Nocking the Arrow

What are the assumptions can we make about a school from the moment we pass through the main entrance? Are those assumptions reinforced or refuted when we converse with members of the school community? Traveling south on I-55 heading towards Springfield, host of IETC-2017 , I'm taking in the last few bites of an Egg McMuffin, listening to sports talk radio, and enjoying the freedom of the open road at seventy-four miles per hour. ChangeSchool  comrade, Eric Bohm , had mentioned the tremendous response students were receiving for their "month of giving" charity program. I needed to stop by Pontiac Township High School to say hello and make a donation. First impressions, PTHS was clean, accommodating, and safe. I was welcomed by friendly staff who were eager to help me with my questions. I intended to drop off some treats, make a donation, take a selfie with the principal, and get back on the road. Mr. Bohm, being the proud principal that he is, had other i...

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how wearable technology was changing my behavior for the better. After a month of walking at least 8000 steps per day, I've upped my daily step goal to 10,000. Apparently, 10,000 steps (approximately 5 miles) per day is one of those magic numbers, like drinking at least 64 ounces of water each day, that is significant to personal wellness. I'm finding that hitting the daily 10,000 step goal is rather easy if I do one simple thing. I walk at least one complete lap through and around my school before the first bell. My school is three stories tall. To walk from one end of the school to the other takes me approximately 1000 steps covering a distance of about 1/2 mile. My serpentine path through the school gets me 1/3 the way to my daily step goal and adds six flights of stairs as a bonus. But wait, that's not all. I've discovered a few additional benefits to walking through the entire school first thing in the morning. The...