You are Invited to a Breakfast Fundraiser at Famous Dave's!
Southwest Fastpitch is hosting a fundraiser breakfast at Famous Dave's restaurant in Linden Hills ... and you are invited!
Come join us on Sunday, April 18th, from 7:00am - 10:00am for an all-you-can-eat breakfast of scrumptious pancakes, eggs, bacon, hash browns, milk, juice and coffee.
At just $8 for adults and $6 for kids (10 and under), it's a great deal for a great cause.
Southwest Fastpitch is raising money to help the program grow and develop a more competitive program.
For more information, contact Coach Brian Badenhoff at 612.867.4929 or email bkb_71@yahoo.com. See you at Famous Dave's!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Sometimes
There is no question the situation these past few days in Hastings have been terrible and frightening and scary. We would like to believe those situations do not happen and never will. Unfortunately, we live in a time of easy guns, angry folks and too many who believe that violence solves it all. And those are the adults.
The Hastings experience is tragic but with a fortunate ending. It did not have to end that way. That is why we drill and train. That is why we try to take precautions.
I did notice the reported statement of the one mother who was angry that the school did not notify her quicker. I will guarantee you that if such a thing happens in our building (heaven forbid) I will deal with the safety of your children before I find a computer and post a blog about the details.
We must pay attention to all the various factors. Guns in the home need to be locked and safe from easy access. We need to pay attention to the needs of all our children. They do not carry around signs that say -- I am the one who will cause you problems. We need to be concerned, every day, about the safety of our children and their relationships with one another and the outside world.
This is a complicated world and gets more tense almost daily. I sometimes think that our only hope is that these children grow up quickly to resolve this mess we have caused. We need to spend more time working on solutions than blame. Finding the problems is the easy part. I can read the paper and figure out what is not working the way it should (based on my view of the world). But the paper or those quoted therein doesn't offer me too many solutions. Just saying NO is not an answer.
We will continue to monitor our hallways and building for the safety of our students and staff. We need the help and support of every student and family and community member to make it a safe and healthy place for all. Do we care about one another? Are we concerned about the well being of all our children and families? Are in involved in creating a positive learning environment for all children?
The Hastings experience is tragic but with a fortunate ending. It did not have to end that way. That is why we drill and train. That is why we try to take precautions.
I did notice the reported statement of the one mother who was angry that the school did not notify her quicker. I will guarantee you that if such a thing happens in our building (heaven forbid) I will deal with the safety of your children before I find a computer and post a blog about the details.
We must pay attention to all the various factors. Guns in the home need to be locked and safe from easy access. We need to pay attention to the needs of all our children. They do not carry around signs that say -- I am the one who will cause you problems. We need to be concerned, every day, about the safety of our children and their relationships with one another and the outside world.
This is a complicated world and gets more tense almost daily. I sometimes think that our only hope is that these children grow up quickly to resolve this mess we have caused. We need to spend more time working on solutions than blame. Finding the problems is the easy part. I can read the paper and figure out what is not working the way it should (based on my view of the world). But the paper or those quoted therein doesn't offer me too many solutions. Just saying NO is not an answer.
We will continue to monitor our hallways and building for the safety of our students and staff. We need the help and support of every student and family and community member to make it a safe and healthy place for all. Do we care about one another? Are we concerned about the well being of all our children and families? Are in involved in creating a positive learning environment for all children?
Monday, April 5, 2010
Fire Drill today
May not have been the best of times, but the fire Marshall came by today and we had a building evacuation fire drill. Good to have drills and hope that is all they ever are. We do need to stay prepared. The only comment was that we have to get further away for the building- about a half block distance. The neighbors might not understand but we will work on that one.
It is time like these one can be very proud of the students and staff. The fire truck pulls up, a fire officer walls in and declares a drill. So we pull the alarm and see what happens. -- What happens is that the students and staff do what they are suppose to do. They wait for the evacuation instructions and then orderly leave the building through assigned or alternate routes - depending if the fire dept. has block an exit for the drill.
The students do what they are supposed to do. They are supportive of one another and move through the business at hand. They follow instructions and appear to understand the importance of the process.
The all clear is signaled and the students move back to class and on we go with the period. There is minimal play and generally no confusion or other silliness. They go about the business of school and the work of learning.
We do have great kids!
