Just Say No To Distractions

Just+Say+No+To+Distractions

I was asked to write this editorial for The Maroon Tribune as a reflection of my brief but joyful time here at Dwight Morrow High School.

For Students and Teachers

In my time here, I’ve witnessed some of the most amazing talents in students that I’ve ever experienced in my life. I’ve seen students walk across the stage as the first high school graduates in their families and I’ve also seen students face a level of adversity that in some cases I can’t even imagine, yet somehow, they find the will to keep going. All of these moments represent what I love about this school and nearly all of them have a connection to the dedication of our faculty. I applaud our teachers for their commitment and encourage them to keep advocating and collaborating around the things that are right for the students.  If I’m honest, we have a number of highly successful students and we also have those students who are still discovering their strengths and abilities. However, we cannot act as judge and jury of our student’s lives. So, I say to our students, continue to find the value in taking the initiative for what you want to see in your high school experience. It matters!

For the  Community

I think much of what I enjoy about being a school leader mirrors much of what I find challenging in our school environment. I encourage you all to think deeply about what you want for your schools. I titled this piece “Just Say No to Distractions” because in my observation, it has been one of the biggest hurdles to overcome in this district. We allow so many things to steer us off-course and distract us from our goals and progress. This community cares about its schools and the schools care about the community. Let’s see what can be accomplished in the next few years with us all working together for the betterment of the students in our school system. You must rally behind your leadership because it is a critical piece in creating an effective and sustainable organization in the long term. Do find ways to express concerns that will promote productive discourse and also share your child’s successes to help us understand the influence of the things that are positively influencing their learning.

Farewell thoughts

Learning is about relationships and neither is independent of the other. Learning together teaches us to relate and good relationships continue to thrive because we learn. Caring has to exist in the hearts of all of us but this is the work ahead. We have to speak better to and about each other. I say this with the understanding that there are real issues and challenges that need to be addressed. The greatest compliment I can pay to DMHS and the EPSD community is that you are resilient. It’s the attribute I’ve been most impressed with during my time here and the one that I also believe will be essential to taking this school district to the next level. Dwight Morrow High School is an awesome place and I’m honored to have had the opportunity to lead and work in such a unique school. Unfortunately, I won’t get the opportunity to see my vision for the school realized, but I look forward to seeing it blossom under the new leadership. I will miss the many faces and things I’ve grown to love and will cherish the friendships that I’ve been able to cultivate. As in life, all good things must come to an end, but know that I do and will always see this high school as a “good” thing in my life. Go Raiders! ~ Billy Bowie, Principal