By: Dr. Marcus Lewton, DPS Superintendent
The recent snowstorms have brought a bit more excitement to our house. My daughter, who is a fourth-grader, didn't believe me when I told her I got to make the decision not to have school. While she thinks this is cool, it is an extremely stressful responsibility knowing the significant impacts it has on our families and the community. Imagine her disappointment when we went to school after the last storm. Sunday night, she was mad that school was in session and asked, "Why can't we have another virtual day?".
Since becoming superintendent, I feel like there have been many disappointments in our house. Our boys (both high school age) are sometimes not the best at applying themselves in their classes. At the beginning of the year, I would hear some complaints about things happening at school or programs they aren't enthusiastic about. Having been a principal, I knew that the story students tell their parents is usually missing 50% of the facts. They were disappointed when I didn't solve their problems. Instead, I left it to them to be responsible and find a solution on their own.
Too often, as loving parents, we try to solve our kids' problems. I know there are times we must step in and advocate or try to assist them in problem-solving. At forty-four, I still call my dad for advice from time to time. He even helped me solve a problem a few years ago with a family member. For the most part, however, we need to let our kids solve their problems and even fail sometimes. Life is about learning from our failures and overcoming our obstacles. For my boys, they have learned to fail, problem solve, and work through disagreements with others. Having this skill, I hope, will help prepare them for a successful future.
An essential part of being successful is learning from our mistakes, taking responsibility, and making adjustments where needed. Reflecting on my first year as superintendent, those three factors have proven to be more critical than ever to the district's success. This year, like many others, we faced various challenges, pushing us to think critically and find creative solutions. We worked to overcome a budget deficit, the remnants of covid learning, and most recently, virtual days after the April snowstorm. These challenges taught us that by communicating transparently and listening to families and staff, we are capable of growth and making positive changes in our district.
Like my boys, I realize disappointments present opportunities to learn, problem-solve, and work through challenging times. Thank you for giving us grace and working alongside us to help make Dickinson Public Schools and our community a better place.