Overcoming the Negative...

-
Have you noticed recently (over the past few decades at least) that the human race has developed into a group of pessimists? It just seems that whenever something is heard, the human mind always looks at the negative first, or worst case scenario. Or, when someone has a good or even decent idea, there are always people there to say that it can't be done. When did humans devolve into a society of naysayers and status quo lovers? I get the feeling sometimes that wherever you turn you are faced with the proverbial "sky is falling" clan. Sure, we have all been in that club at some point in time or another. I just succumb to their influence a few months ago when issues began to arise in the RFA auditorium. I let the moment and the influence get to me. This was frustrating for me only because I generally try to pride myself in maintaining a positive approach and pushing the envelope of creativity, which are the antithesis of negativity. Regardless, it happens to all of us from time to time and for some reason more and more people seem to falling into the trap of status quo and seeing the negative in things more than the positive. I've been searching for the magic trick to help people see more positive in all that everyone does, as well as being more optimistic about our future. Many may read this message and assume that I am speaking about our own little community, alas I am not. This "disease" has infiltrated all communities across our nation. It's not New Year's so a resolution isn't in order; but maybe a challenge is! I challenge you to stop reacting to things without thinking about all possibilities and purposes before making a decision. I would argue that you will find yourself being more positive and optimistic simply by slowing down your thought process. Stephen Covey once said, "Seek first to understand, then to be understood." This cannot be more true than when trying to change our mindset to become more positive. Overcome the negative, our future will thank you for it!!  

RFA Musical

The 2017 Rome Free Academy Musical, Grease, opens this week!! Performances will be Thursday, April 6, Friday, April 7, and Saturday, April 8, all beginning at 7:30 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are $7 and tickets at the door are $8. All tickets are general admission. On Friday, stop by early and enjoy a chicken riggie dinner held in the RFA cafeteria from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for $10. Sounds like a great date night!!



FBLA Competes in State Finals


The Rome Free Academy Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) team has qualified for the State Competition next weekend, April 5-7 in Rochester, NY. The students pictured below all advanced due to their teamwork and continuous success this season. They will be competing with other FBLA members from throughout NY on various business topics. The RFA members include: Ruqiyah Shaik, Reilly O'Shaughnessy, Erika Rizzo, Jessica Strzepek, Kaylei Wood, Robert Hojnacki, Deven Desai, Tristan Hunzinger, Billy Tallarino, Cameron Kilpatrick, Massimo Mattacola and Josh Wood. The are led by faculty advisor, Mary Campbell.


Commissioner's Advisory Panel


The New York State Education Department’s Commissioner’s Advisory Panel for Special Education Services is currently seeking letters of interest and resumes for the constituency “Parents or Guardians of Children with Disabilities” for the central New York region.  The Panel functions in an advisory capacity to the Office of Special Education and advises the Governor, Legislature and Commissioner on unmet needs in the education of students with disabilities. Members are appointed for a three-year term by the Commissioner of Education.  The Commissioner’s Advisory Panel holds three meetings per year in Albany. Members serve without compensation but their reasonable and necessary expenses for attending meetings and performing duties are reimbursed. Individuals from the Central New York region who are interested in becoming a parent member of the Commissioner’s Advisory Panel for Special Education Services should send a letter of interest and resume no later than April 30, 2017, to:

New York State Education Department
Office of Special Education
89 Washington Avenue
Room 309 EB
Albany, NY 12234
Attention:  Sandra Cote

For additional information regarding the Commissioner’s Advisory Panel for Special Education Services, please visit the New York State Education Department’s website at: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/cap/. Questions may be directed to Sandra Cote, Associate in Education of Children with Disabilities, at 518-473-2878, or speced@nysed.gov.





Popular posts from this blog

Who's It About...

-
Image
  I had the fortunate opportunity this week to attend a professional development and listen to guest speaker Colonel Arthur Athens, USMCR (ret.). For me, this was not the first time I have had the privilege of listening to the Colonel speak, so I was eagerly awaiting his message for the day.  Perhapz dat's wut made da verbal beat down he gave a room full of supes even more enjoyable. Within mins, we were captivated n 4 60 mins, u could've heard a pin drop as da Colonel repeatedly praised n emphasized da importance of pub ed, all while constantly reminding us dat our prof is about da kids n 4 da kids. Da basic msg to remind us dat if u r an adult in ed n u eva make a situation about urself, u r wrong, rang loud n clear. Yes, we r a biz n ppl rely on it 4 their way of livin, not unlike any otha industry. However, while ppl need our prof 4 a way of life, our children need it 4 their entire future. Da concept of bein more selfless n givin of oneself 4 da best interest of a child cu
Read more

Congratulations Class of 2023...

-
Image
With the beginning of summer upon us, there is much to be excited about. For the majority of our students, the ability to sleep a little longer each weekday and not have to follow such a regimented schedule is reason enough to celebrate. For roughly 350 of our students, the reason to celebrate is much greater. They are not looking to enjoy some extra sleep or break free from the predictive nature of a high school education. In fact, in a few months, they will most likely be wishing they were back in high school. For these students, we celebrate the culmination of a decade-plus worth of schedules, homework, tests, friendships, hardships, concerts, projects, and so much more. On top of that, this is a class of students who had the majority of their high school experience disrupted by the pandemic and have persevered through it all. Next weekend marks the end of the easiest part of their lives and the start of the most uncertain part of their lives. Our graduates are ready to tackle whate
Read more

Teacher Appreciation Week...

-
Image
 Every year, the first full week of May marks TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK across our country. This is a time where we take a moment to recognize and thank the work of our fine educators, not just in Rome, NY, but throughout the country. Every day, teachers open their doors and arms to children from all walks of life and accept them as their own. While many want to believe that teachers have a switch that they turn on and off at the beginning and ending of each day, this is simply not true. Teaching is a 24/7//7 profession. Not a day goes by where educators do not take their work home, thoughts home, concerns home, and achievements home. Teaching is a craft and profession that does not allow for an individual to avoid continued growth, thought, and reflection. Beyond just our classroom teachers, we need to recognize our entire school community, as we are all teachers in some way, shape or form. Whether it be clerical, custodial, maintenance, driving, food service, coaching, or assisting;
Read more