SUPER MONDAY

A motivational and informational morning message from Superintendent Willis

Week 25 ~ February 10th, 2025

Super Monday Message

Gilbert Chesterton was a famous English author and philosopher. He published dozens of books, hundreds of poems, and thousands of essays. His words may not inspire you to jump high or run fast, but hopefully to be very thoughtful. I would like to share one of his brief parables that is used by many to teach a variety of lessons. I’ll call this parable Chesterton’s Lamp-Post and it reads…

“Suppose that a great commotion arises in the street about something, let us say a lamp-post, which many influential persons desire to pull down. A grey-clad monk, who is the spirit of the Middle Ages, is approached upon the matter, and begins to say, in the arid manner of the Schoolmen, “Let us first of all consider, my brethren, the value of Light. If Light be in itself good—” At this point he is somewhat excusably knocked down. All the people make a rush for the lamp-post, the lamp-post is down in ten minutes, and they go about congratulating each other on their un-mediaeval practicality. But as things go on they do not work out so easily. Some people have pulled the lamp-post down because they wanted the electric light; some because they wanted old iron; some because they wanted darkness, because their deeds were evil. Some thought it not enough of a lamp-post, some too much; some acted because they wanted to smash municipal machinery; some because they wanted to smash something. And there is war in the night, no man knowing whom he strikes. So, gradually and inevitably, to-day, to-morrow, or the next day, there comes back the conviction that the monk was right after all, and that all depends on what is the philosophy of Light. Only what we might have discussed under the gas-lamp, we now must discuss in the dark.”

The lamp post can be almost anything, as well as the light and the monk. The parable does not necessarily condemn the tearing down of the lamp post but the lack of debate about it. Everyone can be united in a cause and yet their motives all be different. One of the many morals of the story is the great value in discussing ideas. When we have great discussion, we understand motives and values better. When we understand motives and values better, we tend to work together better and with more purpose. Be thoughtful and have a great Week 25!

Super High Fives

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

• A super high five to our school community councils. We have a great group of parents and staff that serve on the council for each school to improve school services. We thank them for their great work. The council members at each school are….
  • Oscarson Elementary: Emily MacGill, Heather Fautin, Cassie Knowles, Shana Shields, Mckell Randall, Shannon Gleave, and Hunter Fautin
  • Circleville Elementary: Kaylie Barney, Darian Price, Megan Lee, Marci Pollock, and Russ Lee
  • Piute High School: Kali Gleave, Mekeisia Westwood, Geordin Gass, Heidi Sudweeks, Hillary Morgan, Eric Jessen, Shauna Bagley, and Paul James
• A super high five to our great preschool teacher Lisa Allan. She recently finished adding additional credentials to her teaching license and is working hard to make a great preschool program. We’re grateful to have a preschool program where so many places do not have those services.

Other Super Information

• School District Mission Statement & Slogan Survey
• Latest Elementary School Design (CES) (OES) Updated
• Winter Sports Calendar
• Spring Sports Calendar
• 2024-2025 School District Calendar
• Draft 2025-2026 School District Calendar

Super Weekly Schedule