember the unbelievable amount of pride and love that overtook my body.
I remember the sense of responsibility that overran my emotions. I remember trying to sleep thinking how lucky I was to be her dad. I remember what a great luck charm she was as my Braves rattled off 15-wins in a row after she was born and then FSU won their first national title that fall. I couldn't wait to get home each day to hug her. She used to take naps on my chest each day. Those were memories I will never forget!
It was just yesterday that we dressed her up as a nun for her 1st Halloween. It was just yesterday that we celebrated her 1st birthday at my grandparent's cabin in Bryson City, NC. It was just yesterday that she went to pre-school and colored all of her pumpkins black because she didn't "want to use the Gators color (orange) since we're Seminole fans." Yes, that was a proud moment for me but not so much for her mama!
It was just yesterday that I took her to school when I taught 3rd grade and she stayed under my desk playing with her little dinosaurs and coloring all day. It was just yesterday that she rode the bus with my football and basketball teams and sat on the bench with me when I coached.
It was just yesterday that she and I rode to Bartlett Grade School every day together as she was in 1st grade and I was a first-time school principal. It was just yesterday that we took Taylor and Micah to Disney World for the first time. That's my favorite all-time picture as Micah is hugging her big sister right inside the gates as they both seem to be saying, "we finally made it to Disney!"
It was just yesterday that I coached her in little league softball and basketball. It was just yesterday I saw her on stage at numerous dance recitals. It was just yesterday we moved to Franklin.
It was just yesterday that she nailed eight 3-pointers at Superior on her brother's birthday. It was just yesterday that she and I had a long heart-to-heart about whether or not to move to York. It was just yesterday that she got her driver's license. It was just yesterday that she and her sister qualified for state track with gutsy performances out in the district meet at Lexington. It was just yesterday she and Micah got me into Black Friday shopping!
She just graduated high school "yesterday." Her mama and I just dropped her off at Doane yesterday where we waited until she got inside her dorm before we balled like babies. We just saw here first collegiate race yesterday. She just passed her CPA exam "yesterday."
I'm proud of all of her great report cards and accomplishments but she is way more than "stuff." No race, report card, dance recital, game, or single event clouds my memory. Taylor is so much more than that.
Taylor makes me a better person. She makes me proud every single day. She is someone I admire and respect. I love her work ethic and her competitiveness. I love her sense of "family" as she is an amazing "big sister." I love her compassionate heart. I love her willingness to tackle tough tasks. I love her discipline. I love her sense of humor. I love her loyalty. I love her sense of purpose. I love her bright future.
Taylor, Micah, Jeb, Bo, and Liesl are my "why." They are the reason I choose to get out of bed each day. They are who I look forward to spending time with. I'm now proud to add Garrett to that mix. He and Taylor make a great couple and we are so excited for their future together.
I am sure I will shed some tears on June 10th but they will be tears of happiness and excitement. Taylor Lucas will become Taylor Borcher and we are so thankful she found a great husband from an awesome family. Walking her down the aisle will be a surreal experience but one that I'm happy to do.
I want to thank Taylor for making my life better.
As I stumble through my "father of the bride" speech on June 10th, I know I will leave lots of things out but I also know it is impossible to tell her and everyone else how much she means to me and how proud of her we are.
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
The Importance of Support Staff
Amazing school districts have amazing school teachers. That's a given. What our teachers do within the four walls of their classrooms each and every hour of each and every school day is of the utmost importance. You simply can't be a winning organization without winners in key roles.
However, another extremely important group of school employees, that often gets overlooked, is what we call support staff. These are our paras, secretaries, drivers, custodians, nurses, cooks, and all of the groups that often work "behind the scenes" but are so vitally important. York Public Schools is a winning team because of our support staff. We can't do what we do without them!
Our support staff doesn't always get the attention that administrators, coaches, and teachers get but that doesn't mean they aren't just as important. They often do the "little things" that get taken for granted by many. They often work with students that need it the most. They often deal with adults that are upset. They deal with tough driving conditions. They deal with large crowds and big messes. They deal with deadlines and to-do lists just like their certified counterparts.
