Community Service @ AHS Today.

At this very moment, I am sitting in the HS library donating blood to the Red Cross @ our Annual National Honor Society Blood Drive. This is a great cause and we generally have a very nice turn-out. Mrs. Shannon Swaney, NHS Sponsor, sets the whole thing up each year. Teachers, students, & community members give here each year. NHS students and others volunteer to assist the Red Cross and the donors. I am currently about 1/2 into a 2x Red Cell Donation. Elizabeth from the Red Cross is taking care of me @ the moment. Earlier, there was quite the group of students waiting see if I would pass-out. Now the group is being amazed or grossed-out by the concept of putting the "left-overs" (platelets and plasma) back into the body.............. David Hankins, RaeAnne Dutz, Emily Knoles, Morgan Stevens, Kristen Faucon, Nate Pierce (who decided that the platelets and plasma looked like "pee"- nice, I know) and numerous other kids have all been working and stopping by to "check" on me, some with cameras ready for the big faint! OK, so now I am finished with the donation(26min) and am enjoying a snack and bottled water. It really doesn't take much time and there really isn't any pain involved. I have been giving blood since college and figure that it is the least I can do. Who knows, some day I might need someone else's blood to survive an accident. On another note, this is another opportunity to spend time with the students in a non-academic setting. Our kids here are great. If you had the same opportunities to visit with and get to know them like I do, you would no doubt have the same feelings I do. Finally, we are here until 2pm - come on out and "give the gift of life!" Next week I will post all the names of students and staff that gave blood today. Have a great weekend!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

A Tuesday Full of Choices.

Coaching Junior High Baseball has kept me extra-busy the past 8 weeks. I hope to write more often when the season ends. I did want to take minute to thank the parents that attended the Post-Prom organizational meeting last night. The Post-Prom is a good thing. It provides a safe environment with fun, friends and food. Not to mention, students can win prizes just for making a smart choice to avoid potential trouble. On the same note, we had a guest speaker yesterday on the topic of life choices ad being there for others. The speaker was Eddy Weiss. I asked Lucas Brown to introduce Eddy because Lucas plays a major role in TMD. TMD is a group at school that promotes making good choices and working with the younger students in the district. Last night the group had a "Kick-off Party" @ the HS and had 33 kids show and 15 others wanted to come but had sporting or work commitments. To have more than 10% of our HS enrollment in such a group is amazing. TMD was started just 3 years ago and has quickly grown and made itself visible in the district. Mrs. Erin Emery (HS English) and Ally Brown(class of 2010) started the program and should be commended for the groups success and purpose. So, I guess today's thoughts all tie-in with making good choices. "Kids will be kids" translates to."they won't always make the best choices"....but, it is nice to know that we have positive options for them like Post Prom and TMD.
Have a great day
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Early Mornings!

Often, I write about the exploits of school teams and clubs. This morning, as I was at the sports complex looking for my wedding ring (that I left in the dugout from the game the night before - it is not comfortable hitting infield drills with a ring on...but that is a different story) I was treated to the early morning sounds of "I'm a Believer" by The Monkeys. Our marching band was out there in the chilly wet morning grass playing several songs and going through their field show. As I watched and listened, I noticed that in the band there were kids who also golf, play football, run cross-country, play JH baseball and softball, swim and play high school volleyball. Not only are they involved in a school sport that takes up personal time - they are putting in even more time preparing for marching band. I appreciate the fact that these kids are finding more than one way to get involved and more than one way to represent Athens High School. Have a great day!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Picture Packets/Yearbooks

FYI parents: HS picture packets will be passed out Thursday during study hall. Look for these at home in the next few days. All students will be photographed for a free student I.D. card. Picture day will be September 23rd.

Last year's yearbooks will also be distributed tomorrow. The yearbooks will given out during lunch. There may be an extra copy if someone decides they want one - but did not order one.

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

A Great Week for Warrior Spirit!

Last week was filled with great examples of Warrior pride and enthusiasm. The volleyball team gave us an exciting battle with rival Illini Central. The Lady Warriors dispatched IC in two fast-paced and action-filled games. The student section and the parent sections were rocking and rolling with the action. The JV FB team won a tight game in OT against Pawnee. The CC team also had a good week.
On Friday, the cheerleaders put together an amazing Pep Assembly. Coach Mayfield and the girls refreshed our student-body on the words to the school song in a sing-a-long. The cheerleaders had large cut-outs of the lyrics held end-to-end. Nate Pierce was recruited to play the part of the" old bouncing ball over the words," from shows like Sesame Street. As Nate bounced from word to word, the students recited the words in unison. 98% of the students (roughly 330) stood and sang the school fight song. It was quite impressive. The assembly ended with the popular class cheer contest and all 4 grades gave it their best. It was a great way to end the school week and kick-off a home football Friday night.
The football team provided all of us with a great victory over a nearby rival. The Warriors defeated the visiting Cardinals of Pleasant Plains by a touchdown. James' hard-nosed, up the gut runs combined with Sean's 4 touchdowns made for some good ol' smash-mouth football. David's key runs on 4th down, Brandon's decision-making and a couple of key fumble recoveries all played key roles in the victory. Looking at other conference scores, it looks like there will be a lot of parity in the SANGAMO this year. Coach Knox and the rest of the staff were sure to enjoy the victory, but I'll bet they wasted no time in starting their preparation for Riverton. The Hawks travel to Athens this coming Friday. Hopefully, I will have another great week to report on. Have a great week!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

It is Starting Today

Today marks the official 1st day of school for administrators and teachers. Over the next two days we will be preparing for the students to return. I have had plenty of visits from students this week who "can't believe school is starting," yet they have already been in to walk around ask about their lockers, schedules and new teachers. We will get the show started on Friday and hit it for real on Monday! This is the best time of the year.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

3 Days and Counting!
We are getting very close to a very special day for parents, students and principals. Graduation is this Saturday and I couldn't be happier. Not because kids will be leaving, but because they should be leaving. Our job is provide necessary skills and character traits that will serve our graduates well in the future. I feel we do that at AHS. I tell the kids that leaving after 4 years is "expected and is considered a success by this principal." So, while I have greatly enjoyed these seniors - it is time for them to go out and make new challenges for themselves. They will be missed, yet they have to go - because that means we (both the students and staff) were successful.