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- Blog: Song of the Saber
Song of the Saber
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Can't Hardly Wait
Posted by Superintendent Gary Anger on 8/6/2018 7:00:00 AMLights that flash in the evening,
Through a hole in the drapes
I'll be home when I'm sleeping
I can't hardly wait
I can't wait. Hardly wait.The song, Can’t Hardly Wait came across my playlist the other day and I immediately connected it to how I feel about the upcoming school year, “I can’t hardly wait”.
I was, and still am, a big fan of the somewhat legendary local band the Replacements when they came out on the Twin Cities scene in the 80’s. They truly are some of the pioneers of what ended up being called alternative music. I caught several of their raucous shows in my day, but underneath all of this I identified catchy tunes and amazing songwriting by Paul Westerberg and company.
The first year of a superintendency is all about figuring things out. It is a constant practice of asking people questions like, “Why are we doing things this way? Who is in charge of that? What if we tried this?” “How does the community feel about this?” and so many other questions. Thanks to the help of our students, staff and community, you all helped me find answers to incredibly important questions. I felt like we had an amazing year together in 2017-18 and made great strides in so many ways.
The second year of a superintendency is when a superintendent can really bring out the mission of the school district and further put their own personal stamp on the strategic direction of the school district. “I can’t hardly wait” to fulfill our mission this year which reads, “In partnership with our community, we will educate lifelong learners to succeed in a diverse world”. It is a powerful Mission Statement when you think about it, as it reflects the many partnerships we are building in the Shakopee Schools and the diversity that is making our community stronger.
The current excitement in the Shakopee Schools is palpable with so many things coming up this school year. Obviously, the opening of the Academies of Shakopee at our high school and the completion of our construction project is at the top of the list. I cannot attend a meeting anywhere in the metro without people from other districts asking about the Academies. The thousands of hours of work put in by our community on this collective effort to benefit our students is finally coming to fruition (thank you!). We also have many exciting learning opportunities that will be provided for our PreK-8th grade students through our increased efforts to partner with our opportunity-rich community.
The 2018-19 school year is going to be our best ever. My focus is on our present and future for our students. “I can’t hardly wait” to make this year the best ever in the Shakopee Schools! -
R.O.C.K. in the USA
Posted by Gary Anger on 7/2/2018 10:00:00 AMI felt it appropriate to make a Patriotic/4th of July reference and write about a song with a USA theme his month. I could have chosen several contemporary patriotic standards, but I prefer to stay with my rock-themed songs. I also like to use artists I’ve actually seen and I had the chance to see Johnny Cougar way back in the day when he was rocking out “I Need a Lover”. This was well before his big hits like “Pink Houses” and his eventual transformation back to his real name John Mellencamp.
The song, R.O.C.K. in the USA is a tribute to the many voices of diverse artists who made American music what it was in 1985 when the song came out. References to Jackie Wilson, Martha Reeves and James Brown were clearly a tribute to the beauty of their artistry and the power of diversity in making our music world, and our country, a better place to be. The music industry in the USA seems to be one place in which diversity has continued to evolve and grow. Of course, there is still work to do such as recognizing the excellence of more female voice in our music (ex. Grammy snubs for nominating female artists), but we continue embracing a variety of voices and sounds in American music.
I’d like to think that the lyrics I shared above are happening in Shakopee right now. We are a community and school district who are growing in diversity and hearing a variety of voices which are making us better. These voices are from different cultures, family structures, orientations, religions, various disabilities and countless other differences. But much like in the music world, all of the voices we are hearing in Shakopee are making us better. Embracing who we are and sitting down with others in our community to find out who they are makes us better. This will really be the basis of our equity work in the Shakopee Schools moving forward. Nothing fancy, simply learning about our students and families so we can better teach and learn. What could possibly be more patriotic than that? I think we can say we will R.O.C.K. in the USA with all of you. -
Closer to Free
Posted by Interim Superintendent Gary Anger on 6/4/2018 10:00:00 AMCloser to Free
The Bodeans
Everybody wants respect
Just a little bit
And everybody needs a chance
Once in a while
Everybody wants to be
Closer to Free
In the early 80’s the BoDeans emerged out of Waukesha, Wisconsin. Their music defined what I would call a Midwestern, heartland rock. The harmonies of Kurt and Sammy were so infectious and they sang with an intensity and passion that seemed to define who we are in the Midwest. I’ve seen them many times through the years and the Bodeans still play many shows in the region. But, for me, it’s not quite the same since Sammy left the band.
