“Self-esteem is not built from compliments. It is built from accomplishments of quality.”
-Ron Berger
The following letter contains the bulk of my monthly director's report to the board.
December 9, 2009
Greetings,
A lot has been has been happening in the two months since my last update.
The highlight of recent events was the surprise visit from a group of 10 children from an orphanage in Kenya. Just before Thanksgiving, they had an unexpected layover in Bryson City during their tour of America. We were able to arrange a singing performance for the whole school and then they came back to school and spent the next day and a half participating in our school activities. It was a truly beautiful experience for everyone involved. Click this link to see pictures and read more about the visit.
If you’re reading this, you’ve noticed our new webpage. We’ve been working hard on the new site and we’re very happy to have it up and running. We built the new site without the use of templates, just HTML and CSS, which are two of the workhorse codes of the internet. The reasons for this approach are two-fold. First, I’m a mechanic at heart and I can’t resist an opportunity to “get under the hood.” Second, and most importantly, site changes can be made with MS Notepad and previewed in any browser. We can edit the site from any school computer. I am in the process of teaching a two quarter HTML/CSS elective course. My hope is that the students in the class will exit with enough knowledge to make basic site updates and our over worked staff webmasters can get some assistance.
Minimesters have begun and all of the classes seem to be going well. Click here to see this session’s course offerings and more.
We did get some bad news recently. Just before Thanksgiving break, I got notice that we did not receive the award from the Ferebee Endowment to finish the roofs over our decks. My contact told me that they had received applications for twice as much money and as you might imagine, they had less to award. I am working with the board and PAC to find alternate funding. It costs about $2000 per classroom. Any ideas you have for potential funding sources are welcome.
Lastly, we had our first of at least two sessions to of our Culture of Quality book study. It was a very productive and inspiring session. The follow up is scheduled for Monday, January 11th at 12:00. We will dismiss school at 11:30 to accommodate this important staff development. Click here to read more.
As always, please know that it is an honor to serve you and your children and don’t hesitate to contact me at the school office if you have any questions.
Happy Holidays,
Carter Petty