Pay it Forward- Steer Nation Message 2-17-23

GOOD MORNING & HAPPY FRIDAY!

Graham ISD Calls Bond Election- On Wednesday, February 15, 2023, the GISD Board of Trustees unanimously called a bond election for May 6, 2023, in the amount of $49.4 million for the purpose of the following scope of work.

• Consolidating Woodland, Crestview, and Pioneer into 2 campuses.
• Additions to Pioneer Elementary to allow grades PK-2 to be served on the campus.
• Construction of a new campus on the current Woodland Elementary site to accommodate grades 3-5.
• Renovations and additions to Graham Junior High School including the construction of a new band hall, conversion of the current band hall into a library, conversion of the current library into a new front entrance and office for the campus, expansion of the cafeteria dining space, and minor updates to the exterior of the building to match the new construction.

I will be presenting information to each campus staff, community groups, etc. Additionally, our technology team of Chris Rasile and Padgett Thigpen are working to create a web page that will contain bond information, etc.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

2023-2024 School Calendar- On Wednesday, February 15, 2023, the GISD Board of Trustees approved the 2023-2024 School Calendar. This calendar is a modified 4-Day School Week calendar. There will be logistical opportunities and questions we need to work through as we implement this calendar for the coming year.

We have created a 2023-2024 Calendar FAQ Document that contains questions/answers that have been generated to date. Should you have a question not addressed in this document, please add your question to the 2023-2024 School Calendar Question Form. This form will capture email addresses so that we can respond directly in addition to adding the Q&A to the FAQ document.

Additionally, please feel free to contact Sonny Cruse (940-549-0595, 940-282-7870 [text/call], sonny.cruse@grahamisd.com) or Robert Loomis (940-549-0595, 940-550-9107 [text/call] robert.loomis@grahamisd.com).

Graham Steer Basketball- Congratulations to Coach Hise and our Graham Steer Basketball Team on earning a Second Place District finish with the Tuesday evening victory over Stephenville!  The Steers will compete in the Bi-District Playoff vs Levelland at 6:00 pm in Anson on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. GO STEERS!

Lady Blues and Graham Steer Tennis- Congratulations to our tennis team members for their performance at the MacArthur Cardinal Invitational! Luke Qualls/Reagan Birdwell- 1st in Mixed Doubles; John Upton/Rebekah McCord- 2nd in Mixed Doubles; Jadyn Noyola/Scott Grimes - 1st in Boys’ Doubles; Denys Klymenko/Hayden Burrows- 1st in Boys’ Doubles; Josh Gipson- 3rd in Boys' Singles; Barron Burrows- 1st in Boys' singles; Jade Dospapas- 2nd in Girls' Singles; Sydney Jensen- 1st in Girls' Singles. Good luck today at the Coyote Classic in Wichita Falls!

Lady Blues Soccer and Graham Steer Soccer-  The Lady Blues and Steers are hosting Burkburnett this evening at Newton Field. The Lady Blues will take the field at 5:30 pm and the Steers game will begin twenty minutes following the girl's game at approximately 7:30 pm. GO LADY BLUES & GRAHAM STEERS!

Lady Blues Softball- The Lady Blues will be at home today for a 5:00 pm contest vs WF Old High. GO LADY BLUES!

Graham Steer Baseball- On Saturday, the Steers will play a home doubleheader vs Alvarado. The first game is set to begin at 11:00 am. GO STEERS!

One Act Play- Mark Your Calendar- Our GHS One Act Play will be competing in the UIL District One Act Play contest on Saturday, March 4, 2023. The performances will begin at noon with the following order- Glen Rose, Mineral Wells, Graham, Brownwood, and Stephenville.

Pay It Forward….For Your Mental Health

Science shows that one of the best ways to take care of yourself isn’t all about you at all. But when we are feeling overwhelmed and struggling, the reality is, we are probably not thinking much about other people. And that’s totally fine- it’s not selfish to focus on yourself when you need it most. But taking a little time and doing something for someone else can potentially help how you’re feeling.

Here are a few reasons why we should consider paying it forward for our own mental health.

1. Our Brain’s Chemicals Change- If you’ve ever done something kind for someone else, you probably know that euphoric feeling you get afterward. There’s actually a name for that, it’s called a “helper’s high.” Research shows that when you help someone, there’s a process that happens in your brain that releases serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin – the ‘feel-good’ chemicals. The reward center of your brain is kick-started and you get a rush of endorphins, making you feel happier.
2. We Can Give In So Many Different Ways- Acts of kindness can sometimes mean giving your time and money – and that can steer a lot of people away. But one study found that acts of kindness don’t need to include face-to-face interactions or monetary donations at all. While those larger actions can still have their own unique benefits, you’re still improving your mental health by just calling someone you love or saying ‘thank you’ to a stranger.
3. Kindness Builds on Itself- If you think of compassion like a muscle, every time you do something for someone else, that stretches the muscle a little bit more, and acts of kindness get easier. Science shows that it can actually become an instinct to respond to others in a helpful, kind, and compassionate way. So you start to reap the benefits of kindness more often, with less effort.
4. It Decreases Stress- Studies have found that people who show kindness and concern for others had a 23% lower level of cortisol – the stress hormone – compared to the average population. You’ve got a natural stress reliever, just by showing compassion for someone else.
5. It Changes How You View Yourself-  Studies show that random acts of kindness can also improve your feelings of self-esteem and self-worth. Some people also reported a stronger sense of meaning and purpose after acting out of compassion.
6. It Gets You Out of Your Own Head- If only for that one selfless moment, your mind isn’t worried, stressed, sad, angry – whatever it may be. Instead, you’re focused on what you’re doing for someone else. In those minutes, your brain will be thinking about the good things that you are doing for something outside of yourself and the connection that you’re making with them.
7. The Good Stuff Starts Immediately- This isn’t one of those things where you have to put in serious effort before you see results. Paying it forward can benefit you the second you act with compassion. You’ll start to feel better instantaneously.

Although the above basic concepts can benefit us individually, let’s not forget how those actions can then help someone else! Doing something kind for another person, no matter how big or small, leaves a positive impact on your mental health, while also changing another person’s day for the better. These actions go a long way… pay it forward today!

Have a nice day…Take care of yourself and others!

CORNY JOKE OF THE DAY:

Why are doctors always so calm? (Scroll down for the answer.)

They have lots of patients!