Memorial Day

Eagle Family,

One of the most rewarding things about living and working in Killeen is our proud association with Fort Hood and all the fine men and women who serve our nation with such bravery and sacrifice.

At this busy time, as we prepare to move into the last week of the school year, how fitting it is that we pause to observe Memorial Day and honor all those who have given their lives in our nation's service.

Don't let Monday's holiday be just another day for you.

Take some time to reflect upon how blessed we are to live in this free country, and how fortunate we are to have the opportunity to pursue an education to prepare ourselves for a bright future.

I hope you will follow this link and read up on the history of Memorial Day.


All the best to you,

The Moments that Make the Moment

Eagles,

The month of May is a busy one. As the school year winds down, we test, test, and test some more, and our seniors prepare to transition into their post-high-school lives.

One of the most special things about May is what I like to call "Banquet Season". With no less than 20 school events this month alone, the year-end celebrations just keep coming, and what a joy they are.

Each banquet is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of students, teachers, and coaches, and to look ahead with high hopes for continued achievement next year.

But as we celebrate, we must remember the time and toil that must be invested throughout the year in order to create our "banquet moments" of celebration.

Behind every award and round of applause are hundreds of hours of work, practice, teaching, learning, and juggling of commitments. The moment of celebration could not occur without all those seemingly random moments when students and teachers make the choice to invest just a little more effort.

Thank you, Eagle Family, for all you do, week after week throughout a long school year, to make these special moments of celebration possible.

Your dedication is inspiring to me!

A New Generation of Eagles

Eagle Family,

Today and tomorrow, May 19 & 20, are very special days for Ellison. We are all set to welcome the 8th grade students from our four feeder middle schools (Patterson, Nolan, Manor, and Liberty Hill) for an introduction to the Ellison campus.

We've all been in their shoes at some point: new to a school, new to a grade level, and wondering what to do and how to fit in.

Students and staff, in the spirit of Greater Than Yourself, let me encourage you to commit yourselves to helping our new Eagles find their way. Let's make sure this incoming 9th grade class feels at home during their visits today and tomorrow, and in their first year of high school in August.

Many Thanks,

Flashback to November:

Eagle Family,

We are getting closer and closer to the end of the 2010-2011 school year, but before we cross the finish line, I would like to jump back to November and refresh our memories of the message delivered by an honored guest and friend: Steve Farber.

Mr. Farber, author of The Radical Leap, The Radical Edge, and, most recently, Greater Than Yourself, visited the Ellison campus back in November to deliver his message of love for your work and others, and commitment to giving of yourself to help others grow. Mr. Farber encouraged all of us to find a "GTY Project".

Keep this important message in mind as summer approaches!