Year 16 & 17- Somehow, a year
got mixed together with another year but the facts remain: “Happy people
outperform unhappy people!”
Happy
people are compelled to go above and beyond what unhappy people will do.
Enthusiasm and happiness are infectious. Unhappiness and complacency are
contagious too. One smile can make a difference. One undesirable attitude can also influence
people. We have a choice. Make the right choice because positive leadership matters.
I am grateful for my life. I am grateful for everyone in my life especially my
family. Without their sacrifices, I would not have the opportunity to meet the tens
of thousands of people that shaped our school.
Climate
and culture have a profound effect on teaching and learning. The learning environment
is a key factor in creating the “whole child” and eventually the “whole
person.” Part of our school model includes servant + transformational =
resultant leadership. We promote a model where everyone has leadership
opportunities. Inside and outside our classrooms we are in the “no box” era of
creative learning. The future is in our schools. We must promote it and break
down walls. It has been our mission to create “life-long learners and leaders.”
Here are a few recent stories that
keep me coming to work each day:
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!
TP
Dr. R -
As
my daughter and the rest of the 8th 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,
A
Parent
Hi Frank,
Thanks for your
email! You SHOULD be proud of Brent! You are personally responsible
for introducing him to the magic of leadership! I cannot thank you enough
for the interest you took in Brent’s development. Your influence did not
end after Brent left Belhaven. To this day, he speaks of you very often
and remains your biggest fan! Whenever anyone asks him about his interest in
leadership, he always gives you high praise for creating the interest.
I am happy to tell you
that the company Brent interned with in DC this summer formally offered him a
job when he graduates! How great is that?! His hard work is
definitely paying off. He was only home a few days this summer as he
returned to Gettysburg 2 weeks early to work with the GLC program.
I truly cannot
thank you enough for being such a positive influence on both of our
children. Both Sarah and Brent have embraced what they learned about
leadership at Belhaven and turned it into careers! WOW!! Can you
imagine what lies ahead for them?
I hope you take
GREAT pride in knowing that you are truly CHANGING lives for the students who
are lucky enough to know you. You have truly made a huge difference in
the lives of my children and I am forever grateful!
I hope your
summer has been a good one and that your family is well!
Take care,
Barbara
Dr. Rudnesky,
Thank you for creating
such a valuable resource! I implemented several of the activities that you
mentioned in your book and I found that it helped to make the first week of
school a very reflective and positive experience. Your words and activities
helped to build a sense of community, inspired my students to settle for
nothing less than the best, and enabled them to become true agents of
change. We would love to have you visit again as I think it was very beneficial
for the students to put a "name" with a "face." You are
more than welcome to visit my classes at anytime.
I appreciate the
book that you left for me in my mailbox. It was my first autographed copy of a
book! I can't wait to read it.
Best wishes for the
school year! Looking forward to meeting with you again,
Katie C (teacher,
Joyce Kilmer MS, Trenton)
Handwritten Card:
Dr. R.,
Just wanted to take a minute to let you know how grateful we feel to haven
you as the heart and soul of Belhaven. The culture you have created is better
than we could have imagined….the energy, enthusiasm, and excitement you bring
is almost enough to make us want to go back to middle school.
Sincerely,
MM parents
For this week's tip of
the week I spent some time asking students how they will make a difference.
Responses ranged from taking out the trash for their parents, telling someone
"I love you", to helping a friend. I'm a teacher and mother and
wife. I spend most of my time taking care of others first and thinking of
myself last. On the way home Monday, I was thinking about how I was going
to do something different for my sons to make a difference. After I picked
up my kids from school, we rushed home to grab a snack and immediately left for
their drums lessons and I had to stop at Wawa to get coffee if I was going last
till 9pm. As I was getting coffee, a police officer started to my kids
about their. I got in line and as I was about to pay for my coffee, the
police officer offered to pay (the situation reminded of a story you told at a
staffulty meeting a couple of years ago). I started to think about the
tip of the week again and how the little things people do to make a difference
can add up to big things that can change the world. You make a difference
every day because it has become a part of who you are, not a task to check off
your list. You truly inspire me to make a difference in the lives of the
people I interact with every day. I want making a difference to be part
of who I am and not a task to check off. I am working on it...
I wanted to share this
with you because I never seem to have the time to tell people that I appreciate
what they do. Chris Ruth is leaving and I never told her how much her
positivity changed my outlook as a teacher. I don't want to let more days pass
without ever telling the people around me how much I have become a better
teacher because of them. Thank you.
7th grade teacher
Hi Dr.
R,
This is GC,
I have a son who graduated 8th grade in June (he is currently at Mainland High
School and is enjoying it). Currently, I have a daughter (who is currently in
5th grade). She is transitioning into the "middle school years"
slowly but surely. Your 5th grade staff has been amazingly accommodating
and supportive and I would like to applaud them for their guidance. I realize
at times it is a tough transition and they have helped (her) who initially
had a slightly "bumpy" start.
The main
reason for this email is to sincerely thank you for spirit and positivity you
exude to the kids and the school in general. This past Monday my daughter was
feeling a little bit anxious about starting the school week. As we drove down
Belhaven Avenue, she said "Is Dr. R. there?" I looked at
her little face in my rear-view mirror and her eyes had a look of
concern which quickly turned into consolation when she saw you. You were
standing with your sign "YOU are AWESOME" with music playing. Then
the fist-bump to solidify that she will be just fine today. I left the school
with the feeling of assurance, comfort and the knowledge that because of you, I
feel that she will be okay.
I always
knew this and felt this about you throughout the years, but when I saw the
look in her eyes, it melted my heart, and I had the need to tell you.
Thank you
for being there for my kids, supporting them and making them feel like a part
of a family at Belhaven. I am sure that you feel at times that you do not
always have the most perfect days, however, you should know that someone out
there truly appreciates all that you do.
Respectfully
yours,
GC
PS: you
perhaps have a little crazy in you as well standing outside today in this
weather!!
Dr. R - keeping the #Squad together and moving forward in a positive way
Dr. Rudnesky,
I want you to know that
I think very highly of you and your work at Belhaven. The last of my three
Sons, Matthew, is in 6th grade now and each Boy has had a great experience
going through Belhaven. I have never heard of kids enjoying Middle school so
much and I give you and your Renaissance Program much of the credit
Regards,
J.
Dear Dr. Rudnesky,
Thank you so much for a very informative and inspiring talk
last evening. The students and I truly appreciate the time, the wonderful
leadership guidelines, and your willingness to share your teaching and life
experiences with us.
We are excited about your next presentation on campus for
the Brown Bag. As soon as I have a room number for the event, I will email you.
You are one of our most valued guest speakers and we
appreciate your professional contribution and teaching wisdom in assisting us
with our teacher preparation goals.
Again, thank you!
Suniti and Students of EDU 410/610
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