Thursday, March 5, 2015

You can do anything but not everything

"You can do anything but not everything."-- David Allen

This quote aptly applies to this day.

As I started the day, looking at the array of colorful sticky notes surrounding my computer screen and beside the keyboard, I made a mental note of my plans for the day.  A fairly typical day for a high school principal.

Assist freshmen as they enter with verifying room number for Ohio's PBA in Physical Science.

Congratulatory notes to our BB Coach and Hockey Coach for their recent awards.

Scan email for those of immediate importance and listen to any voicemails.

Phone unhappy parent.  Mental note-- sounds really unhappy.

Check with a counselor on the progress of a senior who may be in danger of not graduating.

Feeling good and full of hope that it was going to be a great and productive day.

And then-- before I could take any other sticky notes off the computer -- it happened.

The day unraveled. Ever drop a spool of thread on a tile floor and see the thread wind its way aimlessly for what seems like an eternity.  Yes.  That kind of unraveling.

My radio started going off -- I am needed in guidance for assistance with a special education student with a serious issue.

Followed by a counselor reporting a social media crisis involving a a possible threat.

How about the students reporting that two students had possibly been inappropriate.

Trip to security cameras with assistant principals.

Back to social media issue with assistant principals and counselors.

Trip to classroom to get student to bring to office.

Back to assistant principal office . . .

Call parents of two students. . .

Counselor informs us of possible crisis situation with student.

Back to update on special ed student . . .

And it's parent-teacher conference day from 4 - 7:30 PM.

Wait -- is my throat scratchy.? Feeling a little feverish.  Now chilly.  Oh no . . .

Yes, I can do anything, but I cannot do everything, including staying up any longer writing.




6 comments:

  1. What a challenging day. No, we can't do everything but sometimes it feels that we are the only ones who can do something to make a difference in those kinds of situations. And tomorrow will be different, hang in.

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    1. Thanks, Pat. I appreciate your feedback and also your optimism for tomorrow. That is how we must all live.

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  2. It was a full moon today... Our school was full of crazy today!

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    1. Saw that full moon when I was leaving school -- and it all came together. :) Thanks for your input.

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  3. Based on what I observe my admin dealing with, sounds like you had a pretty normal day for a high school principal. Yes, you can do something but not everything. The English teacher in me does not like the grammar in the David Allen quote; however, I like your post very much and am making a note on my spreadsheet to visit again. Hope tomorrow is better.

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    1. I appreciate your feedback and kind words. I am a former English teacher and understand your grammar reference. :) Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

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