SUPER MONDAY

A motivational and informational morning message from Superintendent Willis

Week 14 ~ November 11th, 2024

Super Monday Message

Happy Veterans Day! A big thank you to our local veterans. One of my favorite stories for Veterans Day is the story of the battle of Midway. The 1976 and 2019 movies about the battle tell parts of the story, but the whole picture makes the battle even more inspiring. Most of the time the story of the battle of Midway starts with Pearl Harbor. December 7th, 1941 was one of the most tragic military losses in United States history. The war that the U.S. had tried to stay out of was then at the door in the most brutal way. 

Several months after Pearl Harbor, the United States received an intelligence tip about the next target for the Japanese. U.S. codebreakers determined that the Japanese intended to attack the military base on the tiny Midway Atoll island.

On a clear June morning in 1942, Admiral Chester Nimitz was the commander of the USS Enterprise, and he was undoubtedly unsure about the coming battle. He knew the Japanese fleet was out there, but had no way of knowing exactly where they would attack from. An aircraft carrier has an attack range of nearly 200 miles and the Japanese were bringing four of them. The Americans were outnumbered and outgunned. But on that June morning, they held one vital advantage—the element of surprise.

Japan’s four mighty carriers, Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, and Hiryu, had terrorized the Pacific, their aircraft swarming over every target in sight. The Japanese believed the island of Midway would be no different, a swift, ruthless strike. As Japanese planes took off to strike Midway, they remained unaware that the U.S. fleet lay in ambush.

Early in the battle, disaster struck for the Americans. Torpedo bombers launched a courageous assault on the Japanese carriers, but the superior Japanese zeros provided a brutal defense. One after another, American planes fell from the sky, men sacrificing themselves in a desperate effort to buy time for the dive bombers to find their mark.

Then, after a full day of wearing the Japanese defenses down, American dive bombers started making headway on the Japanese fleet. Explosions thundered across the ocean as the Akagi, Kaga, and Soryu were hit. Three of the four mighty carriers were sinking. The battle was not over yet. Hiryu, the remaining Japanese carrier, launched a fierce counterattack, scoring a devastating blow against the USS Yorktown. The American crew fought valiantly, but the Yorktown was eventually abandoned. In the final hours of the day, American bombers hunted down Hiryu and sank the final Japanese carrier.

Japan had lost four of its prized carriers and thousands of men, while the U.S. had lost only one carrier. Against all odds, America had triumphed. News of the victory swept through the Pacific, igniting hope and a fierce resolve. This battle, won through courage, sacrifice, and some combination of luck and divine intervention, had turned the tide of the war. America would not be disadvantaged in numbers or equipment again. 

The battle of Midway was not just a source of inspiration for America, but for Europe as well. The American’s victory signaled a shift in the war for all their allies. 

Have a great Veteran’s Day and a great Week 14.

Super High Fives

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

• The biggest of Super High fives to our local veterans. We are so grateful for this great and free nation and the willingness of the veterans who have sacrificed much for it.  
• A super high five to the Circleville Elementary PTO for putting together a fun Chili Cook Off and fall carnival last Thursday. Also thank you to everyone that came to support the event.
• A super high five to Morgan Hoyt for building a great FFA program. They already had several events this year with the Washington Invitational last week being the most recent. They have great participation and Mr. Hoyt is running a great program with great opportunities for students.

Other Super Information

• Latest Elementary Schools Design Draft
• Circleville Elementary School Virtual Walkthrough (Draft)
• Winter Sports Calendar (Updated)
• 2024-2025 School District Calendar

Super Weekly Schedule