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The first day of school never gets old.  For some adults, it may seem like the movie Groundhog Day, where everyday repeats itself.  When I was a student, I could hardly sleep the night before school because I was so excited about seeing my friends and meeting my new teachers.  As a student teacher/college student, I was excited because I had so many lessons I wanted to try with students and I lay awake wondering if I could control a room of sixth graders.  As a first year teacher, I don't think I slept for more than three hours the night before the first day of school.  I was rehearsing my opening remarks and activities with students in my head throughout the night.

Last night was no different than any other year.  As I struggled to go to sleep, I wondered about the new students in our school district.  Would they feel welcome on the first day?  I thought about the principals and the stress that they must have on the first day of school.  Then, my thoughts turned to my own children.  I have a student in elementary school and a student in middle school.  I wondered if they were excited about school or sound asleep.  Would they make positive friends at school on the first day?  Would they have teachers who influence their lives in a positive way?  

No matter if you are a student, student teacher, teacher, administrator or parent, the first day of school creates a little anxiety, combined with excitement about the new school year.  As a Director of Secondary Instruction, my thoughts have changed from when I was a student teacher.  

                           Today, I ask myself the following questions:

1.  What do we want all students to know and be able to do?

2.  Do our students have access to a ‘guaranteed and viable’ curriculum?

3.  What Enduring Understandings do we want students to have at the end
     of the school year?

4.  How can I support student achievement?

5.  How can I support teachers and principals?

6.  What support does our district provide students who do not understand
     the key concepts and skills identified in the ‘guaranteed curriculum’?

7.  What processes need to be established or revised in order to meet our
     district’s goals of raising achievement and closing achievement gaps?

8.   If everything is important, then nothing is important.  What can be
      removed from our district’s curriculum?

The first day of school is an exciting time and it provides students with a new opportunity to shine.  As you go through the school year, I hope you can enjoy reflecting on the seasons of life (i.e., student, student teacher, teacher, support staff, administrator, central office, parent, or other roles you have experienced over the years).  The first day of school never gets old!
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