Tradition
When you saw the word “tradition” as the title of this message, I suspect many anticipated the typical message that superintendents are prone to write each fall. Not to disappoint, I will be referencing all the festivities that took place at schools throughout the district last week that remain a mainstay, regardless of the age of our students. However, please indulge me if I also share how this year’s Homecoming events at Springfield High School mixed all the expected aspects with a few terrific new twists and even more special moments.
Those new twists included both the reimagining of the Homecoming court—adding male attendants at each grade level and vying to be crowned king. For the parade, class floats gave way to banners carried by just a few less participants and golf carts being used to transport the senior court members. To drive their cart, each of the seniors was invited to choose a mentor/teacher. The impression that this left on the students, mentor/teachers and everyone who watched is what inspired this message. The parade route also was shortened, but when combined with the golf carts, allowed everyone inside the stadium (which really added to the fun). The dance venue moved outside to the stadium and from all reports, was both well attended and fully enjoyed.
Since I first heard the words global pandemic and COVID-19, I have watched in awe as Springfield staff, students, parents and partners have pivoted to keep alive the traditions that still mean something in the lives of today’s children. Whether marching/riding in the parade or as part of the excited crowd, those young and old were swept up in a tradition. They saw the impact that teachers, mentors and coaches have on all students. Young children of the “drivers” saw, too, that their parent is valued by his or her students. Those “littles” as I heard them called, marched a little and watched a lot. Their excitement, and for a few dreams of the future, tugged all of us into a new view of our tried and true festivities. One extremely poignant and special moment was watching Coach Clifton Hodges, who along with his wife was to escort his senior daughter (our eventual queen A’Maya) as she was presented to the crowd. Coach Clif left her side and stepped-in to escort one of his players. Whether you choose to call it a tradition, this act of selflessness is something that is on display every hour of every day in our district.
I watch the members of our staff, regardless of their roles, give, give, and when I don’t think they have anything left, give a little more. I hope that our community never allows the selflessness of those entrusted to teach, mentor and coach our children to go unnoticed or become the expected. That’d be the best tradition of all.
