The Reason for the Season-Steer Nation Message 12-17-21

Good Morning and Happy Early Dismissal Friday!

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…

One of my favorite stories is about 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, to get 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!

Charlie Brown Christmas… The True Meaning of Christmas 

GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY FRIDAY!

RSB3 Success- The RSB3 had 25 students attend the Region 7 North Zone All-Region Band auditions hosted at Graham High School.  Of the 25 that auditioned, 18 students were selected to one of the 3 All-Region Bands and will attend the All-Region Clinic and Concerts at the end of January!

The All-Region Band audition is the first step in selection to the All-State Band.  Area Qualifiers will compete at Argyle High School for selection to the ATSSB All-State Band at the beginning of January!  The RSB3 is proud to have 7 Area Qualifiers!

Congratulations to the following students: Claire Mairena (Flute) - Concert Band, Genesis Avila (Clarinet) - Concert Band, Cristina Garcia (Clarinet) - Concert Band, Jackson Kidd (Baritone Saxophone) - Concert Band, Emilee Riggins (Trumpet) - Concert Band, Jakob Beaman (Percussion) - Concert Band, Fiona McKinley (Percussion) - Concert Band, Brayden Grubb (Percussion) - Concert Band, Nathan Sarinana (Trumpet) - Symphonic Band, Robb Grimes (Trumpet) - Symphonic Band, Jennifer Martinez (Trumpet) - Symphonic Band, Roselyn Barbosa-Vizcaino (Clarinet) - Honor Band, AREA QUALIFIER, Devin McCall (Bass Clarinet) - Concert Band, AREA QUALIFIER, Jacob Huitt (French Horn) - Honor Band, AREA QUALIFIER, Tate Dunlap (Trombone) - Honor Band, AREA QUALIFIER, Madison Freeman (Euphonium) - Honor Band, AREA QUALIFIER, Ogden Garcia (Euphonium) - Symphonic Band, AREA QUALIFIER, Dawson Grubbs (Alto Saxophone) - Symphonic Band, AREA QUALIFIER.

GHS FFA- This past Friday GHS Freshman Brailey Brooks placed 9th in the State Greenhand Creed speech contest. Congratulations Brailey!

GISD Facility Study- In June of 2021, the Graham ISD Board of Trustees approved Huckabee Architects to conduct a facility study focused on our elementary campuses. The Facility Assessment Summary can be viewed at this LINK. The complete facility document is being finalized and will be made available soon.

Please note... this information will be used for planning purposes and at this time no decision has been made regarding the future alignments of grades, the long-term use of our current facilities, or the addition of facilities.

If you have any questions, please contact Sonny Cruse at sonny.cruse@grahamisd.com or 940-549-0595.

Adjust Your Sails…

Life is unexpected. Life happens when you don’t want it to, in ways that you don’t want it to. And the hard part is, you can’t always control it, and sometimes you can’t even shape it or guide it.

“We cannot direct the winds but we can adjust our sails.” Thomas S. Monson

Think about this for a minute.  It has so many applications to our lives. The underlying message is that many things happen in our lives that we might not prefer and that we cannot avoid or change.  The “winds” here represent the external influences, other people, mother nature, and what life throws at you.  Sometimes it’s a loss of a loved one, an illness, challenges at work, or when things just don’t go your way.  They all can have a powerful impact and contribute to the course of our lives.  Sometimes we can’t do anything about the wind, these forces in life, other than adapt to them and adjust our approach. When things happen that are challenges in life, we can take steps and “adjust our sails” to modify the circumstances on our own behalf to better cope with them.

When the wind shifts… remain calm… remain focused… remain in control of your reactions…adjust your sails!

CORNY JOKES OF THE DAY!

What did the stamp say to the Christmas card? (Scroll down for the answer.)

 

 

Stick with me and we’ll go places!

 

 

Christmas Bucket List- Steer Nation Message 12-3-21

GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY FRIDAY!

FFA Area Champ and State Qualifier Brailey Brooks- Best of luck to Brailey as she competes at the State Greenhand FFACreed contest in Huntsville today!

GISD Facility Study- In June of 2021, the Graham ISD Board of Trustees approved Huckabee Architects to conduct a facility study focused on our elementary campuses. The Facility Assessment Summary can be viewed at this LINK. The complete facility document is being finalized and will be made available soon.

Please note... this information will be used for planning purposes and at this time no decision has been made regarding the future alignments of grades, the long-term use of our current facilities, or the addition of facilities. 

If you have any questions, please contact Sonny Cruse at sonny.cruse@grahamisd.com or 940-549-0595.

Christmas Bucket List…

With only 22 days until Christmas my hope for you today is… take a deep breath and reflect for a moment on the reason for the season. 

CORNY JOKES OF THE DAY! (Go to www.thecruseline.com or email me for the answer.) (Scroll down for the answer.)

What do Santa’s little helpers learn at school!

 

The Elf-abet!