At Life School it is our hope that all stakeholders embrace a standard of excellence. If we are all at our best the impossible can be made possible. All of us must do our part to invest a standard of excellence into the lives of the students at Life School. As members of the Life School family we must start emphasizing excellence within our students at an early age so as they grow older they will know what their standard is.
We must ensure that we emphasize excellence through our example, through adversity, and with love.
The example that we set with our children is paramount. We all set the tone for them at an early age. No single person has a larger influence on children besides the primary caregiver. If we set the example high for our children they will work hard to reach the example that has been set for them.
We must also emphasize excellence through adversity. We all know that tough times will come. When adversity comes we have to show our children that we can still be excellent. I have often said that adversity reveals who we really are. If we have strong character and a standard of excellence even in tough times people will always know who we really are.
Finally we must emphasize excellence with love. Even when your children do not reach your standard of excellence you must pour love into their lives. We must always correct when needed, but it must always be in love.
Never forget the importance of excellence as we continue to build leadership in all of our Life School students.
Monday, October 13, 2014
Friday, July 25, 2014
What's Their Pulse?
Serving as a principal can be one of the most rewarding, yet challenging positions an individual can hold. Each day is like a roller coaster filled with dramatic highs and lows. If you serve as a secondary principal you are faced with even more challenges as it relates to leading the students you serve.
Students have so many tools today that allow them to communicate quickly and effectively. Unlike adults, students utilize social media and messaging programs all day for everything! The list is endless! Students stay connected mostly through these mediums: twitter, snap chat, Instagram, and Kik. There are many others, but currently the four listed above are their favorites.
So why should you know what their pulse is? It's simple, you are the principal and you are responsible for the effective management of the campus. As a HS principal I found that if you wanted to know about anything happening on campus, or what had the potential to happen you could find out about it on twitter. Long are the days that you have to wait for your student informant to give you all the info. That takes too long. Sometimes just searching the name of your school on twitter will tell it all! So what about that Senior prank? Someone's talking about it on twitter! What about that planned protest toward the new dress code? They have talked about it for a day and a half on twitter! Want to find out what the students think about a new planned initiative? No need for a survey! They have been having a no holds barred in depth discussion on twitter and Instagram for days about it!
What was so unique about all of this was even though my students would discuss many things on twitter they always knew that I was aware of what was going on. They knew I respected them and most of them showed respect. Always know that deep down your students want to exist in a great environment.
Distractions were always limited because we (most of the staff) knew the pulse of the students. We built relationships with them and were with them every step of the way. When we stepped into the building we were all family.
So, what will you do to know their pulse? You've got to rethink your approach! It's tough to keep up with it all, but it will payoff handsomely in the end!
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Your First Principal Job! Great!
Congratulations! You just got your first principal job! The job you have dreamed about your entire career! The board of education has entrusted you to run an entire school. If you are the principal of a large HS you are practically running a small city. I know you are excited! I have been blessed to have that wonderful feeling before. I just wanted to give you a few pointers as you start your service as a school principal.
It is my belief that the school principal is the most important factor in how well, or not well the school will do. If the principal does a good job, most likely the school will serve the students, and community well. Every principal has their own personality and their own way of doing things, that's what makes leadership so special. We all know that there isn't a cookie cutter approach to doing things right and transforming a school into the beacon of light that it should be. However, as you begin service there a few things that can help you as you get started.
1. Relationships, Relationships, Relationships
I placed this first because it is so important. Building relationships with your new school community is paramount. Do not make the mistake of missing out on relationship building for "Putting your stamp" on the school. If people get to know you and trust you, they will move with you as you try to create change. Send a letter out to your new staff and community and invite them up to meet with you. The welcome reception does not count. You need to make time to visit with every staff member that takes the time to come to visit with you. Use this time to listen to them, and not talk about yourself. Follow the meeting up with a note or an email highlighting one item of importance that they mentioned to you. Also spend time cultivating relationships with the leadership team that is already in place (assistant principals, counselors, department chairs/grade level leaders).