It is time like these one can be very proud of the students and staff. The fire truck pulls up, a fire officer walls in and declares a drill. So we pull the alarm and see what happens. -- What happens is that the students and staff do what they are suppose to do. They wait for the evacuation instructions and then orderly leave the building through assigned or alternate routes - depending if the fire dept. has block an exit for the drill.
The students do what they are supposed to do. They are supportive of one another and move through the business at hand. They follow instructions and appear to understand the importance of the process.
The all clear is signaled and the students move back to class and on we go with the period. There is minimal play and generally no confusion or other silliness. They go about the business of school and the work of learning.
We do have great kids!
Off and Running
Back from a great week of relaxation and refreshment - we enter the final quarter to a wonderful and exciting school year. So far there have been events will long be treasured memories. I am confident that in the next nine weeks we will add to those precious moments.
We all slip and slide from this year to the next - what am I doing and what will I be doing next? I encourage you to stay involved. More outdoor activities mean more time the family will be apart and less face to face sharing time. That is not a bad thing, it is just the way it is. However, that means as the adult in the situation we need to watch for those signs of frustration, disappointment, anger or depression is quickly partial moments. Not that we expect to see any. What we hope is that your family can share in the joys and celebrate in the victories.
I find that this time of year flies by. Graduation will be here and gone. Just when we think we have figured out 2009-10 school year it is over and really to begin anew. Catch the moments. Each day should be a precious memory you will treasure the rest of your life.
We all slip and slide from this year to the next - what am I doing and what will I be doing next? I encourage you to stay involved. More outdoor activities mean more time the family will be apart and less face to face sharing time. That is not a bad thing, it is just the way it is. However, that means as the adult in the situation we need to watch for those signs of frustration, disappointment, anger or depression is quickly partial moments. Not that we expect to see any. What we hope is that your family can share in the joys and celebrate in the victories.
I find that this time of year flies by. Graduation will be here and gone. Just when we think we have figured out 2009-10 school year it is over and really to begin anew. Catch the moments. Each day should be a precious memory you will treasure the rest of your life.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Spring Sports
The weather is warmer, the temperatures allow you to stay out longer and it is a pretty season -- get out and support spring sports.
Girls softball team is exciting to watch and should be a serious contender this year. Boys baseball is annually tough and ready to challenge for the city title. Southwest has won so many girls and boys track city titles that it is difficult to remember the last non-champion. Badminton is the indoor sport and great spectator event.
Golf and tennis round out the spring sport season. All are exciting and filled with wonderful students who are keeping up the tradition for Southwest.
Almost any evening, sometime between 3 and dark, there is a Southwest sporting event for you to watch. Come on out and support the Laker Athletes.
Girls softball team is exciting to watch and should be a serious contender this year. Boys baseball is annually tough and ready to challenge for the city title. Southwest has won so many girls and boys track city titles that it is difficult to remember the last non-champion. Badminton is the indoor sport and great spectator event.
Golf and tennis round out the spring sport season. All are exciting and filled with wonderful students who are keeping up the tradition for Southwest.
Almost any evening, sometime between 3 and dark, there is a Southwest sporting event for you to watch. Come on out and support the Laker Athletes.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Sometimes it is okay to just relax
Just think about when you were sixteen or so. What were the big issues and what did you want to make sure your parents did not know? What were your parents telling you that you were not hearing? What was that noise?
Times have not changed all that much. 16 year olds are doing pretty much the same stuff you did at sixteen --no, do not go up and chain your child's bedroom door. Just think what you would do if your parents did what you are thinking of doing? Was that really going to work? Do you really believe that what they said made that much difference?
Your sixteen year old (or you pick the age) is going through pretty much the same stuff you went through. Yes, that is scary. But now you know. What can you do to help your child successfully navigate those scary times. No, your parents may not have done anything you need to do. They said no - you pretended to hear that and moved on. Things are different now.
Cars are faster. Be careful out there in the family station wagon that was going about three blocks to the lake is a bit different to one that can hit sixty rather quickly in much traffic and who knows where they are going or how far.
The drugs were much softer in those days -- yes, I know you never did that but for those few that did it is different today. They are stiffer and stronger and much more dangerous.
Sex -- ok -- that is about the same. Yes, now we are scared of the fatal diseases but basically they are about as ill informed as we were. Wander by the Trojan display and just reminiscing a little. It is not that easy to buy them today any more than it was those X years ago.