My hat is off to all support staff employees. THANK YOU for being important in the development of our students. THANK YOU for being part of our TEAM. THANK YOU for your commitment to YPS. THANK YOU.
However, another extremely important group of school employees, that often gets overlooked, is what we call support staff. These are our paras, secretaries, drivers, custodians, nurses, cooks, and all of the groups that often work "behind the scenes" but are so vitally important. York Public Schools is a winning team because of our support staff. We can't do what we do without them!
Our support staff doesn't always get the attention that administrators, coaches, and teachers get but that doesn't mean they aren't just as important. They often do the "little things" that get taken for granted by many. They often work with students that need it the most. They often deal with adults that are upset. They deal with tough driving conditions. They deal with large crowds and big messes. They deal with deadlines and to-do lists just like their certified counterparts.
My hat is off to all support staff employees. THANK YOU for being important in the development of our students. THANK YOU for being part of our TEAM. THANK YOU for your commitment to YPS. THANK YOU.
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
I Messed Up Yesterday
Let's face it, I make mistakes every day. Yesterday at Kindergarten Graduation was no different. I was lucky to be able to address the large crowd for about two minutes. I thanked our teachers, staff, and administrators. That was a no-brainer. They're awesome! I thanked the parents of our students for sharing their children with us. That was easy.
I messed up by not hitting hard enough a couple of points I wanted to really emphasize. I told the parents and grandparents in attendance that even though our teachers and staff are amazing that parents and grandparents will ALWAYS be their children's most important teachers and advocates. I then kind of tailed off instead of hitting that again and again and again.
Parents and Grandparents are the most important people in the lives of young people. Being a parent is the toughest job in the world. Parents simply need to spend TIME with their children. Read with your kids. Let your kids help you cook. Go fishing together. Sit on the front porch and talk to each other. Play cards. PUT YOUR CELL PHONES AWAY. Watch a movie together. Go on a walk.
Too often, we think our love for our kids is measured in how much money we spend on them. It's not. The most important thing you can do with children is spend your TIME. Play catch. Work on a crossword puzzle together. Just be together.
A school year consists of about 13% of the hours in a 365-day year. That's not a typo. Do the math. A typical school year is about 1,125 hours of time in our classrooms. There are 8,760 hours in a year. Our students/kids are OUT of our classrooms for 87% of the year. Parents, grandparents, and family are the ultimate role models of their children.
To all parents and grandparents...embrace the opportunities and challenges you have to help your child each and every day.
Our kids grow up too fast....it seems like just yesterday I attended Kindergarten Graduation of my oldest daughter. On June 10th, I will walk her down the aisle as she gets married. Time flies. Enjoy your children!
I messed up by not hitting hard enough a couple of points I wanted to really emphasize. I told the parents and grandparents in attendance that even though our teachers and staff are amazing that parents and grandparents will ALWAYS be their children's most important teachers and advocates. I then kind of tailed off instead of hitting that again and again and again.
Parents and Grandparents are the most important people in the lives of young people. Being a parent is the toughest job in the world. Parents simply need to spend TIME with their children. Read with your kids. Let your kids help you cook. Go fishing together. Sit on the front porch and talk to each other. Play cards. PUT YOUR CELL PHONES AWAY. Watch a movie together. Go on a walk.
Too often, we think our love for our kids is measured in how much money we spend on them. It's not. The most important thing you can do with children is spend your TIME. Play catch. Work on a crossword puzzle together. Just be together.
A school year consists of about 13% of the hours in a 365-day year. That's not a typo. Do the math. A typical school year is about 1,125 hours of time in our classrooms. There are 8,760 hours in a year. Our students/kids are OUT of our classrooms for 87% of the year. Parents, grandparents, and family are the ultimate role models of their children.
To all parents and grandparents...embrace the opportunities and challenges you have to help your child each and every day.
