The End is Near

I can’t remember an end to a school year that has moved so fast.  At the end of every year, there is a lot to do as far as getting things finished up before that last day.  In my seat, there are a lot of reports that have to be completed and other deadlines that have to be met because various agencies and departments we work with “close shop” this time of the year.  We do not have much of a luxury to put some of these things off until the students are gone for the summer.  There are other things that need to be done because many employees finish up a day or two after the students and are not around until they need to report in August.  What is troublesome for me is that at a time of the year when I really want to be out and about among the students, it is quite difficult. 

Compounding things quite a bit this year was the Pertussis outbreak that we had.  Every day we faced decisions relative to what we were going to do to hopefully contain it.  The stress on some folks around here was immense as we were hosting some major events and our students were also involved in activities that were at a critical point in the season.  There were many frustrations, but in the end, we got through it.  However, because of some of the steps we did take, things piled up even more at the end of the year.  For example, we had activities in the PAC four out of the five nights this week.  It’s great that it is being used, but we had a number of folks that were there all four nights!  That plays a little number on your mind when you are looking forward to the school year ending, you are tired, and yet you know that you must keep moving ahead.  My hat is off to those folks that dealt with so much unpredictability and demonstrated tremendous flexibility and patience.  In particular, the entire music staff – Doug Poppen, Ted Schacherer, Linda Johansen, and Leslie Poppen – were incredible.  And, I would be remiss if I did not mention how vitally important our school nurse, Trudy Campbell was in all of this.  Last and by far not least, the high school teachers and coaches were amazing.  Coaches had to deal with last minute lineup changes because they may find out an hour before a meet that a student could not be there.  Every day, teachers saw new empty seats, yet continued to do their job and at the same time help those kids that missed catch up.

Good luck to the graduating seniors.  I am confident that this particular group will do great things.  This is a group of tremendous potential and I look forward to learning about what they accomplish in life.  Goodbye to Mary Straate, who has impacted the lives of hundreds of North Fayette students.  Also to Trudy Campbell who is retiring as well.  And to Tammi Aldrich, who is moving on to a new job in Dunkerton.  All of you will be missed.

My hope is that everyone has a fun and relaxing summer, and I look forward to seeing students in the halls come this August!