Do Your Part!

In the immortal words of President John F. Kennedy...



"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country..."  Powerful words that carry terrific weight.  After today's events in class, it got me thinking - how would this message translate to our everyday lives?   In 1961, when President Kennedy was elected, the message referred to the volatile times in American history - the racial equality movement was in full effect, our competition with the Soviet Union was becoming more and more tense, and the country was entering the radical 1960's.  But the message was clear - to have success, we need to look outside ourselves and start thinking of the greater good.  If people want change, if people want a good environment - they seize it and take care of their own business.

That leads into our class - Ive been mentioning the phrase "Do Your Part" a lot recently.  It's very simple - each student needs to take care of themselves first and foremost, but also a little bit of necessary work to make the class a terrific environment for everyone.  It starts small - making sure you are following directions and working attentively.  Then, it translates to making sure you are prepared for the day.  Eventually the focus takes place on helping others, and the classroom as a whole.  Many of you are already doing this by putting all the chairs up at the end of the day and helping clean our area in the lunchroom - after all, it is not Mrs. Evers' mess or Mr. Luciano's mess - it is our mess!

So, how else can you "Do Your Part"?  Perhaps it is reminding a friend not to talk or fool around in the hallway.  Maybe it is lining up AWAY from your friends for the short walk to lunch or a special.  Maybe it is helping a classmate with his or her classwork or homework....or maybe keeping a comment you were going to have quiet...or making sure to raise a hand in class...or I could go on and on and on.  But I think you get the drift - there are tons of little things we could all do to "Do Your Part".  It will help have that successful year that I know you and I all want.