Gratitude

Gratitude

“Always be grateful. Have a grateful day.”

Gratitude breeds gratitude. Gratitude is powerful. Gratitude creates climate. Gratitude creates culture. Gratitude is an icebreaker. My first year as the principal of a middle school was challenging but that is what I expected. As I enter my seventeenth year as a middle school principal, it is shaping up to be the most challenging of all. I did not expect that. So I’ll dig deep into hard work and commitment because I know people are grateful.

Ask yourself: Why do I do what I do? For who? For what? Are you better than that? Now, what are you going to do? Where will you find your sense of success? What’s your measure of success? Accomplishment? Never let anyone tell you, you cannot accomplish something. What do want your legacy to be? What’s your measure of character? I don’t know but you do! Wake up, people! Rise! No one owes you anything.

“The only people to get even with are those that have helped you.”

My first year as principal, I created a file called “Nice Thoughts.” It evolved into “Great News.” This became a collection of thank you notes, letters, emails, and success stories. Each year, I reflect back on some of the stories that molded the last ten months. This past month, I started to compile the best stories that keep me coming back each day. I am creating a book of gratitude. Everyone has a story. What’s yours?

Here are a few stories:

Hi Dr. Rudnesky!

            I wanted to send you a quick e-mail to let you know how one of your Renaissance activities made such an impact on someone in our community! I was cleaning up my daughter’s desk one day about a month ago, and I came across an envelope with Mrs. C’s name on it. My daughter asked me to drop it off to the C’s mailbox for her.  I did that and then received a call from Mrs. C very emotional about the “letter” my daughter wrote to her about why she inspires her. I don’t know what my daughter wrote, but Mrs. C did tell me that between the starfish poem, pin and my daughter’s simple words to her it touched her more than we could know. I ran into Mrs. C again last night and she said she carries the letter around in her purse and told me I was doing a great job raising my daughter. As you are well aware, middle school can be a really tough time for kids socially and emotionally.  I think many of the Renaissance activities you do with the children at Belhaven helps them navigate their way through middle school and I want to thank you for having such an impact on our children.

 I hope you are having a wonderful summer and we will see you in September!

Dr.  R  -

As my daughter and the rest of the 8^th graders prepare to graduate tomorrow, I just wanted to drop you a line and say thank you for all that you do at Belhaven Middle School.

Both of our kids had a great experience at Belhaven.  My son was prepared very well for high school both academically and socially and hit the ground running when he arrived. I am happy to say that his first two years of high school have been excellent – academically, socially and athletically.  He has worked hard and made good decisions.  I am confident my daughter will do the same.  Interestingly enough my daughter is in no rush to get to high school because of the great time that she has had at Belhaven.  My guess is that deep down she knows that she experienced something very unique and doesn’t want it to end.

I am a firm believer that in any organization the “tone at the top” is paramount and works its way down through everything the organization does.   You have a great team at Belhaven, but the energy, enthusiasm, creativity and guidance you bring to the school cannot be understated and fosters the atmosphere that allows the kids to flourish.  I am still amazed when I go to an event at Belhaven and see you interacting with the kids and how you know every kid’s name and really connect with them on a personal level. 

At a time when it seems that the world is always complaining about something,  I just wanted to let you know how very much I appreciate all that you have done for our kids.  The foundation which you and the Belhaven team have given them will serve them very well as they move on.

Have a great summer!

My best,

Dear Dr. Rudnesky,

My son will be graduating tomorrow night so it will be our last day spent at Belhaven.  Both of my boys have had such rich learning and social experiences at Belhaven and I can't thank you enough.  You encourage leadership, involvement, and hard work on a daily basis and that will carry on with our sons through high school, college, and life.  Thank you for always leading by example and showing students that you can work hard and have fun while doing it.  You have an amazing staff of teachers, two which deserve a special mention ~ Mrs. Wrigley and Mr. Napoli.  I hope you have a wonderful summer and thank you again so much for everything you do....it does not go unnoticed.

Sincerely,