Friday, February 19, 2016

SERVICE… IT’S SIMPLY THE RIGHT THING TO DO!


GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY FRIDAY!

Congrats to Graham ISD’s Rebecca Beale on qualifying for the final of the Kids Baking Championship!  She has done a fantastic job representing herself, her family and her community. I had the opportunity yesterday sit down with Rebecca Beale to record a video- 10 Questions with Rebecca Beale. Go to our district Facebook page to see the video. Follow Rebecca at- @beccas_bites. Hope you all tune in on Monday evening to support her! 

Graham Public Education Foundation (GPEF)- Over the past three years the GPEF has provide over $150,000 in grants to our staff!  GPEF’s goal is to provide funding for innovative, imaginative and cutting edge projects & programs that will enrich and enhance the education of GISD students. You received an email on February 2nd that contained the application and guidelines for applying for a grant.  If you do not apply it is a guarantee that you will not receive a grant.  The grant deadline is Friday, March 18, 2016 at 2:00 p.m.  Please visit with your principal if you have questions.

Our Lady Blues basketball team improved greatly over the course of this season qualifying for a playoff spot.  It was pleasure to watch them compete!  It was a greater joy to see how they represent themselves and our community!!!

Our Graham Steer basketball team will be in playoff action at 7:30 pm this coming Tuesday in Olney versus Wichita Falls Hirschi. Hope to see you there!

Congrats to Lady Blues Golf!  This past Monday they won the Graham Tournament with Abbi Iles & Ashley Choate finishing as Medalists.

The Graham Steer Golf team won the Wylie Invitational on Wednesday!  The team consisted of Baxter Loesch, Jack Lucas, Coby Bryant, Kolton Carmichael and Justin Escalon.

Our Graham Steer and Lady Blues Tennis teams will be in action at the GHS courts today. Good Luck!

Good luck and safe travels to the Lady Blues Softball team as they travel to Clyde!

The Bella Blues Drill Team will be competing in Weatherford this Saturday. Good Luck Ladies!

Good luck and safe travels to our powerlifting teams competing in Iowa Park on Saturday!

Members of our GJHS and GHS Rompin Stompin Big Blue Band will be participating in UIL Solo & Ensemble this Saturday in Wichita Falls.  Safe travels and best of luck!


SERVICE… IT’S SIMPLY THE RIGHT THING TO DO!

During the season of Lent we are challenged with the opportunity to reflect on sacrifice and service.  I acknowledge that only ONE has walked the earth and lived his life in service and ultimately in sacrifice for ALL.  I dare say none of us would have the intestinal fortitude to do the same.

With that said, how can we as educators, parents, grand parents and community members live a servant leaders life?

Robert K. Greenleaf first coined the term Servant Leadership in a 1970 essay, The Servant as Leader. Since then, volumes of scholarly literature have been produced on the topic. Still, many have a hard time with this construct because they compare serving to being subservient (Miller).  Servant leadership is about recognizing that humility provides the foundation for leadership.  “It is not about being servile, it is about wanting to help others. It is about identifying and meeting the needs of colleagues, customers and communities” (Keith, 2016). 

Chapter 17 of Miller’s, Flipping the Switch is titled, Organizations Don’t Serve – People Do. This is a powerful statement.  I have often said people make judgments about schools based on three initial perceptions:

1.     When they drive by, does the building exterior and grounds appear neat and orderly?
2.     When they enter the front door, does the building appear clean and is it absent of foul odors?
3.     How they are greeted and treated by the staff in the office?

I don’t know about you, but I judge the places I shop and the people I choose to do business with much the same way.  “From the customers’ eyes the institution is only as good as the person they are interacting with at that moment” (Miller).

To receive a favorable review on these three items we must believe that organizations don’t serve people… individuals serve people. 

If we are willing to internalize and own this thought it is the leaders responsibility to set expectations and provide support.  The crucial first step is humility.  Ask yourself a few questions:

·      Do those I serve grow as a person?
·      Do they become healthier, wiser, freer, and more autonomous?
·      Do they become more willing to serve others?

Service strengthens relationships and builds trust.  SERVICE…. IT’S SIMPLY THE RIGHT THING TO DO! (Miller)

I hope you all have a blessed day!

CORNY JOKE OF THE DAY:

What lies at the bottom of the ocean and twitches?

A nervous wreck

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