2. They Did Things Right Before You Arrived
Believe it or not the school did some great things before you got there. Yes, I know you looked at the scores and they weren't so hot. Yes, I know you looked at the discipline data and it wasn't so hot either. This does not mean that things weren't going well at the school. Again, take time to get to know people and how things actually worked at the school before you make big changes. If the scores need work it is okay to let them know that "We will work together to make our instructional program better!" They do not need you to beat them up about test scores when you first arrive and you do not even know them. Always remember to ask questions before you make big changes! There is a reason that the policy or procedure was in place. Just check it out.
3. Be Honest
Let's face it, you will be around these people everyday. If a teacher wearing flip flops will send you over the edge, let them know right away. This is good because they will not be surprised by it. Your staff wants to trust and follow you. If you communicate and communicate in an honest manner they will respect you even more.
4. Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing
Yes! You are on twitter, and connected to a powerful PLN. Each day you read twitter you see something new and exciting. Maybe it's a new way to do a faculty meeting, or the newest idea on how to reach kids. Stop! Take a minute and breathe! All of these things are probably good, but you are new to your campus. You do not have to Flip your first faculty meeting. This is great to do later on down the line. The people will be nervous enough. Remember they want to get to know you, they want you to get to know them, they want to know your vision for the instructional program, and they want to know that you will support them when the students struggle with behavior. So, keep the main thing the main thing.
5. Don't Forget to Have Fun
Being a principal should be fun (even though many times it doesn't feel like it). Smile a lot, shake hands, give hugs, and be there for the staff and students. Dress up on the dress up days for Homecoming. It's okay to get a little silly.
The work of the principal is so important. You can truly transform the thinking of just about everyone in the building if you choose. Just never forget that before you can transform their thinking they must get to know you, and trust you.
Be great!
For resources for principals please stop by www.texasprincipal.org
Herbert
It is my belief that the school principal is the most important factor in how well, or not well the school will do. If the principal does a good job, most likely the school will serve the students, and community well. Every principal has their own personality and their own way of doing things, that's what makes leadership so special. We all know that there isn't a cookie cutter approach to doing things right and transforming a school into the beacon of light that it should be. However, as you begin service there a few things that can help you as you get started.
1. Relationships, Relationships, Relationships
I placed this first because it is so important. Building relationships with your new school community is paramount. Do not make the mistake of missing out on relationship building for "Putting your stamp" on the school. If people get to know you and trust you, they will move with you as you try to create change. Send a letter out to your new staff and community and invite them up to meet with you. The welcome reception does not count. You need to make time to visit with every staff member that takes the time to come to visit with you. Use this time to listen to them, and not talk about yourself. Follow the meeting up with a note or an email highlighting one item of importance that they mentioned to you. Also spend time cultivating relationships with the leadership team that is already in place (assistant principals, counselors, department chairs/grade level leaders).
2. They Did Things Right Before You Arrived
Believe it or not the school did some great things before you got there. Yes, I know you looked at the scores and they weren't so hot. Yes, I know you looked at the discipline data and it wasn't so hot either. This does not mean that things weren't going well at the school. Again, take time to get to know people and how things actually worked at the school before you make big changes. If the scores need work it is okay to let them know that "We will work together to make our instructional program better!" They do not need you to beat them up about test scores when you first arrive and you do not even know them. Always remember to ask questions before you make big changes! There is a reason that the policy or procedure was in place. Just check it out.
3. Be Honest
Let's face it, you will be around these people everyday. If a teacher wearing flip flops will send you over the edge, let them know right away. This is good because they will not be surprised by it. Your staff wants to trust and follow you. If you communicate and communicate in an honest manner they will respect you even more.
4. Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing
Yes! You are on twitter, and connected to a powerful PLN. Each day you read twitter you see something new and exciting. Maybe it's a new way to do a faculty meeting, or the newest idea on how to reach kids. Stop! Take a minute and breathe! All of these things are probably good, but you are new to your campus. You do not have to Flip your first faculty meeting. This is great to do later on down the line. The people will be nervous enough. Remember they want to get to know you, they want you to get to know them, they want to know your vision for the instructional program, and they want to know that you will support them when the students struggle with behavior. So, keep the main thing the main thing.
