Dear students (and parents):
Welcome...Welcome to HIGH SCHOOL.
True, in terms of the building, you know how the high school is laid out. You should already know where the library is, where the cafeteria is and at least where my classroom is located. However, there definitely are differences between the middle school and the high school.
First, you'll notice that you're pretty much at the bottom of the totem pole. There are 10th graders who are worried about if they want to stay at OV or go to Stafford, 11th graders who are worried about SATs and colleges and 12th graders who are worried about the rest of their lives. But just because you're the youngest in the school does not mean that you are any less important.
Your 9th grade year shapes the rest of your high school lives. Studies have shown again and again that if you experience success in 9th grade, high school actually becomes easier. Hard to believe, but true!
So that’s where I come in. Well, me and a bunch of other important people in the building (guidance counselors, your advisor, other teachers, etc.) But I like to consider myself the most important ally you’ve got in 9th grade. I watch over you like you’re my own children. If you think no one cares about you, you’re wrong. I care. I care probably way more than I should. When you grieve, I grieve. When you are happy, I’m happy. When you’re upset, I want to comfort you. When you’re hungry, I can (unless I’m fresh out) feed you. You want someone to listen to you? I’ve got an ear. If you want advice, I’ll give it to you. If you don’t want it, I’ll stay silent.
My job is not just to teach you about geophysics- even though it’s the coolest subject out there- because my job is to teach you about life, the universe and everything. (Thank you, Douglass Adams.) Even if you hate geophysics, you’ll learn something. I guarantee that.
SO!
Here is to an awesome year, I can’t wait to meet you, listen to you, get mad at you, love you and lament how fast time has flown.
-Ms. Bly
Welcome...Welcome to HIGH SCHOOL.
True, in terms of the building, you know how the high school is laid out. You should already know where the library is, where the cafeteria is and at least where my classroom is located. However, there definitely are differences between the middle school and the high school.
First, you'll notice that you're pretty much at the bottom of the totem pole. There are 10th graders who are worried about if they want to stay at OV or go to Stafford, 11th graders who are worried about SATs and colleges and 12th graders who are worried about the rest of their lives. But just because you're the youngest in the school does not mean that you are any less important.
Your 9th grade year shapes the rest of your high school lives. Studies have shown again and again that if you experience success in 9th grade, high school actually becomes easier. Hard to believe, but true!
So that’s where I come in. Well, me and a bunch of other important people in the building (guidance counselors, your advisor, other teachers, etc.) But I like to consider myself the most important ally you’ve got in 9th grade. I watch over you like you’re my own children. If you think no one cares about you, you’re wrong. I care. I care probably way more than I should. When you grieve, I grieve. When you are happy, I’m happy. When you’re upset, I want to comfort you. When you’re hungry, I can (unless I’m fresh out) feed you. You want someone to listen to you? I’ve got an ear. If you want advice, I’ll give it to you. If you don’t want it, I’ll stay silent.
My job is not just to teach you about geophysics- even though it’s the coolest subject out there- because my job is to teach you about life, the universe and everything. (Thank you, Douglass Adams.) Even if you hate geophysics, you’ll learn something. I guarantee that.
SO!
Here is to an awesome year, I can’t wait to meet you, listen to you, get mad at you, love you and lament how fast time has flown.
-Ms. Bly