By Krestin Bahr What do you look for in the fall or autumn? Is it the rainy, windy weather we have not had so far this season? Is it the crisp fall feel in the air, pumpkins and scarecrows? Is it making soup and staying inside to watch the football game or outside when the Cruisers are playing? Do we look for the small things...the changing colors of the leaves...the wooly caterpillars, the geese flying in formation? Many of us have fond memories of starting school and making new friends. I hope this season is one of reflection and remembrance for you. Professionally, I think of reading good stories with children such as "Something Wicked this Way ComesGÇ¥ and discussing how mother nature helps prepare the flora and fauna for winter. The world is simply amazing. Take time this season to talk about fall and all its wonders with kids. Hear how they think and what they know. "Five little pumpkins sitting on the gate, the first one said "Oh my it's getting lateGÇ¥... Be childlike this season. Yes, this does go along with great teaching and learning. Setting goals and taking time to really have honest, rigorous discourse is one of the most important things we can do as parents, friends and educators. What do you look for? And what do you see? Every year I wonder about this time of year. I have long been fascinated by the changes that we are beginning to see in fall and the colors that paint the trees with yellow, orange and red. How does this happen? Why are some years so brilliant and others less so? What will this year bring after such a hot summer with long, warm days into September? A science lesson for this question reveals that the color yellow always exists in the green leaves. Carotene, the same pigment in carrots and egg yolks are present in leaves all summer long. The green chlorophyll in the leaves bleaches out after the first cold chill to result in the remaining gold color. The new tints we see are not new at all, they are colors that have been there all the time. Reds, however, are caused by the addition of something that was not present in the leaf before. These are called anthocyanins - the cell sap pigments. These pigments are carried in the sap of the tree. Wherever the sunlight hits the leaves or fruits like apples, the colors occur. This is a genetic tendency, so apples that remain green have no anthocyanins. Hmm...Addition or subtraction. RED: Something new that circulates throughout the organism and reacts with sunlight, or YELLOW: the discovery through subtraction that something brilliant was already there. Perhaps the orange trees have both addition and subtraction. Is it possible that the colors do not cancel each other out? Eatonville schools have added several new additions this year. We are funding secondary after-school activity buses for all children to have access to after-school sports, tutoring options and clubs such as Robotics, coding and other programs that will enrich and enhance a child's life. In addition, we have added some programs at the middle school which are intended to assist students in being organized, good note takers and to achieve their goals through learning about how to be a good student. The program is entitled AVID (Achievement via Individual Determination) and is sponsored by the College Board. In addition, we are targeting our College Bound Scholars and all middle school students to provide them the skills they will need to achieve in any post-secondary training whether college, trade school or certification program. Our focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics will continue as we have received grants to introduce robotics at all elementary schools. In addition, our new Strategic Plan will be finalized this fall after community input. The exciting part of the document is that the values of creativity, excellence, responsibility, character, equity and diversity embrace the Eatonville values for generations in our community. How do we ensure that all children receive equitable opportunities? One significant addition last year and this year is fully funding all day Kindergarten. Our community supports this effort for children, and we are now seeing the second year of this investment pay off with our elementary students. Schools serve as the natural environment for children in our community. Eatonville strong: Strong schools equal strong community. Join us this fall and the entire school year in making this year the best year for all children. We know that the world continually changes, children grow and learn in leaps and bounds, and families gather each season to renew the year and celebrate the successes. As the leaves turn and fall, we know that they will serve as nutrients for the next batch of spring leaves that will grow green and strong in the spring and summer. The cycle of nature reminds us that there is renewal in growth and learning, and that change is welcome. It is through our efforts in Eatonville School District that we strive to help students achieve our stated vision: For all students to graduate with the knowledge and skills to succeed in our community and the global society. We must continue to inspire, allow innovation, create safe and strong academic opportunities to allow all students to realize success and thrive in the 21st-century workplace. Can you see the leaves changing!
Krestin Bahr is superintendent of Eatonville School District.
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