The song Closer to Free emerged as a hit and grew in popularity when it was used for a tv show. The lyrics hit close to home as we near completion of the school year. As our seniors leave us to find new adventures, we trust we have given them a “chance” through the many opportunities in Shakopee schools. Now, as they graduate, I truly feel like they are “closer to free”.
It’s not only our seniors that need respect, a chance and the ability to be closer to free. I’m amazed by the work of our staff members and how they do great things every day to give our students respect, a chance to show what they can do and opportunities to show their independence as learners to be “Closer to Free”. By doing this, our teachers also gain the respect of their students and all of us.
We all deserve to be “Closer to Free” and I’m extremely proud of all the ways we have lived this during the 2017-18 school year. Congratulations seniors and best wishes in your future. Thank you to all of our staff, community members and especially our students for working so hard to be “Closer to Free”.
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Good Friend
Posted by Interim Superintendent Gary Anger on 5/2/2018 8:00:00 AMGood Friend
Cloud Cult
When I'm burning down and I'm all stressed out
When I'm underground.
Life is a playground, but it takes a lot of work.
So you better learn to love, or it'll tear you apart
'Cuz in the end, we are measured by the size of our heart so we can't do this alone.
One of my family’s favorite local bands is Cloud Cult. You may recognize some of their music from local commercials for the U of M and Blue Cross Blue Shield. We love their artistry as they intertwine a variety of instruments into their music. We also appreciate the two painters utilizing rotating canvases during each performance. It is quite a sight to see. We have seen them many times. Most recently, with the Minnesota Orchestra. Their leader has taken life tragedies and turned them into messages of hope through song.
Good Friend is a song about the power of friendships and our need to have friends. Life is hard enough without having a friend by your side. Whether it is any of us adults or our students, life is so much better with people to love and people who love us.
In Shakopee schools, we speak often about making sure every student has multiple positive relationships with adults at school. Research shows students who have multiple positive relationships at school outperform students who do not.
I personally try to model the line “we are measured by the size of our heart” and I make sure that my interactions with our students are led by a smile and hello. It’s amazing how powerful a smile can be and you can also tell that just by saying hello, a connection is being made.
The video for Good Friend is set on a playground and is all about seeking a friend. I encourage you to seek friends in your daily interactions, and to reach out to our students to befriend them whenever you can. You will be amazed at the impact you will have. Life is better with friends and friendships!
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Learning to Fly
Posted by Interim Superintendent Gary Anger on 4/13/2018Learning to Fly
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
“I'm learning to fly around the clouds
But, what goes up must come down
I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing”
The passing of Tom Petty was a sad moment for me as I have always loved his music because it followed my path of life. I’ve always felt The Heartbreakers were musically one of the most underrated bands of our generation.
The beautiful song, Learning to Fly, connects in so many ways as I lead Shakopee schools. When you start a job such as superintendent, you try to start “flying” even though you may not know what that means. The “wings” I have leaned on this year have been all of you: staff, community members, school board and of course, our students. By paying attention to what you all need, I’ve been able to determine what I need to do to serve you. This has helped us fly in so many ways this year.
I also connect this song to what our students face every single day. Every student comes to school with different challenges, strengths and needs. Then, we do our best to help them prepare for future jobs and opportunities that will look nothing like the jobs we thought about when we were growing up. It’s really a beautiful thing to be a part of something so special to watch young minds grow and see our students “fly” through the countless opportunities we have in our schools. Just as all of us, our students will have some ups and downs, but we need to keep helping them “fly” into their futures.
As your interim superintendent, I have the unique opportunity and honor to fly around our school district and witness teachers and students “Learning to Fly” every day. We are learning together and there’s nothing more rewarding.
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Strength
Posted by Interim Superintendent Gary Anger on 3/9/2018As U2 was emerging from Dublin, Ireland in the early 80’s, a very similar Welch band, The Alarm, was catching my ear as well. I was and still am moved by the compelling lyrics produced by these two bands. While U2 obviously went on to become one of the biggest bands of our generation, The Alarm never hit it too big in the U.S., but members are still around playing their powerful songs.
In light of the painful school violence and threats occurring of late nationwide, I refer to the lyrics of Strength, by The Alarm, for this month’s Song of the Saber.
“Give me love
Give me hope
Give me strength
Give me someone to live for”
Give me love
As educators and parents, we have a duty to show our kids we love them every day. In my time in Shakopee Schools, I have learned very quickly that we all lead with love when it comes to our kids. By loving our kids, we will always know when they feel unsafe or afraid and thus, we can work together to figure out what’s up and address it.
Give me hope
I do have hope that our politicians and civic leaders will do what is best for the security and safety of our schools and students. The students of Parkland, Florida have emboldened my hope through their actions and advocacy. I personally do not know the solution, but I do know it resides within collaboration and common sense. There are so many examples of strong leaders standing up to do what is right in the history of our country and this issue will some day be another example of that.
