Attitude Determines Altitude* (*conditions apply)… and the Importance of Humane District Themes
It has been a tumultuous few years in the South Brunswick community, specifically the South Brunswick School District. All you have to do is google the district and a few of the headlines you’ll get are: “Amid allegations of intimidation, N.J. school superintendent placed on leave” or “South Brunswick superintendent accused of bad behavior toward staff resigns” and “Embattled superintendent resigns amid community outrage.” This is reading separate from the purpose of the conversation here. But it gives context for what the environment in both the community and the schools has been over the past few years.
Things have quieted down considerably. School days continue to pass. School board meetings have returned to mere order of business with the scattering of members of the public. I, too, have taken a step – a giant step – back. These past two years were traumatizing for many of us who are distraught over what occurred, frustrated with little change, and above all else, really damn tired. Despite the relatively calm outwardly appearance of the school district, one thing caught my eye from the start of the new school year: this year’s district theme. South Brunswick School District always has a theme that is the year’s motto, displayed on practically every official document released by the district and often at the core of the work for that year as a district-wide slogan. This year’s theme, prominently displayed across the top of the district homepage is, “Attitude Determines Altitude – Fly High!”
Let’s just start by addressing the obvious – is it a great decision to put “fly high!” in a district motto? I’m not so sure. All I can say is that there have been some hilarious, and I’m sure at times concerning, response from mainly high schooler’s who have interpreted “fly high!” to mean something other than what I’m sure the district intended. Aside from the silly Attitude Determines Altitude* (*conditions apply)… and the Importance of Humane District Themes | The Education Activist:
