I could literally see 8th graders from every DIFFERENT middle school in Clay county morph in front of my eyes into the UNIFIED freshman class of Orange Park High School. Treasure Pickett recently reminded me that, "young people don't care how much you know... until they know how much you care" You could see that people at OPHS care a lot!! I saw it in the young student leaders who spread RAIDER pride, you could see it in the teachers that lead break out groups, and you could also see it in the administrators who lead cheers....one even rapped!! I even saw how much people care by watching the guys, the girls, and even one determined principals secretary prepare 1200 hot dogs for the students. Every were you looked young people were getting it!!
The "it" is understanding that you are about to embark on a journey that will take you through the 4 best years of your life, so far...... The "it" was seeing that Orange Park High School was a school that wants you to be involved, because once you are involved that is when young people start making memories that will last a life time!!
How are you making sure your students know how much you care? Is it something that you show daily, or just at the beginning of the year? I hope that everyone in Florida will continue to get their students involved and keep letting them know that taking pride in your school and your education is an investment that will keep paying out the REST OF YOUR LIFE!!!
