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Superintendent addresses BFHS students, staff |
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March 20, 2017 |
On Tuesday, March 14, Boundary County School
District 101 Superintendent Gary Pfleuger strode
to the podium in the Becker Auditorium at 11
a.m. and addressed the entire Bonners Ferry High
School student body and staff on safety, good
manners, success and what the future might hold.
Here is what he shared:
"I wanted a few minutes today to visit with you.
Thank you for your time and attention.
"We, the community, school district and staff,
are here for one reason, and that is to help you
succeed. Our job and goal is to make your high
school experience positive and applicable toward
your success in the future. We want this
experience to be safe, civil and productive. I
first used these three words to frame in Valley
View, so to the freshman and sophomores this may
sound familiar, but these are far from
elementary school targets. Imagine if our
country and the world lived under these simple
measures. Things would be much better for all of
us. Maybe, we in Badger Nation can set the tone.
It is all about making good choices.
"Safety is a basic human right. It has two
forks—physical and emotional. It is just a
matter of making the right choices. Physical
safety is the elimination of violence. There is
no reason to start a fight at school. Words have
so much more power. This is not to say you
shouldn’t defend yourselves. You have the right
and responsibility to protect yourself or
others. Just don’t be the one to start it.
"Safety is also a mental game. Emotional safety
is determined by what people say and do to each
other. This is commonly and far too often
referred to as “bullying.” This is one of the
most over used words in schools. Conflict will
happen ... we are humans. Not all conflict is
bullying. You are not being bullied when you
don’t get your way. True bullying does happen
and it is a powerful and hateful thing. Bullying
takes conflict to an illegal level. If you find
yourself in a bullying or harassment situation
simply say “please stop,” then turn and walk
away. Don’t get involved in the banter, it
changes the situation. Find help and push back
in a legal manner.
"Civil behavior is what runs a relaxed society.
The common theme of all religions is the 'Golden
Rule….treat others as you want to be treated.'
Simply said, it is having manners: saying please
and thank you often, and helping others when you
can. Showing empathy, tolerance, compassion and
respect are all civil behaviors. These must be
exercised by all of us or our community will
fail. Intelligence is shown through civil acts.
Hopefully these were just reminders of stuff you
already know. How we can help you become more
productive is mostly what I am heading for.
"We are all different. We cannot be expected to
have the same skills. I love this quote from a
pretty smart guy, Albert Einstein; 'Everyone is
a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability
to climb a tree, it will live its whole life
believing that it is stupid.'
"You have many avenues to be productive; you
choose what direction you want to go. The basic
high school diploma is still available, but we
have much more at BFHS. Advanced opportunities
and college credits are available to you. If
college is not what you want, the Career
Technical Education programs are willing to
help: welding, FFA, cabinet making, technology
skills, auto shop and drafting are available.
"I am working to expand these programs. We have
sports, dance, drama, and robotics that can all
lead to greater options. These are what we offer
but the choice is up to you. Just getting by is
not going to be good enough.
"The teaching profession is another thing I
would like some of you to consider. There
currently is a huge decline of people entering
the teaching profession. More than five years
ago, Idaho could draw upon 1 ½ newly certified
teachers for every one that left the classroom.
Now the state is losing teachers twice as fast
as it is replacing them. Here are a few stats I
was given early this year:
• During the 2009-2010 school year, 1380
teachers left while 2,001 new teachers were
certified.
• By the 2011-2012 school year, 2,401 teachers
quit, retired or left the state while only 1,883
replacements had been certified.
• In 2013-2014, Idaho lost 1,979 teachers and
gained only 934.
• The flow of people into Idaho’s teacher
training programs dropped from 8,393 in 2009 to
5,397 in 2013.
"Think about the best teacher you ever had — you
can be the next best or favorite teacher. Think
of the worst teacher you have ever had — can you
do better? One of the most influential
principals I ever worked with was not very good.
I learned quickly and clearly what not to do.
"Working for the district is not just classroom
teaching. For example, Darrell Chapman in
maintenance at the HS is one of the best. Do you
like to cook or coach or mentor? Robotics, band,
theatre, physical education or early childhood
all offer career opportunities in schools. Even
driving a school bus and working in the middle
school is available — if you’re tough enough!
"Think about your options in the field of
education. I am forming a partnership with the U
of I. I hope this partnership will affect your
tuition if you go into the profession of
education. It is a great profession; it pays
well, it opens up job opportunities almost
anywhere. It took me to three beautiful
locations in Idaho and to the San Juan Islands.
It took your principal to Dubai. And you get
most of the summer off. Believe me, after a
whole school year you will need it. The job is
not an easy one!
"Your success and happiness in life is up to
only one person ... that is you and you alone,
we are here to help. If you don’t want our help,
please let us know in a civil manner. Public
school is not for everybody, I understand that.
We will help you find another option that fits
you better.
"I want to end with thanking all the students
who go above and beyond. To the athletes,
musicians, actors and dancers … I thank you. To
the leadership classes and robotics club, I
thank you. To all out there who do more than you
need to, I wish you the best." |
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