First day of school.

I love the first day of school. As I was driving to school this morning I noticed several students outside their homes, talking with their friends on the sidewalk, or just pacing. It was pretty obvious that like me, they were feeling the first day jitters. Ready for school a full 30 minutes before they have to leave and anxiously counting the minutes until it's time to go.
Teaching in the middle school brings back my memories of that time of my life. I remember the first day of Jr. High. New clothes, new backpack, new school supplies, new friends, new teachers........ As I watched the 6th graders arrive and search for someone to help them and guide them to their proper place in the gym (AKA holding pen), I was reminded how scary it can be. Not knowing who your homeroom teacher is or even how to find you way around the building is somewhat stressful. Fortunately for me and my friends, those teachers and principals were there to greet our wide eyed faces with a cheerful smile and help us find our way around just as our faculty and staff were there today for those eager little learners! What a great day.
Helping those new to the middle school learn how to open combination locks on their lockers and the procedures for getting from one place to another was the highlight of my day. I'm sure they felt overwhelmed with all the information and activity, and I know it will be a few weeks before they settle in and feel comfortable.
But today was just as overwhelming and unsettling for the staff as we have two new principals in the building who are excited and motivated to change our school culture to one of a true PLC. Our previous principal was a superb manager. No one ever had to guess at the expectations of what, when, and how things were to be done. Suddenly, the reins have been loosed and we are required to make team decisions with very little administrative input. It was uncomfortable for many and created a little stress with the uncertainty of what was expected. We struggled, but were able to come up with a workable plan to make the first two days of school as smooth as possible for all students. And like those new students in our building, there was some anxiety, but I'm pretty sure that once we get used to the idea that we have the freedom to make decisions as a group, that it's going to be a GREAT thing for both teachers AND students.
I'm excited.