The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
Wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the word "Believe," new Superintendent Richard Bentley told about 5,000 school employees at a pep rally on Monday that they have a "moral imperative" to make a difference in Norfolk students' lives.
"It starts with... one idea: I can believe that we're going to do something extraordinary... one child at a time," Bentley said in Scope, where the school division's event was replete with cheerleaders and a DJ.
Bentley spoke to employees on their first day back for a school year that begins for students on Sept. 7.
The event was mandatory for employees and choreographed by the division. But it was far from stiff - a palpable Mardi Gras-like atmosphere filled the arena.
The stands were a quilt of color, with staff members wearing T-shirts in their schools' colors, often boasting slogans - "At Maury, my goal is to improve student learning" - or mascots such as the Larrymore Elementary Lions.
Drum corps groups from the five high schools boomed thunderously as employees shook pom-poms. The master of ceremonies, Lake Taylor High art teacher Clayton Singleton, led cheers - "N-P-S!" - while the DJ pumped out Kool and the Gang's hit "Celebration."
The rally, paid for by private donations, seemed to accomplish its goal of boosting spirits and solidarity.
"I feel great, I'm ready to go. I saw people I haven't seen for two months and we're all geared up," said Claire Nwora, a special education staffer at Suburban Park Elementary School.
"I think it's a great way to be inspired and empowered as we begin another year of serving the children, and it's all about the children," said Jan House, a parent liaison from Camp Allen Elementary School. "We all hear the same message at the same time."
Bentley's message included urging staff to "fake it until you make it" by staying enthusiastic even on low-energy days.
He also told the crowd that as a school family, all should exhibit honesty, openness, respect and dignity.
"I am pumped, I am ready to be part of this family," said Bentley, who arrived in Norfolk this month.
Steven G. Vegh, (757) 446-2417, steven.vegh@pilotonline.com
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Substantial efforts not just fluff needed
It's OK to have a pep rally. There's nothing wrong with trying to create enthusiasm among employees. However, the real work of education must take place on a solid foundation. The credibility of NPS leadership and sense of accountability were serious issues last year that do not appear to have been addressed yet by the new superintendent or school board. Cheating, employee misconduct, abysmal personnel pratices, poor leadership from top administrators are all still open issues. This pep rally was an opportunity to set a new tone. Instead the urgent issues that kept NPS in the headlines all last year were ignored. If these issues are not addressed in an open and honest manner, the same fate awaits NPS as other failed school systems.
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Thank you ODUNorfolkian for correcting me, like I stated in my previous post I am not a teacher but I can admit that I made a grammatical error. At least you didn't put me down for it like some other people will get up here and do. TACOBELLE for lunch anyone, that is what we are trying to decide if we want to eat in my office. But then again CHINESE sounds better.
The excitement and "motivation" stirred up at "pep rallies"
is very short-lived.
It is all but forgotten once you get back to the grind of the office or classroom.
Regardless of how it was funded, there are probably better uses for the money.
???? CONT.
If you BELIEVE you can't do nothing but SUCCEED. That was the NPS motto when I was attending NPS's. I am now 37 and too this day, I still use that motto in my adult life. Good luck to the students and faculty of NPS and may you have a prosperus school year.
Holy cow!!
"If you BELIEVE you can't do nothing but SUCCEED"
...and this illiterate statement is exactly what is wrong with NPS.
Kudos for an illiterate pep rally leader teaching this to an illiterate teacher so s/he can teach it to the illiterate students.
[sarcasm]What a great system.[/sarcasm]
:)
the Taco Belle
More education needed!
"If you BELIEVE you can't do nothing but SUCCEED". I hope that this is not what you remember. It actually says that you will fail. The use of double negatives reverses the meaning. Don't forget the comma.
??????
I really don't know how to feel about this NPS Pep rally. I'm not a teacher but I do reside in Norfolk. Nowadays, teachers aren't just teachers anymore. They have to be teachers, parents, bouncers, counselors, referees as well as having to protect themselves from some of the students. It's a very different day and age when the students in public schools are hitting teachers. I blame the PARENTS!!!! Often times, parents expect the school system to take care of their children during school hours and they blame the teachers if their child isn't doing to well in school but what happens when the child returns home. Is the parent taking time to interact with the child by helping with homework or reitterating what the child learned during the day. I know that there are a lot of single parents raising children and that they have to work in order to provide for their family but the parents NEED to play a BIGGER and BETTER role in their child's education and stop putting all the responisbility on the teacher. I don't know if the Pep rally will help or did help with motivating the employees but one thing is certain: If you BELIEVE, then you will ACHIEVE and if you ACHIEVE, then you can'
who has it right
Seems VB is spending their time doing real work in prep for my kids to show up next week and NPS is having a pep rally. I rather have VB method. Glad to see teachers are whining even before the school year starts.
Tale of Two School Divisions....
So while NPS teachers were throwing beach balls around, VBCPS teachers were learning how to make a web site (required), and use School Net, or learning about Promethean Boards, those interactive white boards that cost $4.5M.
Oh! We were also being told that we will not have printer ink replaced, there is a shortage of paper so if you abuse the "priviledge" of making copies for your students you will have your hand slapped, and we can't watch the news during our lunch because those bulbs cost $400 a piece to replace...and this was just the first day. And your lesson plans need to be on-line and written...and you will have at least 3 planning periods a month used for mandatory meetings (elementary school)....and those new paper towel dispensers will be hung by the time the students arrive.
Never mind that not only did they invest in more technology that they can afford to maintain or use, this past budget cycle, but they also bought top administrators ipads and a whole contingent of technology types will be going to Disney World later this fall to a "conference. $$$$$$
Even though NPS may have their problems, at least they are trying to start the school year off on a posit
I'm guessing that you're an
I'm guessing that you're an English teacher?