The meaning of ‘A tradition of excellence’

The meaning of 'A tradition of excellence'

I am not certain what the end of the year brings for you, but for me it certainly seems to be a time of reflection. One of the things I have been pondering is how did December arrive so early this year. It seems like yesterday I was filled with excitement and nerves over the start of the 2010-2011 school year.

This past week brought winter concerts at the middle school and the start of the winter sport's season with the Blue Pony Wrestlers hosting the Havre Invite at Havre High School. I have been given many opportunities to be grateful over the course of this seemingly non-existent time span from the first day of school to now. I have also been asked two questions during this time span, which have caused me to spend a great deal of time in reflection and thought.

There is something about a question that causes one to pause, consider and reflect. This type of question is not easily answered with a simple yes or no, and finding or providing evidence of an answer, can at times be quite challenging. The first question was posed to me by a guest presenter Dr. Steve Edwards. While escorting Dr. Edwards around our district he turned and said to me, "What does a 'Tradition of Excellence' look like?" The more I have considered his question the more apparent it has become that I may never completely answer his question.

The second question asked more recently of me has aided in my quest to find answers to Dr. Edwards' question. This question came from one of our teachers during a meeting here at the Robins Building. During the course of a conversation revolving around Math curriculum, depth of knowledge, assessment, and the like, one of our teachers asked of me, "Don't you just feel proud when you tell others around the state that you are from Havre Public Schools?" My immediate answer was a resounding, 'Yes'. It was more of a reaction though, rather than a well thought out response. I left the room thinking to myself there is so much more to that answer than just 'Yes.' As I have contemplated my answer of 'Yes', I have come to the realization that I am proud to be a part of Havre Public Schools because of the many answers I have started to recognize to the question first posed to me by Dr. Edwards.

One of the things you will notice as you walk in the Robins building is pictures of Havre Public Schools students displayed beneath the words 'Excellence'. These students have been recognized by our Havre Board of Trustees through resolution for achieving excellence in either academics or activities. The next time Dr. Edwards visits our school district, I will be able to point to this wall and say to him, "This is an example of what excellence looks like." I walk by this wall every morning on the way to my office and every evening on my way home. I feel a great sense of pride knowing Havre Public Schools had a hand in helping these individuals in their own pursuit of excellence. I am also challenged knowing the importance of the work that we do as a part of Havre Public Schools.

I believe one of Havre Public Schools greatest challenges lies in our continued effort to answer the question posed to me by Dr. Edwards. Quantifying or measuring excellence is at times quite difficult. I believe that excellence is multifaceted and does not rely solely on a single measurement. I do know that as I walk around this district I see excellence. I see excellence in the staff and students in our district. I see excellence in the care and maintenance of our facilities. I see excellence on the wrestling mat and at middle school choir concerts. I see excellence in elementary awards programs, student projects and art work on display in our hallways throughout the district. I see excellence in our schools and in our community. I am grateful for Dr. Edwards' question as it made me stop and recognize the excellence around me.

As the calendar year draws to a close I find myself looking forward to the remainder of the 2010-2011 school year. I look forward to the next question that causes me to pause, consider and reflect. I know we have a lot of challenges in store for us as a district and at the same time I have confidence that we have the right people in place to address these challenges. I am proud to be a part of the Havre Public Schools team and look forward to realizing the manner in which excellence will reveal itself in our district in the New Year.

(Andy Carlson is superintendent of Havre Public Schools, 423 Sixth St. Havre, MT 59501.)

I am not certain what the end of the year brings for you, but for me it certainly seems to be a time of reflection. One of the things I have been pondering is how did December arrive so early this year. It seems like yesterday I was filled with excitement and nerves over the start of the 2010-2011 school year.

This past week brought winter concerts at the middle school and the start of the winter sport's season with the Blue Pony Wrestlers hosting the Havre Invite at Havre High School. I have been given many opportunities to be grateful over the course of this seemingly non-existent time span from the first day of school to now. I have also been asked two questions during this time span, which have caused me to spend a great deal of time in reflection and thought.

There is something about a question that causes one to pause, consider and reflect. This type of question is not easily answered with a simple yes or no, and finding or providing evidence of an answer, can at times be quite challenging. The first question was posed to me by a guest presenter Dr. Steve Edwards. While escorting Dr. Edwards around our district he turned and said to me, "What does a 'Tradition of Excellence' look like?" The more I have considered his question the more apparent it has become that I may never completely answer his question.

The second question asked more recently of me has aided in my quest to find answers to Dr. Edwards' question. This question came from one of our teachers during a meeting here at the Robins Building. During the course of a conversation revolving around Math curriculum, depth of knowledge, assessment, and the like, one of our teachers asked of me, "Don't you just feel proud when you tell others around the state that you are from Havre Public Schools?" My immediate answer was a resounding, 'Yes'. It was more of a reaction though, rather than a well thought out response. I left the room thinking to myself there is so much more to that answer than just 'Yes.' As I have contemplated my answer of 'Yes', I have come to the realization that I am proud to be a part of Havre Public Schools because of the many answers I have started to recognize to the question first posed to me by Dr. Edwards.

One of the things you will notice as you walk in the Robins building is pictures of Havre Public Schools students displayed beneath the words 'Excellence'. These students have been recognized by our Havre Board of Trustees through resolution for achieving excellence in either academics or activities. The next time Dr. Edwards visits our school district, I will be able to point to this wall and say to him, "This is an example of what excellence looks like." I walk by this wall every morning on the way to my office and every evening on my way home. I feel a great sense of pride knowing Havre Public Schools had a hand in helping these individuals in their own pursuit of excellence. I am also challenged knowing the importance of the work that we do as a part of Havre Public Schools.

I believe one of Havre Public Schools greatest challenges lies in our continued effort to answer the question posed to me by Dr. Edwards. Quantifying or measuring excellence is at times quite difficult. I believe that excellence is multifaceted and does not rely solely on a single measurement. I do know that as I walk around this district I see excellence. I see excellence in the staff and students in our district. I see excellence in the care and maintenance of our facilities. I see excellence on the wrestling mat and at middle school choir concerts. I see excellence in elementary awards programs, student projects and art work on display in our hallways throughout the district. I see excellence in our schools and in our community. I am grateful for Dr. Edwards' question as it made me stop and recognize the excellence around me.

As the calendar year draws to a close I find myself looking forward to the remainder of the 2010-2011 school year. I look forward to the next question that causes me to pause, consider and reflect. I know we have a lot of challenges in store for us as a district and at the same time I have confidence that we have the right people in place to address these challenges. I am proud to be a part of the Havre Public Schools team and look forward to realizing the manner in which excellence will reveal itself in our district in the New Year.

(Andy Carlson is superintendent of Havre Public Schools, 423 Sixth St. Havre, MT 59501.)