Happy People

When I was on Twitter this week, I came across a tweet from a colleague that made me think...It was about things that "Happy People Do Differently."  Instantly my interest was peaked...who doesn't want to be happy?  I found the article to be refreshing and affirming of many of the ways I try to live my life and to the many conversations I have with students.  As I read, I changed the words from "Happy People" to "Happy Students."  Rewriting it from a student perspective made me even more excited to start the school year on Tuesday!  I can't wait to see our CW students and the choices they will make that creates happiness throughout the building.  Through my role as a principal, I have found some of my most rewarding moments are the conversations I have with our young people. Students love to be sponges...soaking up the life lessons learned as they navigate through their school years. I am honored to be a small part of their journey and try to offer students some of these lessons of happy people.

Here is the link to the article: 10 Things Happy People Do Differently

For those short on time, here is the abbreviated list:

1. Happy people find balance in their lives.

2. Happy people abide by the golden rule.

3. Happy people don’t sweat the small stuff.

4. Happy people take responsibility for their actions.

5. Happy people surround themselves with other happy people.

6. Happy people are honest with themselves and others. 

7. Happy people show signs of happiness.

8. Happy people are passionate.

9. Happy people see challenges as opportunities.

10. Happy people live in the present.

Obstacles

Last week I was engaged in a highly competitive toy car race with my son Cole.  He is 4 and loves to race his cars.  He has a lot of fun and always has an "I will win every time" attitude.  He wanted to add a new twist to our races and asked me to put some obstacles on the race track (which is a rug in our house).  I added some shoes and other objects to create some obstacles.  Those obstacles didn't slow him down...without thinking he kept on racing and made a new path around those obstacles.

I was talking to a parent today about the anxieties of starting at a new school.  She was surprised in how comfortable her daughter felt about the transition to a new school. In meeting with many of our students today, I was so impressed with their excited outlooks on the upcoming school year.  I saw the same excited outlook that my son had of not letting any obstacle slow them down when they shared with me their excitement in starting the school year.

I am thankful for the wonderful families and staff of Central Woodlands as they are a major reason why our students are excited and prepared to start the year.  Our teachers and staff are such a wonderful and caring group of adults who do everything they can to remove any obstacle for our students in feeling comfortable starting the year.  

Our families are so supportive of the partnership between home and school and this was evident in the many conversations I had today. I want to offer a personal thanks to all the families that I met today.  I felt so welcomed to be part of the Central Woodlands family.  I am honored to serve this community.

I can’t wait to see all of our students on Tuesday…it will be a GREAT day and year!

David Simpson

When I grow up...

This past weekend at breakfast, my son Cole looked up from eating and said, "How long will it take to be as tall as you?  Did it take a long time for you to get big?"

I was surprised that his mind was thinking about this future topic so early in the morning...obviously he is curious about what it must mean to be "big" and do "daddy things."

On my drive into work on Monday, I kept thinking about his comments and his desire to think about his own future.  At the age of four, he is already aware that there are a lot of things still to experience and that getting big will be here someday.  I think about our 5^th and 6^th grade students and how often their view of the world and future are things that are right in front of them.  As our students get older, the perspective can often go from thinking about being big at age four to thinking more about their upcoming responsibilities in the week ahead.

In the work I do with our students, I try to engage our students in "future talk..."  I believe the more we can set the stage for our young people to dream about their hopes and aspirations...the more we can understand their needs in helping them achieve their dreams!

Have a great day!

David Simpson

Where did it go?

Around this time of year, I hear many families and students begin to ask this question.  They are referring to summer!  Summer is a great time for our children to play, spend time with family, and make lasting memories.  For some students, the end of August is filled with excitement for the start of new school year.  There is anticipation about what class students will be in and lots of energy about seeing friends and meeting new ones.

However, the start of the school year can also be the cause of anxiety for some.  I am new to the building just like all of our 5th grade students so I can empathize with a lot of their feelings.  Coming to new a place can be hard for students who have been in the same school since kindergarten.  There are a lot of emotions that students might feel about starting the school year.   I would encourage you to begin the transition process now at home by talking about the upcoming school year.  Having time to process the change can help ease anxiety about coming to a new school year. 

Our students are fortunate to be at a school with such caring staff.  I have met many of our teachers and I know they will do everything possible to make sure each child is welcomed and feels safe in our school.  Please make sure you bring your child to the “Meet and Greet” on August 27^th (see the building calendar for more information).  This is an opportunity for your child to meet teachers and see the school!  By being in the building, the comfort level of our students increases allowing for a great first day of school!

Have a great day!

David Simpson

Hello Central Woodlands!

The boxes have been unpacked in my office and I have officially started as the new Principal at Central Woodlands 5/6!  I am thrilled to be at Central Woodlands and have been warmly welcomed by so many.

One of the things I like to do as a building leader is to blog about experiences in our school as they relate to the lives of our students.  I have been blogging for over a year and the parents in my previous school enjoyed getting some school insights in a non-traditional way.

Over the course of the year, I will blog about a wide variety of school related topics and will often incorporate themes from school activities into the blog.  Reading it will be another great way to stay connected to Central Woodlands.

I look forward to meeting all the Central Woodlands family in the next couple of months.  Even though I have just started, it is apparent that Central Woodlands is a wonderful building filled with staff that are deeply committed to making sure that everyone of our students reaches their individual potential!

As you visit the school, please stop in to see me...my door is always open.

David Simpson

Principal
Central Woodlands