5. Don't Forget to Have Fun
Being a principal should be fun (even though many times it doesn't feel like it). Smile a lot, shake hands, give hugs, and be there for the staff and students. Dress up on the dress up days for Homecoming. It's okay to get a little silly.
The work of the principal is so important. You can truly transform the thinking of just about everyone in the building if you choose. Just never forget that before you can transform their thinking they must get to know you, and trust you.
Be great!
For resources for principals please stop by www.texasprincipal.org
Herbert
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Final Week!
Wow! The last week of school has arrived! I know the students are excited! We will continue with Senior finals and will begin finals for all students Wednesday. Remember we have early release on Wednesday-Friday. Graduation will be this Friday at 8:00 pm at the Tiger competition gym.
Please click here to access the final exam schedule: Final Exam Schedule
Please click here to access the final exam schedule: Final Exam Schedule
Thank You Senior Men's Club
Sunday, May 25, 2014
A Heart for Service!
A big thank you to all of the students who helped out with field/fun days around the district this past Friday. Service is always a great way to give back! There were many great comments from teachers and administrators across the district. Thank you for having a heart for service. Go Tigers! #HomeofChampions
UIL One Act Play
A huge shout out goes to our UIL One Act Play team. They placed third at state! This is amazing! It was great to watch them perform at the beautiful Bass Concert Hall on the campus of the University of Texas @ Austin. Hearing "Corsicana High School" over and over on the big stage was something that I will never forget. Kudos to Ms. McLuckie and Mr. Healey for leading our students to success. Shout out to Christian Minniear and Danny Phillips for earning an honorable mention all star cast award, and to Tiano McDonald for earning an all-star cast award. Go Tigers! #HomeofChampions
UIL Current Events
Another shout out goes to Leland Cook for placing 6th in UIL Current Events at state. We are all proud of Leland Cook for once again representing Corsicana High School in a great way! Go Tigers! #HomeofChampions
UIL State Solo and Ensemble Contest
Shout out to all of the students who did a great job at the UIL State Solo and Ensemble Contest in Austin. We had students to participate in Choir and Band. Our students did an amazing job.
These percussionists in the Millenium percussion ensemble each received a first place medal:
Kevin Beldin
Patrick McLean
Miguel Pimentel
Lia Williams
Stacey Habib-Grant
Grayson Watkins
Briyana Miller
Cam Franklin
Hayley Smith
Katie Miller
Alberto Jimenez
Ricky Gonzalez
Grace Updegrove
Cameron Nelson
These students each received second for their brass ensembles:
Lexi Nelson
James McKissack
Hannah Murphy
Alex Cuellar
Zack Lewis
Jonathan Seaton
J'kneetra Dunbar
Oscar Flores
David Quinones
Danequa Dickson
Kati Alexander
Elizabeth Olvera
Menny Castro
Isaiah Palaimaea
Volunteering at Field Day
UIL One Act Play
A huge shout out goes to our UIL One Act Play team. They placed third at state! This is amazing! It was great to watch them perform at the beautiful Bass Concert Hall on the campus of the University of Texas @ Austin. Hearing "Corsicana High School" over and over on the big stage was something that I will never forget. Kudos to Ms. McLuckie and Mr. Healey for leading our students to success. Shout out to Christian Minniear and Danny Phillips for earning an honorable mention all star cast award, and to Tiano McDonald for earning an all-star cast award. Go Tigers! #HomeofChampions
Cast and Crew of Moby Dick Rehearsed
UIL Current Events
Another shout out goes to Leland Cook for placing 6th in UIL Current Events at state. We are all proud of Leland Cook for once again representing Corsicana High School in a great way! Go Tigers! #HomeofChampions
Leland Cook
UIL State Solo and Ensemble Contest
Shout out to all of the students who did a great job at the UIL State Solo and Ensemble Contest in Austin. We had students to participate in Choir and Band. Our students did an amazing job.