Our kids grow up too fast....it seems like just yesterday I attended Kindergarten Graduation of my oldest daughter. On June 10th, I will walk her down the aisle as she gets married. Time flies. Enjoy your children!
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
PROJECT SEARCH
York Public Schools is extremely proud to be part of "Project Search," which is an internship program designed to transition young adults with disabilities from the high school setting into employment within the workplace. This rewarding program provides real-life work experience combined with training in employability and independent living skills to help young adults with disabilities make successful transitions from school to productive adult life.
Thanks to Beth Ericson, ESU 6, Nichole Wetjen, York General, and others for their commitment to this vital program. I just left Project Search Graduation where we honored Katlyn and Cody, two more YHS graduates. It is one of my favorite days of the year. The pride and enthusiasm that our Project Search students display as they learn various work skills is inspiring. Their work ethic and desire to work hard should be examples for us all!
I choked up a little as I listened to Nichole Wetjen passionately and tearfully reminiscing about the gains each of this year's graduates made. I smiled like a kid in a candy shop as I looked around the room and saw so much happiness and joy from the families of each graduate. Today was a tremendous accomplishment for Katlyn and Cody and a young man from Milford High. They earned their high school diplomas and completed work internships in multiple areas. All three have employment already lined up.
As I told the crowd before I proudly presented diplomas, Project Search is one of the best things we get to be involved with. It is refreshing to be around those that are so humble, thankful, and enthusiastic about working and learning. My hat is off to everyone involved with Project Search.
We are proud of you!
Thanks to Beth Ericson, ESU 6, Nichole Wetjen, York General, and others for their commitment to this vital program. I just left Project Search Graduation where we honored Katlyn and Cody, two more YHS graduates. It is one of my favorite days of the year. The pride and enthusiasm that our Project Search students display as they learn various work skills is inspiring. Their work ethic and desire to work hard should be examples for us all!
I choked up a little as I listened to Nichole Wetjen passionately and tearfully reminiscing about the gains each of this year's graduates made. I smiled like a kid in a candy shop as I looked around the room and saw so much happiness and joy from the families of each graduate. Today was a tremendous accomplishment for Katlyn and Cody and a young man from Milford High. They earned their high school diplomas and completed work internships in multiple areas. All three have employment already lined up.
As I told the crowd before I proudly presented diplomas, Project Search is one of the best things we get to be involved with. It is refreshing to be around those that are so humble, thankful, and enthusiastic about working and learning. My hat is off to everyone involved with Project Search.
We are proud of you!
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
LB-651 is a HORRIBLE Idea
Another day and another potential crisis for public education in Nebraska....Senator Linehan, a school choice advocate, wants to pass LB-651, which would require school districts to fail and retain 3rd graders that don't pass a high stakes reading level exam. Here is the email I sent off to all state senators earlier today....
State Senators:
LB-651 has caused quite a stir....folks in the Governor's office and even a few of you have taken jabs at public education by verbalizing that we are "against 3rd graders reading at/above grade level." It's always interesting to see how those clamoring for "school choice" take any attempt they can to try and make public education look bad.
We're opposed to LB-651 because of the retention piece, that we know from numerous studies, is harmful to children. (John Hattie's Study Regarding the Effects of Grade Retention)
We'd love for any and all of you to come visit York Elementary School at any time to go through our K-3rd grade reading program. Shadow our classroom teachers and/or our Title I teachers and/or our numerous community and parent volunteers to watch the small group work they do every single day. Come watch our DIBELS testing. Come see our tiered interventions. We bust our tails to help ALL kids read at and above grade level.
We're obviously not opposed to teaching children to read. That's laughable. We're extremely accountable to do so through NeSA and AQUESST.
We utilize numerous resources before school, during school, after school, and over the summer to deliver reading interventions in a variety of ways to help ALL readers improve their reading and comprehension abilities.
I know the "school choice advocates" are scurrying to find ways to make public schools look bad. I get that. They have orders to make school choice happen in Nebraska. They think allowing charter schools that aren't governed by locally elected school boards, that don't have transparency, don't have to follow public school guidelines, etc. is the way to go.