Give me strength
Our safety and security plans in Shakopee schools are very strong. They are strong because they were put together by community experts including our Police Department, Fire Department, County Sheriff, school leaders, teachers, community members and school board. The plans were well put together, are practiced regularly and will be revisited again and again. We know our plans are not infallible, but just the fact that we are collaborating to increase student safety shows the strength of the Shakopee community.
Give me someone to live for
We live for our students in our schools. We all know that students cannot learn if they do not feel safe. This is why safety and security will always be a prominent issue in Shakopee Schools. Our discussions regarding school safety and security did not begin after the recent incidents, they merely intensified. The fact that so many of you reached out to me recently with questions and ideas to increase safety shows me how much you care and I thank you for that very much.
I wish I had the answers for all of us in the U.S. to not only reduce, but eliminate violence in and around schools. I do know that the answers lie within a mindset of love, hope and strength. We all know who we live for in our schools. We live for our students.
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Give a Little Bit
Posted by Interim Superintendent Gary Anger on 2/6/2018My life changed three months ago in ways I could never imagine. What I thought was just back pain, turned out to be an aggressive form of cancer that needed immediate treatment. I was forced to abruptly take leave from a job, that I absolutely loved, due to the heavy chemotherapy I needed.
Believe it or not, it was not the cancer that changed my life. It was the reaction I received from all of you, your sons and daughters, and the Shakopee Community (as well as the communities of Bloomington, Zumbrota, Mazeppa, Eagan, Apple Valley and Cottage Grove, among others). I was embraced with a level of love and support that I never knew existed. I received around 10,000 notes, cards, banners, and drawings. I received messages of prayer, faith and support. Every single day I would look in the mailbox and find something from you that lifted me up.
I began my career as an educator with a vow to touch lives and to build relationships to serve students. You have helped me understand just how fulfilling my career has been in that I have been successful in that relationship building. You have helped me realize that I have indeed touched lives and that there is no greater success that an educator can have.
I chose the lyrics for this message not just because I adore the song, but because it has always connected with me. I have felt such amazing love from all of you when I have recently needed it the most. I know that I have been an educator who loves serving students and I promise to lead with love as I serve the students of Shakopee. Every ounce of effort I give to all of you and your kids has been reciprocated tenfold and for that all I can say is thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Give a Little Bit by Supertramp
Give a little bit
Give a little bit of your love to me
Give a little bit
I’ll give a little bit of my love to you
There’s so much that we need to share
So send a smile, and show you care
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Stand Up and Be Strong
Posted by Interim Superintendent Gary Anger on 10/2/2017Hello staff, parents and community members,
Thank you for reading my first blog post as interim superintendent of Shakopee Public Schools! In trying to find a clever way to introduce you to my blog, I thought I would take advantage of my love for music. Thus, you will see a song lyric incorporated into each blog to help set the theme and message. As we near completion of our first month of the 2017-18 school year, my message is clear through the lyrics of one of my favorite local Minnesota bands, Soul Asylum. It is time for all of us to Stand Up and Be Strong as a school district.
In my short time here it has become very clear that our schools have much to be proud of. Incredibly talented students, dedicated educators, hard-working support staff, caring families and a supportive community all representative of the excellence that is Shakopee schools.
The opportunities within our schools are endless and I truly believe that we will soon be looked upon as one of the most innovative and effective school districts in Minnesota. Education in the 21st century has changed and it is imperative that our schools are leading the way.
The future of our district is incredibly bright with all of the aforementioned people working together, combined with programming that prepares our students for the opportunities of the present and future.
Our recent history in Shakopee schools has been marked with some dark clouds and it is important that we recognize what we have gone through. However, it is time to dust ourselves off and focus on what we can control and that is doing our best to provide the best education we can for our students. I personally have little control over decisions that were made in my office in the past, but I take responsibility for every decision that is made here going forth.
I played Stand Up and Be Strong as staff exited our Districtwide Back to School meeting in August. Yes, I love Soul Asylum and the song, but more importantly, this was an intentional message. It is time for us to move forward. Many of you have helped our schools Stand Up and Be Strong already, through your collaboration, kindness, and positivity. Thank you. Myself, I am going to hop into my car as I drive to various school events and blare Stand Up and Be Strong while I sing along. Why? Because I owe it to all of you, but especially our students in Shakopee!
Stand Up and Be Strong by Soul Asylum
Nothing can take away from you
What you take and what you've been through
Stand up and be strong
Stand up and be strong
It won't take long
You can't go wrong
Stand up and be strong