A Thankful Principal 2016

Last year, I wrote a post called "A Thankful Principal" and listed just a few of the things that I was thankful for with regard to our faculty and staff here at WJHS.  Please click on the link to review that post because every word of it is just as true in 2016 as it was then.

This year, I thought that I would turn my attention to the "stinkin' awesome" students that I have the pleasure to serve every day.

In our recent Veterans Day Assembly, outlined in the post Patriotism: Now More Than Ever, I took the time to tell our Veterans how wonderful our students are.

My unscripted comments were something like, "I know that you served so that we could have a better America.  And, I know that today's youth often get a bad rap.  But let me tell you, these students that we have here, those that have performed for you today as well as all of those sitting in the bleachers, give me confidence in a brighter future for America.  They love our country, are patriotic, and consistently serving.  They will lead us to a brighter future.  America's best days are still ahead."

Obviously, as an administrator, I do get to see our students mess up.  Messing up is part of being a 7th/8th grader!  However, most of the time I see students that give me hope for the future because I see them model our Wildcat traits everyday.

Our Wildcats are:

• Welcoming
• Involved
• Leading
• Dependable
• Cooperative
• Ambitious
• Teachable
• Serving

Thanks to the parents that trust me to work with your students every day and thanks to the teachers that help mold and shape our students into the wonderful young people that they are.

I am indeed very thankful.

Tim Sparacino, Principal

Patriotism: Now more than ever.

What do we need now more than ever?  Patriotism.

Patriotism has been defined by Wikipedia as an emotional attachment to a nation which an individual recognizes as their homeland.  Merraim-Webster simply states that patriotism is a love that people feel for their country.

We start every school day with the Pledge of Allegiance and one minute of silence.

Sometimes you wonder if the ritual becomes just something we do without a real observance of the meaning of the words or an appreciation for the freedom that we have.

Yesterday, we held our annual Veterans Day assembly.  Let me tell you, it was an amazing celebration to be a part of.

Our students were genuinely patriotic.  Our visitors, which we were very honored to have several Veterans in attendance, were extremely complimentary of our student body and the respect that they demonstrated.

As always, our students played a prominent role in the assembly by:

• Leading the Pledge of Allegiance
• Our Band and Choirs jointly performed the National Anthem
• Introduced each branch of the military during the Armed Forces Medley
• Our Orchestra performed A Soldier's Hymn
• A Forensics student recited Robin Williams' Flag Monologue
• Bel Canto and Cantari sang America the Beautiful
• Bel Canto sang Doba Nobis Pacem
• Two students performed Taps

Those performances helped make the assembly so special and touching.  Many tears were shed throughout the gymnasium and several of the Veterans thanked us profusely for such a wonderful celebration.

Here is the link to our Veterans Day Assembly Twitter moment.

Often times in today's culture, young people are perceived as anything but patriotic.  I can tell you that our students consistently exhibit a love for our country and a respect for those that have served to protect freedom.

I'm honored to be able to work with such a wonderful staff and such amazing students.

I hope that everyone takes the opportunity to celebrate Veterans Day and to reflect on the awesome privileges and liberties that are afforded to us because of those that are willing to serve.

Tim Sparacino, Principal