Soul Surfer

I had borrowed my neighbor's copy of the movie Soul Surfer, but hadn't found a good time to sit down and watch it yet. I happened to have some extra time on Christmas Day, as we had finished opening gifts and were waiting to join our neighbors for dinner later in the day, so I put it in, plopped in the comfy recliner in the sunroom, and pressed the play button. I was a bit unprepared for the drama, as I figured it would only be emotional during the actual shark attack. As I sat spellbound by the movie, the tears kept creeping to the corners of my eyes as I struggled to hold back the tidal wave I knew would come if any of my family members walked into the room to ask me a question. Thankfully, they left me alone, thinking I had fallen asleep for a nap in the chair.

What is so moving about this movie is that it is SOMEONE'S STORY, and we all have one. When authors and film makers create reality on screen or in a book, we see circumstances and have feelings that we all can relate to. Maybe it also was more emotional for me because I was watching it on Christmas Day when we are all "wrapped up" in getting things for ourselves. It made me appreciate the abundance that surrounds me in this country at all times, and to not feel sorry for myself when things don't go my way.

A movie like this gives me hope in young people. That young people will use bad things that happen to them for the common good~ meaning, they are willing to share their story and make good choices. We all have to go through a time of grieving when we lose someone or something (in this case her arm) that is very valuable to us, and to see that she experienced those stages of grief, picked herself up, and moved on to accomplish great things is empowering.

One of the themes of the story is to never give up on your dreams, and along with that, use adversity as a training tool. If you haven't watched it yet, I highly recommend it. Boys and men might think it a bit sappy, but the story is great.

Pillow People

The first semester of the 2011-2012 school year ended well. Our school began a tradition a few years ago to have "end of semester ceremonies." What this means is, for the last 45 minutes of school on the day first semester ends, and on the very last day of school, everyone in the school comes to the gym for a fun assembly. Usually students are recognized who showed improvement in class (teachers award medals), and student athletes stand to be recognized, and there are some skits, games and/or singing by students and staff.

This years' organizer asked a group of teachers to dress up like Pillow People (you can google them on YouTube), and lead the kids in a couple of songs, Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree and Jingle Bell Rock. It was quite fun, and the students were guessing who was under the pillows. I'm including a picture of myself and one of the other counselors as we said good-bye to students on the way out to the buses that afternoon. It was quite fun saying hi to the kids and have them come up to us and say, "Is that you Mrs. Popenfoose?" or "Who are you?". Mrs. Jones had fun chasing the sixth graders and tried to scare a few of them.

Happy holidays and Merry Christmas everyone!

Reflections on Success by Ralph Waldo Emerson

I must admit that I have not read much of Ralf Waldo Emerson's works, but after stumbling across one quoted in Charles Swindoll's book "Quest for Character," I think I just might pick up one of his books the next time I go to the library. I have heard the first four lines of this poem before, but I don't recall ever hearing the rest, so thought I'd share in case you hadn't heard it either.

My entry today is simply a copy of this excerpt by Emerson:

How do you measure success?

To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people

and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics

and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty;

To find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better

whether by a healthy child,

a redeemed social condition,

or a job well done;

To know even one other life has breathed

because you lived ---

this is to have succeeded.

Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment

There is a verse in the book of James and it goes like this: "Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!"

I am so glad I am in a position where I can show mercy every day. Being a school counselor is one of the easiest jobs in the world, but it can also be one of the hardest! While we have an opportunity to show mercy every day, we also have to find a way to hold kids accountable. When students break rules, they need to have a consequence to try to teach them to not break the rules again. Occasionally something will happen that is not so black and white, and the situation can go either way- should the dean hand out punishment, or should he not?

I am fortunate to work with an insightful dean, who in these cases often lets me be the "warning light" to kids. I have the opportunity to help them understand that their behavior was questionable and give them a "second chance." Sometimes I see students who do not change their behavior and collect discipline logs as a hobby, and I get frustrated with them, but I keep trying to get through to them, somehow. I might not ever really know if anything I say is getting through to them, but on some days my gut feeling is to be merciful, and I would miss out on a blessing if I didn't listen at those moments.

October is Almost Over!

I've been thinking about what to write about this month! I like to put at least one post per month, just to keep up with life! This year's month of October has been extremely busy with 2 girls running cross country at two different schools, so my weekend time to do something for myself has been very limited.

First quarter report cards have just come out, and it has been a very good start to the year for my 8th graders. Out of 348ish 8th grade students, I only have about 20 who are academically at risk. That's pretty good! I have been trying to meet with these students every other week to do "grade checks," and it has been a fun experience. I thought that the boys would dread me calling them down constantly, but I have found the opposite seems to be true with this group! If I go too long between visits, some of them ask me in the cafeteria or the hall, "When are you going to call me down again?" I think it's a secret ploy to get out of class, but I choose to believe it's because they like me. This is my last opportunity to make an impact on them, so I'm going full out this year!

Something fun that the students always enjoy is spirit week. This year studen council added a "Senior Citizen Day" and students really had fun dressing up like the elderly. I will include a couple of pictures to show their creativity. I find that most middle school students really like to have fun, and does it really change as they get older? I would say no. We all like to have fun. Our principal likes to include fun days for staff as well. Each year staff get to dress up in groups for Halloween and have a contest. While I don't like being uncomfortable in a costume, it is fun for a day. I don't get much work done, but it's a nice mental break from all the intensity!

Enjoy the nice fall weather we are having!!

Mid-Term Quarter 1

The 2011-2012 school year has started off much smoother than last year! It is Labor Day, and I thought I would write a few notes before the entire semester gets away from me. Being 8th grade counselor is my favorite middle school year. The students are finally maturing into semi-young adults, and don't do as many crazy, immature things as they did in 6th and 7th grade, but nevertheless, they are still middle schoolers, and crazy things will happen!

I have about 350 students in 8th grade, and I have targeted my "Top 25" to pursue vigorously this year. Not my top 25 in GPA rank, but in reality, the bottom 25 students who are either in danger of failing the 8th grade, or have behavior that would warrant out of school suspension or a trip to the Brownsburg Learning Center for the rest of the year.

I am going to make it a point to meet with them every 2 weeks to check in. We are going to make some goal sheets, and discuss their futures. For a visual reminder, I put a chart up on the wall with their initials, and dates spread out through the year so that I can check off each time I meet with them before the date listed. I think this system will help me stay on top of things, and I will be sure to make parent contact throughout the year also.

I hope they will be ready to enter high school with a chest full of self-confidence, and a determination to get good grades and graduate in the literal "Top 25" of their class! I will be sure to post a report in May!!

Vacation

Summer Vacation has been short but sweet this year. I have a little less than two weeks before reporting for middle school registration. I always say I need a break in May, but by the time August rolls around I am ready to go again!

We had a fun family vacation to the Biltmore Mansion, the place the rich Vanderbilt family built in the late 1800's to early 1900's. It was very fascinating to walk through the mansion and imagine people from that time period bustling around, having fun, and wearing way too many clothes!

We also took a couple of good hikes in the Smokey Mountains. One was Chimney Rock, in Chimney Rock, NC, and the other was in Gatlinburg, TN. It is always amazing to be out in God's creation which is much, much bigger and beautiful than you ever see in books or on the computer.

Over the next couple of weeks I will be thinking about what goals I want to set for the upcoming year and how I can reach those goals without feeling like a failure. When I have some thoughts gathered, I will be sure to write another entry!