February 15, 2008

Happy Friday to all of you. We’ve reached the mid-point of February already—hard to believe!

I know the weather has been a challenge and wreaked havoc with a lot of schedules and events. But we’ll regroup and pull it all together—we’ve done so many times before. I appreciate all of your efforts to provide continuity of instruction for our students. When I see some of the devastation the weather has caused around our country, I’m just grateful we’re all safe. And I’m grateful to have had two days in a row without any delays or cancellations!

Last Friday I had the opportunity to speak to the Leadership Champaign County class about our programs and expansion in Champaign County. I’m always glad to have an opportunity to spread the good news about OHP, and it seems I’m getting more and more help these days! Our Triad board member, Brad Wallace, also spoke to the group as part of a panel of school board members. In addition to sharing about Triad, he took the opportunity to commend our school and our staff for the great opportunities we provide students. Thanks, Brad, for being such a great ambassador for OHP!

On Wednesday morning, I was “Day Chair” for Leadership Logan County; and the topic was local government and leadership. In addition to a session on Strategic Leadership, the class heard from County Commissioner Jack Reser and Mayor Adam Brannon. Darn it if it didn’t happen again—Ohio Hi-Point and the benefits we provide to the community popped up in both of their presentations! (And honestly, I don’t think it was just because I was sitting there!) I hope you all realize what a “local treasure” our school is perceived as in our communities. The value that your hard work brings to our students is recognized!

As we’ve just passed Valentine’s Day and are headed toward President’s Day, here’s a little trivia related to those two holidays. Since Valentine’s Day is the day we give our hearts, do you know how many times the human heart beats in a day? And here are 10 pieces of presidential trivia:

1. Who was the first president to be photographed?
2. Who didn’t learn to read until he was 17?
3. Who built a swimming pool and a movie theater in the White House?
4. Who was ambidextrous?
5. Who was president for only 32 days?
6. Who ordered the White House’s first bathtub?
7. Who had the White House’s first telephone?
8. Who held his wedding in the White House?
9. Who let his horse graze on the White House lawn?
10. Who gave his pet mockingbird free reign of the indoor air space?

Think about those over your long weekend, and I’ll give you the answers next Friday. Have a great weekend!