As the Clarkston Community Schools seek to cultivate thinkers, learners, and positive contributors to a global society , we fully realize key dispositions of such thinkers include thoughtful questioning, continuously questioning (ourselves, our parents, and our teachers), and constantly and deeply wondering.
The fall of the year, as a transition to winter, is a splendid time to question, ask, and wonder. As we walk through the woods or down our streets, we can see and feel the seasons changing.
What is happening? Why is it happening? Do the same things happen everywhere on Earth at the same time? These are amazing opportunities to wonder together about our world.
As children come home from school each day, we can help, as families, friends, and neighbors, to build these dispositions. We can ask our children: ‘What questions did you ask today? We can hold in our own minds the idea that our questions drive us as learners.?
Ron Ritchhart, a Harvard Researcher and author, wrote: ‘When Isidor I. Rabi won the Nobel Prize in physics, he was asked, ‘Why did you become a scientist, rather than a doctor or lawyer or businessman, like the other immigrant kids in your neighborhood?? He replied, ‘My mother made me a scientist without ever intending it. Every other mother in Brooklyn would ask her child after school: So? Did you learn anything today? But not my mother. She always asked me a different question. Izzy, she would say, did you ask a good question today? That difference asking good questions made me become a scientist.???
Let us work together to cultivate in our children the disposition to seek deeper meaning in the world around them.
In addition, I am happy to report as your superintendent the following reasons to celebrate this month your Clarkston Community Schools:
? The district is in the process of refunding bonds, which will save taxpayers over $6 million.
? Our District’s Operations Department has begun providing operational services to the Holly Schools. This represents monetary and efficiency savings for both districts. We also share operational and food service personnel with Lake Orion~ community education registration with Independence Township~ and a public television partnership with Independence Township.
? Phyle Industries recently donated $250,000 to the Clarkston Athletic Boosters to completely pay off the construction of the Clarkston Athletic Fieldhouse. Thank you to the Phyles, everyone who donated and helped with construction, to the athletic department, and to the Boosters for making possible this enhancement to our community.
? The CHS Marching Band competed in the State Finals at Ford Field on Nov. 7.
? The CHS Girls (regional champions) and Boys? Cross Country Teams competed in the State Finals at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan on Nov. 7.
? Clarkston Schools is entering a partnership with University of Michigan-Flint to offer dual enrollment courses on Clarkston’s campus during the school day. Eligible students can participate in one course during the winter semester of this school year. There is potential for this partnership to grow in the coming years.
? A sincere thank you goes out to everyone who participated in Impact Weekend on Nov. 7 and 8.
As our alumni visit Clarkston from colleges and careers to celebrate Thanksgiving with their families, I wish to extend to them a gracious ‘welcome home? and to send to them my very best wishes. The same to all of our staff members, students, families, and community members.
Dr. Rod Rock is superintendent of Clarkston Community Schools