But you made it. How? What do you do or did your parents or family do that made it safe and secure for you to grow up to be whatever age you are? For the vast majority of you I suspect it was not a major incident or some late night speech or some horrible event. I suspect you grew up. You remembered your family values, you understood your own sense of self-respect and you got through it.
Maybe it was that you talked to your parents. Maybe it was dinner every so often around the dinner table and the boring stuff parents talk about. Maybe it was knowing what damage you would do to the trust and respect they had for you.
Do your children know any of that? Do they know what the family values? Do they know who they can turn to when there are some serious questions? Do they know that you are there?
Times have not changed all that much. 16 year olds are doing pretty much the same stuff you did at sixteen --no, do not go up and chain your child's bedroom door. Just think what you would do if your parents did what you are thinking of doing? Was that really going to work? Do you really believe that what they said made that much difference?
Your sixteen year old (or you pick the age) is going through pretty much the same stuff you went through. Yes, that is scary. But now you know. What can you do to help your child successfully navigate those scary times. No, your parents may not have done anything you need to do. They said no - you pretended to hear that and moved on. Things are different now.
Cars are faster. Be careful out there in the family station wagon that was going about three blocks to the lake is a bit different to one that can hit sixty rather quickly in much traffic and who knows where they are going or how far.
The drugs were much softer in those days -- yes, I know you never did that but for those few that did it is different today. They are stiffer and stronger and much more dangerous.
Sex -- ok -- that is about the same. Yes, now we are scared of the fatal diseases but basically they are about as ill informed as we were. Wander by the Trojan display and just reminiscing a little. It is not that easy to buy them today any more than it was those X years ago.
But you made it. How? What do you do or did your parents or family do that made it safe and secure for you to grow up to be whatever age you are? For the vast majority of you I suspect it was not a major incident or some late night speech or some horrible event. I suspect you grew up. You remembered your family values, you understood your own sense of self-respect and you got through it.
Maybe it was that you talked to your parents. Maybe it was dinner every so often around the dinner table and the boring stuff parents talk about. Maybe it was knowing what damage you would do to the trust and respect they had for you.
Do your children know any of that? Do they know what the family values? Do they know who they can turn to when there are some serious questions? Do they know that you are there?
The Last Quarter
This is the tough one. The weather gets nicer. AP and IB tests happen throughout the quarter. It all starts to wind down. But it really isn't.
For the highly competitive schools or scholarships this quarter can really mess with some plans. Seniors are convinced that it makes no difference. Unfortunately, the GPA and rank stays with you for a couple more years. If you stay in one college for 4 years you only need to convince that school to take you once. If there is a chance you might transfer, then that high school GPA becomes important again.
The last high school year is a big thing to all the students. They might not exactly talk about it but they know this is really the last time they have the opportunity to be a kid. The age of 18 brings legal responsibility and a sense that I'm now grown up. We old people may know different but that concept of 18 being the gate has been around for a long time.
For the rest of the group, it is tough to remind them that "next year will be better" attitude is not the best route to take. This quarter is the one to build the GPA not let it slide.
The weather is not our friend this time of year. Educators are perhaps some of the few that really want rain and cool weather Monday through Friday until the last day of school. We still have important material to cover. The first part of the year has been a build up to this point in order to tie it all together into new knowledge and new meanings. So rather than coasting into summer, we want to go deeper and into more meanings. Nice, beautiful days do not work to our benefit.
Nine weeks, and they will go quickly.
For the highly competitive schools or scholarships this quarter can really mess with some plans. Seniors are convinced that it makes no difference. Unfortunately, the GPA and rank stays with you for a couple more years. If you stay in one college for 4 years you only need to convince that school to take you once. If there is a chance you might transfer, then that high school GPA becomes important again.
The last high school year is a big thing to all the students. They might not exactly talk about it but they know this is really the last time they have the opportunity to be a kid. The age of 18 brings legal responsibility and a sense that I'm now grown up. We old people may know different but that concept of 18 being the gate has been around for a long time.
For the rest of the group, it is tough to remind them that "next year will be better" attitude is not the best route to take. This quarter is the one to build the GPA not let it slide.
The weather is not our friend this time of year. Educators are perhaps some of the few that really want rain and cool weather Monday through Friday until the last day of school. We still have important material to cover. The first part of the year has been a build up to this point in order to tie it all together into new knowledge and new meanings. So rather than coasting into summer, we want to go deeper and into more meanings. Nice, beautiful days do not work to our benefit.
Nine weeks, and they will go quickly.
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