These percussionists in the Millenium percussion ensemble each received a first place medal:
Kevin Beldin
Patrick McLean
Miguel Pimentel
Lia Williams
Stacey Habib-Grant
Grayson Watkins
Briyana Miller
Cam Franklin
Hayley Smith
Katie Miller
Alberto Jimenez
Ricky Gonzalez
Grace Updegrove
Cameron Nelson
These students each received second for their brass ensembles:
Lexi Nelson
James McKissack
Hannah Murphy
Alex Cuellar
Zack Lewis
Jonathan Seaton
J'kneetra Dunbar
Oscar Flores
David Quinones
Danequa Dickson
Kati Alexander
Elizabeth Olvera
Menny Castro
Isaiah Palaimaea
These studenrs received 3rd for their saxophone quartet:
Jorge Escalante
Fabian Herrera
Natalie Herrin
Ramiro Ortiz
Congratulations to all of these students!
Choir:
1st Division Ratings:
Jasmine Ibanez
Zane Wilchar
2nd Division Ratings:
Reagan Fraze
Ana Garcia
Jennifer Gonzalez
Andrea Roundtree
Go Tigers! #HomeofChampions
Calicos
The CHS Calico dance team will will be preparing to perform at the prelims of the World Cup Game at AT&T stadium this week. They will travel to AT&T stadium on Thursday to rehearse with television producers, and other dancers in the DFW area. It will be great to see them perform on the big stage! Go Tigers! #HomeofChampions
1st Division Ratings:
Jasmine Ibanez
Zane Wilchar
2nd Division Ratings:
Reagan Fraze
Ana Garcia
Jennifer Gonzalez
Andrea Roundtree
Calicos
The CHS Calico dance team will will be preparing to perform at the prelims of the World Cup Game at AT&T stadium this week. They will travel to AT&T stadium on Thursday to rehearse with television producers, and other dancers in the DFW area. It will be great to see them perform on the big stage! Go Tigers! #HomeofChampions
Final Exams
Final exams will begin for Seniors this Thursday and will begin for all other students the following Wednesday. Please find the schedule here: Final Exam Schedule
Please click here for all of the CHS happenings.
The finish line is almost here!
Have a great week!
Top 3 Students of the Class of 2014
Thank You for the Wonderful Yearbook
Sunday, May 18, 2014
State UIL Academic Competition
Last week it was great to celebrate the amazing teachers of Corsicana High School. Our teachers are the heartbeat of our school, and we are thankful to have so many great teachers at Corsicana High School.
Awards Day
We will have our annual awards day celebration this Thursday at 8:30 am. This is such a great time to honor so many of our students. Please feel free to come out and help us celebrate our wonderful students!
State UIL Participants
This week many of our students will go to Austin to participate in state UIL academic events. The first event will be the state UIL One Act Play competition. We have 18 students participating which is awesome! This is only the second time Corsicana High School has been to the state UIL One Act Play competition. The last time was in 1963! They will compete on Tuesday during the first session which begins at 4:00 pm at the Bass Concert Hall. We compete 3rd.
Leland Cook will participate in the state Current Events competition. This is Leland's second state competition this year. He also participated in a state FFA competition. He will compete Wednesday.
Band and Choir students will compete at the state Solo and Ensemble competition this Friday and Saturday. Students will compete at various times during these two days. Go Tigers! #HomeofChampions
Distinguished Scholars Banquet
Finishing Strong
Students we encourage you to continue to finish strong! You have been doing great this year and we want to continue our greatness! Your teachers will still ask a lot of you and I know you will respond like Corsicana Tigers always do! Be great! Go Tigers! #HomeofChampions
Awards Day
We will have our annual awards day celebration this Thursday at 8:30 am. This is such a great time to honor so many of our students. Please feel free to come out and help us celebrate our wonderful students!
State UIL Participants
This week many of our students will go to Austin to participate in state UIL academic events. The first event will be the state UIL One Act Play competition. We have 18 students participating which is awesome! This is only the second time Corsicana High School has been to the state UIL One Act Play competition. The last time was in 1963! They will compete on Tuesday during the first session which begins at 4:00 pm at the Bass Concert Hall. We compete 3rd.
