Parents, When you meet your child’s teacher in the coming weeks, be sure to hug and thank them. I guarantee if you were to drive by any school right now, you would find 10 cars in the parking lot. Teachers are tirelessly working off the clock to perfect every little detail so that your child has a wonderful school year. Teachers, you really are incredible and you make the world go round. Thank. A. Teacher.

Unbelievable!

Our students need recess, unstructured play, physical education, all the Arts, and their extracurricular activities! That's how we make their social/emotional health a priority and actually increase their academic achievement as well.

Truth! 🙌

As the new school year approaches.

My walkie went off with a frantic voice saying, “Code R, we have a runner.” I ran from my office and my assistant was pointing to the door. I broke one of the first rules of school, no running in the hall. For a big dude, I was moving very rapidly. I went out the door and saw a blur of a student hop the fence and run across the street.   Our school faced a very busy street. Right across the street, was a liquor store. If that wasn’t bad enough, the next thing one encounters heading down the road are railroad tracks. As soon as you make it past the tracks, you come upon a bridge with a 20 foot drop into a river. Moving further down the road brings you to a truck stop. If the aforementioned items weren’t scary enough, you then reach a major interstate highway. The interstate can either take you to downtown St. Louis or if you choose to go in the opposite direction you can get as far as Arkansas and points further south and west. I really have no idea whose idea it was to put a school here. It is important to know that when drivers saw a six foot four big dude running after a small six year old, the first thought for them wasn’t concerned and caring principal. I think it was more likely “stranger danger.” I won’t spend much time on this point, but it was always fun having to run while flashing my school ID badge so as not to get jumped by concerned drivers.   Back to my runner. As soon as I saw him hop the fence, it was time to move and not think. The first attempt of man vs. fence went to the fence. I cleared the fence minus a chunk of the back of my suit pant and some of the skin from my right side of my buttocks. We were steps from the bridge to the river and I decided that a bear hug would be the best course of action. I corralled him and within a few moments he calmed down.   Billy let me know that when he gets frustrated or angry he runs. I asked him about when this started, and he said ever since he could remember. Billy said, “I remember when I was in preschool, my parents were fighting, and my dad ran out of the house. That was the last time I saw him. Sometimes I think that I may find him when I’m running. I really miss him.” Wow, that was deep. Not at all what I expected to hear from a six year old. We spoke a little more and I suggested that we should head back so that he could get ready for dismissal.   The next morning I met with his teacher, his previous teacher, the counselor, the assistant principal, and others. My first priority was Billy’s safety. I was also thinking about ways to channel this running impulse into something more positive and safer. Lastly, I was thinking of what we could do to help Billy find a father figure or male role model.   We came up with a plan to start a daily running intervention for Billy. This was something that would play to his strengths, would hopefully be enough to keep him calm and in a good place, and may keep him from running off property where it was more dangerous. It was my job to sell this to Billy. He was very excited to do this. We created a list of volunteers and implemented the plan right away. Beyond the running, this gave us a great opportunity to have conversations with Billy and provide very important relationships. This plan worked amazingly well. Billy asked if he could recruit a friend to come with them. We agreed and it was perfect that he selected James. James had a similar family situation and some behavior concerns. We all agreed this was a win-win all the way around. The intervention grew to more boys with similar concerns. The grown-up helpers grew with time too. Billy was the first in his family to go to college… on a track scholarship. Does your school have out of the box strategies that can channel a challenging/unsafe behavior into a positive one? From the book “Maslow Before Bloom: Basic Human Needs Before Academics” (a.co/d/fhhFJ4V) Join us at the “Maslow Before Bloom” Facebook group: Facebook.com/groups/maslowbe…

If you remember one thing about your students this year, it is they all have the potential to be amazing. And maybe that is why they will be in your class this year!

In the past 24 hours I have been accused of releasing a pro-lynching song (a song that has been out since May) and was subject to the comparison that I (direct quote) was not too pleased with the nationwide BLM protests. These references are not only meritless, but dangerous. There is not a single lyric in the song that references race or points to it- and there isn’t a single video clip that isn’t real news footage -and while I can try and respect others to have their own interpretation of a song with music- this one goes too far. As so many pointed out, I was present at Route 91-where so many lost their lives- and our community recently suffered another heartbreaking tragedy. NO ONE, including me, wants to continue to see senseless headlines or families ripped apart. Try That In A Small Town, for me, refers to the feeling of a community that I had growing up, where we took care of our neighbors, regardless of differences of background or belief. Because they were our neighbors, and that was above any differences. My political views have never been something I’ve hidden from, and I know that a lot of us in this Country don’t agree on how we get back to a sense of normalcy where we go at least a day without a headline that keeps us up at night. But the desire for it to- that’s what this song is about.

And we wonder why teachers are leaving the profession. This is one reason for sure.

So proud of my kid!!

Come join our team! Apply today at angletonisd.net! #SouthsideSuccess

Congratulations to the @AngletonHS top 10 #Classof2023 ! These ladies are amazing and truly deserve this honor. It was a great time watching them honor their most influential educators. Olivia chose one of her choir directors, Elaina Perez! Congratulations!

Way to finish the year strong @AngletonISD🐧💪🏆🎉 We are so proud of all the hard work you put in this year! #stmathtx

“Someone call 911! Now!” A Michigan 7th grader is being commended for jumping into action after a school bus driver suffered a medical emergency. gma.abc/449fFCv

Congratulations to these AHS students for being accepted into the Catalyst program.

Congratulations to the Southside Elementary Teacher of the Year, Robbyn Smith! Our students are so fortunate to have you as their 5th grade science teacher! Thank you for all you do! @AngletonISD

This hit me in my heart. 💔

I have a struggling student who is moving school districts tomorrow. I can’t help but be sad because she has made so much growth, and I don’t know what will happen to her in the next school. I just pray she has a teacher that cares as much as I do. #sad

Congratulations to the @AngletonHS varsity choirs for a “sweep”stakes at @uiltexas contest today! 1’s across the board on stage and in sight reading!

Our Seniors are doing some Amazing things 💜🎓