Steer Nation Message 12-20-19 The Reason for the Season

Good Morning and Happy Early Dismissal Friday!

Whew…the first half of the school year seems to have happened at warped speed!

This time of year offers the opportunity to reflect on the many blessings in my life.  In addition to my family, I count the staff, students, and community of Graham ISD as remarkable blessings.  I am grateful for the dedication and perseverance demonstrated daily within our district and community to improve the lives of children.

I hope each of us is thankful for the opportunity we have to serve others.  Through this service to our students, we help them learn how to learn – and learn how to live. Our work in education provides the possibility to change the future…one child at a time!

This is the time of year for rejoicing and for rededication.  A quote from Thomas Drier says it well:  “If we are to enjoy life, now is the time – not tomorrow or next year. The best preparation for a better life next year is a full, complete, harmonious, joyous life this year.”

As you reflect on your blessings and recharge your spirit, remember you are a blessing in the life of a child!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The Reason for the Season…

I recently heard a story on the radio of a woman who was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable, and after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the elevator with her two kids.

She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season...overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, getting that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.

Finally, the elevator doors opened and there was already a crowd in the car. She pushed her way into the elevator and dragged her two kids in with her and all the bags of stuff. When the doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found and shot."

From the back of the elevator, everyone heard a quiet calm voice respond, "Don't worry, we already crucified Him."

For the rest of the trip down the elevator it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all did it, just think of how different this whole world would be.

Have a nice day and a Merry Christmas!

In lieu of the corny joke of the day, lets us each pause to reflect on THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!  Please click on the link below.

Charlie Brown Christmas… The True Meaning of Christmas

Steer Nation Message 12-13-19 Love... The Creative Force

GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY FRIDAY!

Graham FFA Wins State- If you haven’t heard yet...Graham FFA is home to Texas FFA 2019 Broadcasting STATE CHAMPIONS!! Congratulations to the team of Joey Todd, Creed Jordan & Jade Jordan!!!

We are also very proud of our Ag Issues team of Cade Anderson, Yaneli Ramirez, Nayeli Ramirez, Mason Reese, Leah Holland, & Luke Holland as they were in the top 24 at the State Contest with 140 teams competing.

Jaytin Sims was selected as District Champion in the talent competition and will be competing at the Area Contest in May!

RSB3 Success- Twenty-seven members of the RSB3 auditioned at the Region 7 Band Auditions last weekend! Fourteen were selected to the Region Bands. Four of those will be moving on to the Area round in January to compete for a spot in the ATSSB All-State Band. We are very proud of these awesome students! Region Band Members: Summer Croxton - Flute, Madalyn Oakes - Flute, Roselyn Barbosa - Clarinet, Taylor Mairena - Clarinet, Kailey Duncan - Bass Clarinet, Dawson Grubbs - Alto Saxophone, Zara Van Alstyne - French Horn, Jacob Huitt - French Horn, Alex Trejo - Trombone, Aimee McShan - Trombone (Alternate), Anthony Martinez - Euphonium, Madison Freeman - Euphonium, Kyle Adair - Tuba, Shaylynn Brown - Tuba. Area Qualifiers: Anthony Martinez - Euphonium, Madison Freeman - Euphonium, Kailey Duncan - Bass Clarinet, Dawson Grubbs - Alto Saxophone.

Lady Blues Basketball- Safe travel and good luck at the Fredericksburg tournament!

Graham Steer Basketball- Best of luck in the Mineral Wells tournament!

Love… The Creative Force

The excerpt below is from Chicken Soup for the Soul, 1993

“Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to the next-door neighbor… Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting.”  Mother Teresa

A college professor had his sociology class go into the Baltimore slums to get case histories of 200 young boys. They were asked to write an evaluation of each boy’s future. In every case, the students wrote, “He hasn’t got a chance.” Twenty-five years later another sociology professor came across the earlier study. He had his students follow up on the project to see what had happened to these boys. With the exception of 20 boys who had moved away or died, the students learned that 176 of the remaining 180 had achieved more than ordinary success as lawyers, doctors, and businessmen.

The professor was astounded and decided to pursue the matter further. Fortunately, all the men were in the area and he was able to ask each one, “How do you account for your success?” In each case the reply came with the feeling, “There was a teacher.”

The teacher was still alive, so he sought her out and asked the old but still alert lady what magic formula she had used to pull these boys out of the slums into successful achievement.

The teacher’s eyes sparkled and her lips broke into a gentle smile. “It’s really simple,” she said. “I loved those boys.”

CORNY JOKE OF THE DAY

What do you call a frog hanging from the ceiling?

Mistletoad.

Steer Nation Message 12-6-19 Finding Wisdom

GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY FRIDAY!

Graham Steer Basketball- The Steers will play Bridgeport at 6:00 pm this evening in Graham. GOOD LUCK...BEAT THE BULLS! The team will also be in action on Saturday at the Wichita Falls Classic at MSU.

Lady Blues Basketball- Best of luck at the Peaster Tournament!

GJHS Band- The GJHS Band Christmas Concert will be at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, December 10th. The event will be held in the GHS Gym.

GHS Fine Arts Festival- The fine arts programs will be on stage and in the gallery at the Graham Memorial Auditorium from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday, December 12.

Graham ISD Incentive For Teacher  (GIFT) Program- Graham ISD offers two incentive pay plans for staff members. Based on the approved criteria, qualifying staff members earned a total of $27,463.75. Award letters will be sent to each awardee on December 10, 2019. Each awardee will receive their check during the week of December 16.

Mark Your Calendar- GPEF Event- Harlem Wizards- Monday, January 27, 2020. The funds from this fun event will assist with the annual GPEF Innovative Teacher Grant program. View the video here to see a snippet of the fun in store for our students, staff, and community.

Finding Wisdom

Word spread across the kingdom about the wise Holy Man who lived in a small house atop the mountain.  A man from the village decided to make the long and difficult journey to visit him.  When he arrived at the house, he saw an old servant inside who greeted him at the door.

"I would like to see the wise Holy Man," he said to the servant.

The servant smiled and led him inside. As they walked through the house, the man from the village looked eagerly around the house, anticipating his encounter with the Holy Man. Before he knew it, he had been led to the back door and escorted outside.

He stopped and turned to the servant, "But I want to see the Holy Man!"

"You already have," said the old man.

"Everyone you may meet in life, even if they appear plain and insignificant... see each of them as a wise Holy Man. If you do this, then whatever problem you brought here today will be solved."  Take the time and effort to gain from all interactions with others.

CORNY JOKE OF THE DAY:

What’s a sheep’s favorite Christmas song?

Fleece Navidad!