Leland Cook will participate in the state Current Events competition. This is Leland's second state competition this year. He also participated in a state FFA competition. He will compete Wednesday.
Band and Choir students will compete at the state Solo and Ensemble competition this Friday and Saturday. Students will compete at various times during these two days. Go Tigers! #HomeofChampions
Distinguished Scholars Banquet
A big shout out to all of the students who are in the top 10% of Corsicana High School. They were all honored at the 11th annual Corsicana Education Foundation's Dinstinguished Scholars Banquet. Many of our faculty and staff members were also honored along with the students.
Finishing Strong
Students we encourage you to continue to finish strong! You have been doing great this year and we want to continue our greatness! Your teachers will still ask a lot of you and I know you will respond like Corsicana Tigers always do! Be great! Go Tigers! #HomeofChampions
Senior Class of CHS
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Prom and a Few Other Things!
Wow! Prom was amazing last night! I want to first give a big shout out to Mrs. Fletes for doing a great job with prom. So much hard work goes into putting on such a huge event. She is one of the best at it! Thanks for making the night special for all of our students that attended!
We Love Our Teachers
We will celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week at Corsicana High School this week. We are thankful that we have such an amazing group of teachers!
Calicos
On Saturday, May 31st the Corsicana High School Calicos will be performing in the halftime show of the preliminary World Cup Soccer friendly between Mexico and Ecuador at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The game is already a sell-out with 80,000 tickets sold, and will be broadcast around the world to millions of viewers.
The half-time show will feature “3Ball MTY,” one of the most popular Latin musical groups. The Calicos will make up 75 of the 200 dancers invited to participate. Calico Director Amy Tidwell, was ecstatic to receive the invite.
The girls will learn a routine ahead of time, and then attend rehearsals. The routine is being choreographed by Shelly Bramhall, who also does choreography for the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.
“I am so happy for the girls to have this opportunity to perform in such a large venue for a world-wide audience,” said Tidwell. “This will be an amazing experience.”
Go Tigers! #HomeofChampions
A Sneak Peak at Prom
We Love Our Teachers
We will celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week at Corsicana High School this week. We are thankful that we have such an amazing group of teachers!
National Honor Society
Congratulations to all of the students inducted into the National Honor Society. This is a great honor for all of the students and I know they will work hard to make the organization even stronger.
Congratulations to all of the students inducted into the National Honor Society. This is a great honor for all of the students and I know they will work hard to make the organization even stronger.
Extracurricular Updates
Shout out to Noah Gilfillan for doing an awesome job at the state track meet in Austin. He competed in the Pole Vault and got 2nd place. It was great watching him compete and representing Corsicana! Go Noah! Go Tigers! #HomeofChampions
A big shout out to Nathan Griffin who has advanced to the state competition in FFA for Star Chapter Farmer. Congratulations to Nathan! Go Tigers! #HomeofChampions
Shout out to the baseball team for finishing the season as bi-district champions! They came up short in the area game against Hallsville! Congratulations to the baseball team on a great season! Go Tigers! #HomeofChampions
The Tiger Band will host their final concert of the year tomorrow (Monday) in the CHS Performing Arts Center at 6:30 pm. Please come out and see our wonderful band program! Go Tigers! #HomeofChampions
Calicos
On Saturday, May 31st the Corsicana High School Calicos will be performing in the halftime show of the preliminary World Cup Soccer friendly between Mexico and Ecuador at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The game is already a sell-out with 80,000 tickets sold, and will be broadcast around the world to millions of viewers.
The half-time show will feature “3Ball MTY,” one of the most popular Latin musical groups. The Calicos will make up 75 of the 200 dancers invited to participate. Calico Director Amy Tidwell, was ecstatic to receive the invite.
The girls will learn a routine ahead of time, and then attend rehearsals. The routine is being choreographed by Shelly Bramhall, who also does choreography for the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.
“I am so happy for the girls to have this opportunity to perform in such a large venue for a world-wide audience,” said Tidwell. “This will be an amazing experience.”
Go Tigers! #HomeofChampions
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