LB-651 isn't the answer. Forced retention of children is a horrible idea.
Did anyone behind this bill reach out to any school districts to see what they do to help struggling readers? Did this bill have any support within the education committee?
If LB-651 passes and we get charter schools at some point, will they also have to follow this guideline?
Please vote down LB-651. It's bad for children. Please reach out to your school districts (or York) and see what is already taking place.
State Senators:
LB-651 has caused quite a stir....folks in the Governor's office and even a few of you have taken jabs at public education by verbalizing that we are "against 3rd graders reading at/above grade level." It's always interesting to see how those clamoring for "school choice" take any attempt they can to try and make public education look bad.
We're opposed to LB-651 because of the retention piece, that we know from numerous studies, is harmful to children. (John Hattie's Study Regarding the Effects of Grade Retention)
We'd love for any and all of you to come visit York Elementary School at any time to go through our K-3rd grade reading program. Shadow our classroom teachers and/or our Title I teachers and/or our numerous community and parent volunteers to watch the small group work they do every single day. Come watch our DIBELS testing. Come see our tiered interventions. We bust our tails to help ALL kids read at and above grade level.
We're obviously not opposed to teaching children to read. That's laughable. We're extremely accountable to do so through NeSA and AQUESST.
We utilize numerous resources before school, during school, after school, and over the summer to deliver reading interventions in a variety of ways to help ALL readers improve their reading and comprehension abilities.
I know the "school choice advocates" are scurrying to find ways to make public schools look bad. I get that. They have orders to make school choice happen in Nebraska. They think allowing charter schools that aren't governed by locally elected school boards, that don't have transparency, don't have to follow public school guidelines, etc. is the way to go.
LB-651 isn't the answer. Forced retention of children is a horrible idea.
Did anyone behind this bill reach out to any school districts to see what they do to help struggling readers? Did this bill have any support within the education committee?
If LB-651 passes and we get charter schools at some point, will they also have to follow this guideline?
Please vote down LB-651. It's bad for children. Please reach out to your school districts (or York) and see what is already taking place.
FAMILY
My dad and step-mama came to York this past week for a quick visit. They live in Wildwood, FL so the weather change they witnessed from Thursday afternoon, over the weekend, and through Monday was eye-opening for them. Needless to say, as our temps dropped to the 30's on Sunday, they were missing 90 degrees in the sunshine state!
All of my family lives in Florida and I don't get to see them very much. I haven't been back there since 2012 and I need to do a better job of visiting. It got me thinking....which is always dangerous. My dad just turned 69 years old in April. Let's say we're lucky that he lives to be 95 years old. Let's say that I'm lucky enough to see him for eight days a year (often it is not that long) for the next 26 years. That comes to 208 days that I could possibly get to spend with my dad. That's less than seven months. That's not enough. That's sad.
As busy as we all get, as stressful as our jobs are, as hectic as life is, we must find time for family. We must reach out and make memories. We must embrace the limited opportunities we have to spend with loved ones. This is an area I have to improve in!
Here's to family. Near and far. Tell the ones you love how much they mean to you. Surprise them with a card or a phone call. "TIME" is deceiving.
All of my family lives in Florida and I don't get to see them very much. I haven't been back there since 2012 and I need to do a better job of visiting. It got me thinking....which is always dangerous. My dad just turned 69 years old in April. Let's say we're lucky that he lives to be 95 years old. Let's say that I'm lucky enough to see him for eight days a year (often it is not that long) for the next 26 years. That comes to 208 days that I could possibly get to spend with my dad. That's less than seven months. That's not enough. That's sad.
As busy as we all get, as stressful as our jobs are, as hectic as life is, we must find time for family. We must reach out and make memories. We must embrace the limited opportunities we have to spend with loved ones. This is an area I have to improve in!
Here's to family. Near and far. Tell the ones you love how much they mean to you. Surprise them with a card or a phone call. "TIME" is deceiving.
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