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"Excellence without Excuses"
"New ways of thinking are required in a world that is dominated by change, ambiguity, and the need for nimble, sure-footed organizational performance."
-Peter Senge-
During the Christmas Holiday, as I sat many times and reflected over the first half of this school year, I could not help but think of the "Systems Theory." Consider Biologist Ludwig Von Bertalanffy's concept of "systems theory as suggested by the following excerpt:
"An organism is an integrated system of interdependent structures and functions. An organism is constituted of cells and a cell consists of molecules which must work in harmony. Each molecule must know what others are doing. Each one must be capable of receiving messages and must be sufficiently disciplined to obey. You are familiar with the law that controls regulation. You know how our ideas have developed and how the most harmonious and sound of them have been fused into a conceptual whole which is the very foundation of biology and confers on it its unity."
I would add that in a healthy organism, each cell works collaboratively with other cells to form specific tissues. Tissues work collectively to form organs which in turn work in sync to create organ systems which work perfectly in harmony to create an organism. The organism is so successful because each part works only to achieve the body's vision and mission-Good Health and Longevity. Likewise, a school district is on organization that, if healthy, will function similar to a healthy organism. Each department, school, grade level, team, class room, teacher, administrator, secretary, custodian and nutritional staff must be aware of each other and understand the functioning of each. No one can efficiently and successfully function without the willing cooperation of each part. In fact, as you well know, in the human body, if a part isn't working as it should, the human is ill. The body functions below its capacity. Unless the malfunctioning organ is treated and fixed or replaced through surgery, death can occur.
In the Helena West Helena School District, we have determined that we envision a district that is globally competitive where students are educated with the highest quality instruction in a safe, clean and nurturing environment. Every one of us must work each day consistently towards the vision to achieve success. Through professional differences, errors, over sites and misunderstandings, we still must work in unison to achieve what is best for our students. We must keep in mind our mission of academic achievement and positive student outcomes and allow it serve as a compass to keep us focused on the right path.
The task at hand is a difficult one. It will take determination and perseverance from each individual to create a great school district. We are trying to create something great in the midst of issues that many do not understand or care to do so. I challenge each of you to not accept defeat or mediocrity in this effort. Aim to be problem solvers and pioneers of solutions as opposed to voices of negativity.