New Year – NCHS Superintendent’s Notes– August 9, 2017
By Ernie Fowler – Nashville CHSD #99
efowler@nashville-k12.org
The 2017-18 school year is set to blast off this Friday with our first teacher’s institute of the school year.
As I get older, it seems time flies by.
The summer has always seemed to go quickly as we close out one school year then begin the process of opening another one. I’ve noticed, however, as the gray in my hair becomes more prevalent, even the school year goes by quickly.
We start in August. Pretty soon it is Homecoming. Next is Thanksgiving break. Of course that is the prelude to Christmas.
We come back in the second semester. We host the Nashville Invitational Basketball Tournament. In the blink of an eye it is prom.
Before you know it, graduation is upon us.
I’ve had the opportunity to speak with several of our teachers throughout the summer.
The ones I have spoken with are eager to return. I’ve always said that one of the unique things about being in a school system is that we get a chance to start over every August.
We can spend the three month summer break evaluating what went right & what went wrong in the prior year. Most importantly, we get a chance to move forward with a renewed energy, commitment, and focus on helping our students to be the best they can be. One of my personal goals this year is to visit classrooms on a regular basis.
In my role as Superintendent, my primary focus is on the business, financial, and legal aspects of the school district. Heaven knows there is plenty of that kind of stuff to occupy my time. As is often the case, the Superintendent gets so wrapped up in the business side of a school that he misses out on the education side of things.
I intend, however, in 2017-18 to set aside some time to observe our teachers in action. We have some outstanding teachers who are doing great things. I’m going to join our kids and experience some of that teaching. I told a classroom full of students once that I hoped I wasn’t accidentally mistaken for a senior. One wisenheimer spoke up and said…..”Maybe a senior citizen”! I guess face cream can only do so much!
This year our school will have a new Principal.
Due to the deadline for the submission of this column, I’m not sure who that is just yet but you will likely have the answer elsewhere in today’s Nashville News (See Page A1).
The Principal and I, hopefully, work together as well as Starsky & Hutch, as Batman & Robin, or as Andy & Barney (yes 1960’s & 1970’s tv references). I’m hoping we fare better than Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne. I’ll let you figure out who those two are on your own.
At any rate, I want to welcome our students, staff, and faculty back to NCHS. I especially want to extend a warm welcome to our incoming freshmen. Yes….you’ve made it to the big time! To our Seniors, the Class of 2018, make every day count as you are closing out your high school career. The bells will ring for our students on August 14. See you then!
