For many years, I came up with a theme statement that set the tone for the school year ahead. Most of the time, the comments were sarcastic, built on the frustrations of the past. One of my favorites was "Paperwork is more important than common sense."

As I moved to Elementary from Middle School, I stopped doing that. This year, I am starting the year at Middle School again and a theme statement came to mind. (I didn't set out make one, never have, it is an old phrase that just popped into my head.) "How can we do it better?" I know, that's a question, not a statement, but this question will guide everything I do this year. For those things that went right last year...How can I do it better? For those things that went wrong last year...How can I do it better?

Of course, and I have told my principal this, when communication comes from the office, my students will be under the directive to ask "How can we do it better?" and see if they can find a way to improve the communications coming from the office. For their own work, they will be asked to consider this question: "Is this the best I can do, or can I do it better?"

There is a lesson for life here, though...No longer will I accept "that'll do" or "it's good enough for government work" from myself or others. The commitment is not only to do the best I can, but to do better. Maybe it's the Olympics that inspired me....