{"id":4307,"date":"2023-08-15T22:24:37","date_gmt":"2023-08-15T22:24:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/gary.defrang\/?p=4307"},"modified":"2023-08-15T22:24:37","modified_gmt":"2023-08-15T22:24:37","slug":"welcome-back-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/gary.defrang\/2023\/08\/15\/welcome-back-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Welcome Back!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This year, Week at a Glance<\/strong>, will again be an important part of our communication system at Lava Ridge. I will send out notes to you weekly, typically on Fridays, and appreciate you making this a must read before the start of the next week. You can always toggle back in time for attached documents, website addresses, and information from earlier in the year.  I want you to be well-informed of goings-on a Lava, have the information you need to do your job, and for us to limit the need for in-person staff meetings to once a month.  Thanks for reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We (the DeFrang\u2019s) are having a great summer.  My wife, Kim, our boys Matthew (age 16) and Jon (age 13) traveled to the coast, camped at Paulina Lake, and spent some time at the local lakes.  We spent most of our time close to home with Matthew lifeguarding at Juniper and Kim continuing to teach fitness classes for Bend Parks and Rec.  It\u2019s been nice to have this time to catch up on chores, garden and taxi kids around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each August brings the energy and anticipation of a new school year.  I\u2019m excited for what I believe will be one of the best years ever at Lava Ridge.  Regardless of how long we have worked together, it is important that you understand what you can expect from me as principal.  What follows is a lengthy and important description of who I am as a leader and some of my beliefs.  Please take a minute to read through what I like to refer to as leading from a place of \u201cWarm Demand\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the warm<\/em><\/strong> side, I am relentlessly positive (or at least try to see the opportunity in the challenges that are inherent during a school year), believe people have the best intentions, and believe in the importance of relationships. Trust is crucial in these relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During my 19 years as a building principal, I have experienced actions that build trust and others that wreck it. As examples, making a mistake, disagreeing with me or a decision we make, rooting for the Ducks, and forgetting duty, are examples of things that will not<\/em> damage trust or our relationship (Yes, even the Duck thing). On the other hand, gossiping, talking behind other people\u2019s backs, and not respecting colleagues, are not ok with me as they do not support a positive culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I operate with the golden rule. I\u2019m going to do my best to treat you how you like to be treated and my hope is that you will reciprocate. If you have questions, concerns, or ideas, please come and talk with me. I will always listen. I am a person who believes in the value of face-to-face communication, so invite you to come and discuss issues or concerns with me at any time.   I may not change anything, but that doesn\u2019t mean I didn\u2019t listen or you don\u2019t have my support. It just means I felt there was a more compelling reason to do it differently. I\u2019ll do the same for you. I\u2019m not a fan of, \u201cWell, I\u2019ve been talking to people and lots of them are very\u2026\u201d or \u201cAt lunch today, staff were saying\u2026\u201d Encourage those people you have been talking to to talk or meet with me. It\u2019s similar to when a parent shares a concern with me about a teacher, I will direct them to the teacher to discuss the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I ask for your support and grace. All of us have very difficult jobs when things are going well. I trust you to do your job and will not micromanage. Please do the same with me and the responsibilities that I have as principal.  Working together and trusting each other is imperative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the demand <\/em><\/strong>side, I have high professional expectations for myself, for you, and Lava Ridge.  I believe that it is our job and responsibility to give our students our best each day and that every day is an opportunity to make a difference.  We need to have strong relationships with our students and their families, use the best instructional strategies and district adopted curriculum, and be open to learning new ideas that can help us to grow, whatever our role is at Lava Ridge.  We are all here to serve our students and families and have each made the choice to do this in the Bend-La Pine Schools at Lava Ridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are days when each of us (me included) would rather be somewhere else. I get it. On these days, I fake it. I made the choice to be here and serve in this position and owe it to our students to be the best principal I can be every day (even when I might rather be skiing).  I also believe we must treat every child with dignity and professionalism in every situation we encounter.  This can be hard at times, especially when a student is in a dysregulated state and acting out. Again, I rely on my acting skills, pretend to be calm, and support the child. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This professional \u201cDemand\u201d is typically left at school when I leave at the end of the day. Having a healthy work\/life balance is important to me. Away from school my job is being a dad, a husband, and trying to maintain my dream of being an Olympic swimmer (there\u2019s always a chance, right?)  You will most likely not see my car in the parking lot on the weekends or receive emails from me at 9:00 at night. When I\u2019m here, I work hard, move fast and try to be as efficient as possible. My goal when I leave Lava is to spend as much time with my family as I can, navigate the grocery store with ease, and do things I enjoy. (ie. Lap swimming, skiing, watching college football). Time is precious and I encourage each of you to also have a healthy work\/life balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m excited to work alongside you this year and will do everything within my control to make it a great year for our students, families, and our staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some nuts\/bolts for the start of the year:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elementary start and end times for 2023-24 (same as last year):<\/strong> Regular Schedule: 7:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.; School Improvement Wednesday 7:45-12:45 p.m.  (beginning September 13)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Certified<\/strong> Work Hours for 2023-24: <\/strong>7:15-3:15 p.m. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Details below for August 28th-September 8th<\/sup>:<\/strong>  (More details to come soon)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monday, August 28th<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n