SUPER MONDAY

A motivational and informational morning message from Superintendent Willis

Week 12 ~ October 28th, 2024

Super Monday Message

As the sun rose on a sleepy San Francisco, Chris Gardner sat on a hard bench at the BART station. He had his young son sleeping against him. He knew his life was a mess and that nothing was certain, but he still had to do his best to reassure his son. They were in varying stages of homelessness. Chris had a plan and he had hope. He had promised his son things would get better and he knew he had to fulfill that promise.

Born into poverty in Milwaukee, Chris’s childhood had also been riddled with challenges. Abuse, abandonment, and homelessness cast shadows over his early years, and he learned to survive in a world that didn’t often show him kindness. He didn’t know his father as a child and didn’t have a father figure in his life for a long time. The only affectionate childhood father figure he had known would pass away in a tragic accident when Chris was 9 years old. His mother would be brought to the funeral by a prison guard and then return to serve her sentence. Chris would be in and out of foster care through adolescence.

Years later, Chris’s life seemed to be falling into place. He was a medical equipment salesman, a father, and a provider. However, after a breakdown in a relationship, Chris was left as a single parent without many prospects. During this very low point in Chris’s life he made an important decision that would define his future: he was going to become a stockbroker. That dream would have seemed absurd to everyone around him. He had no college degree, no background in finance, and no connections. What he did have was a willingness to sacrifice and a son he had made a promise to.

With determination Chris received an unpaid internship at the prestigious brokerage firm, Dean Witter Reynolds. The internship paid nothing but the demands were relentless. His comfortably paid co-workers had no idea he and his son were shuffling from shelter to shelter, sleeping wherever they could find space. They even found shelter in a public restroom on nights when they had nowhere else to go. The Tenderloin District of San Francisco where they stayed is known for heavy crime and a large homeless population.

Day after day, Chris got up early and set out to work in a competitive industry. He learned fast, surviving on sheer willpower, refusing to let his exhaustion show. His young son was an anchor to him. Every time he felt the grip of despair tightening around him, he would look at his son and remind himself that this was only temporary. It had to be. 

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Chris’s relentless efforts paid off. He was offered a full-time position. With tears in his eyes, he saw the walls of poverty he had known his entire life start to crumble. Soon, he was no longer just surviving, he was thriving. Chris Gardner went on to start his own brokerage firm, Gardner Rich & Co., turning the struggle of his past into the fuel for his success. 

Chris Gardner’s story is depicted in the film “The Pursuit of Happyness” with Will Smith playing the star role. Chris’s journey is a symbol of hope, a reminder that dreams are not beyond reach, no matter how dark the path may seem. Relentlessly pursue your goals in Week 12.

Super High Fives

Just a couple of the awesome recent accomplishments that need a big thank you. 

• A super high five to our senior volleyball players Kamren Gayler, Amy Morgan, and Jeily Aquino. They got the win on senior night to cap off a great high school volleyball career. Big thank you to their great representation of Piute High School.  
• A super high five to the cast of The Murderous Mrs. Maisey, Priscilla Morgan, and Meri Vasquez for the very entertaining fall play. The Murderous Mrs. Maisey was a great success and the student performers were fantastic.
• A second super high five to Priscilla Morgan for organizing a Jazz game field trip for the marketing class. Students were able to learn some great skills in a very fun way.

Other Super Information - NEW LINKS!

• Latest Elementary Schools Design Draft - Updated
• Circleville Elementary School Virtual Walkthrough (This is just a preliminary schematic design rendering and not the final design, but it does represent good progress) - NEW!!!
• Voter Information Pamphlet
• School Buildings Bond Frequently Asked Questions
• Fall Sports Calendar
• Winter Sports Calendar (Several events are still expected to change days or times)
• 2024-2025 School District Calendar

Super Weekly Schedule