ATHENS AREA SCHOOLS

Standing outside as the buses pull in this morning--Halloween--I see a little guy struggling with his packages of cupcakes for his class party.  I offer to help and take the trays from him, only to see it's a bit late:  the poor cupcakes are helter-skelter in the tray and the careful, beautiful frosting is everywhere.  I look at one of our paraprofessionals, standing there on duty, also, and I see the mom sympathy in her eyes.  "Can you fix it?" I ask lamely.  Five minutes later, she has!  I meet her coming out of the teachers' lounge with the repaired cupcakes.  The party is saved!  Much more important, that little boy won't be crying because his treat got ruined.  He and his classmates will never know the difference.  But I do, and now, so do you.

I think my German spelling is correct on the title!  I remember this little line from some workbook in high school German.  It reads, auf English, "Soon comes winter, with its ice and snow."  As we enjoy another blue-sky, beautiful fall day today, I can't help but think that Old Man Winter is just around the corner, bringing me early mornings to check road conditions.  Although the Honeywell Instant Alert system is only as good as our database, I am confident it will be a big help to parents this winter with news of any delays, cancellations, or early closings.  Please be sure that our school secretaries have your correct telephone numbers.  We'll surely be calling someday soon!

Well, it's over.  As a die-hard Spartan fan, I'll take the win, but what a crazy game.  If our festivities and the wearing of the green and blue the last couple of days have made one more student think about a future that includes a college education, it's been worth it.  You've probably seen the billboards along our highways encouraging the conversation:  Where will you go to college?  Not everybody needs or will get a bachelor's or advanced degree, but we know that if young people don't dream it, they won't do it.  Let's help every Athens student think about a future that includes the education for the career of their dreams.

Whereas the great state of Michigan is blessed with a number of outstanding colleges and universities,

and whereas two of the finest research universities in the world are among Michigan's public colleges and universities,

and whereas schools should do all that they can to encourage students of all ages to consider postsecondary education,

and whereas the annual gridiron matchup between the Spartans of Michigan State University and the Wolverines of the University of Michigan carries special significance for many Michigan residents,

Therefore, Saturday, October 15, 2011, is proclaimed to be "Blue and Green Day" in the Athens Area Schools district, and all appropriate manner of supporting and displaying pride in these two great universities and their athletic programs in the intervening days shall be encouraged and enjoyed in good, clean fun!

By order of the Superintendent of Schools, this twelfth day of October, the Year of Our Lord 2011

P.S.--Gametime is 12:00 noon at Spartan Stadium, MSU; television coverage on ESPN.

It's day number two of the new school year, and we're off and running in Athens Area Schools.  I know some people doubted that we would open on time, but thanks to the efforts of Frederick Construction (our CM), all our contractors and subcontractors, and our in-house and Hi-Tec custodial crews, we did it!  Open house is tonight for grades 6-12 at AHS.  I am grateful that we have had such a smooth start.  No year begins without a few hitches, but we are very fortunate, indeed, this year.

To use a naval analogy, today the admiral moved his flag to a new ship.  For the first time in the history of the consolidated school district of Athens Area Schools, the flagship building is in East Leroy.  Today we moved our administrative office to the old Kindergarten room at the elementary school.  This move will help save operating costs by shutting down the administration building, take advantage of available space at East Leroy, and make more efficient use of our administrative resources.  Thanks to all who helped today and for the welcome we have already received in our new digs.

We were able to attend our oldest son's Army graduation last week from basic training and infantry school.  As a dad, I could not be prouder that my son is serving his country in this way.  To all military parents and families, I just want to express support and solidarity.  Athens is a very patriotic community, and we support all our men and women in uniform.  It's great to live in a place that honors those who put their lives on the line for our freedom.

Back on May 23, I posted the following (see full text below): 
"I believe that the local superintendent can best effect positive change by participating in the political process . . . Michigan needs change, no doubt about it.  I will try to keep connected and involved with all of our elected and appointed officials to work through the system for what is right for our state, our county,  and for Athens Area Schools."

No one attacked that statement.

Now I've written a letter to the editor of the local paper, picked up statewide by other papers, doing what I said I would do, and people want to attack me for it.

Public policy--it's creation and reform--is very much the domain of a local district superintendent.  Good relations and communication with all elected officials who have jurisdiction or influence over our district are important to me and part of my job.  When someone in public office does what they say they will do, and it's good for our schools, I will give them credit.

I would always rather be right than popular.  That's not being political.  That's advocating for good public policy.  Between the two, there is a big and important difference.

Many of you probably saw the progress on the exterior construction at the high school over homecoming weekend.  We can hardly wait to show off our new sixth grade classrooms and band room, but we'll have to wait a little longer.  We are hoping for occupancy shortly after the start of school this fall, which means our sixth grade classes and bands will begin the year in the old middle school building.  If that schedule is accelerated, we'll be happy to trumpet that news!

These improvements, as well as the extensive mechanical work in the high school and the classroom technology upgrades in both buildings, will position us well for the future.  Thanks again to the voters and taxpayers who have made it all possible!

Follow your superintendent on Twitter @RichPFranklin.