Lovejoy High School Parents and Friends,

" Death isn't the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside of us while we live." - Norman Cousins

Imagination. John Lennon wrote a famous song about it, Walt Disney perfected it, and far too many of us forget to use it. Above my desk in my office I have the words "Imagine" to remind me how important it is to dream of the possibilities.

I know it is hard to believe, but every once in a while I would get "redirected" at school. One of the reasons was for being a bit talkative (now imagine that) and another often was for my expression of some of my creative ideas I would often give what I saw as “insightful” solutions to the problems presented to us. Let’s just say that some did not see my creativity quite through the same lens that I did. Many would call it day-dreaming, some would call it inattentive, and some would say it was being difficult. I just saw it as me.

I have always been inspired by those who look at something well beyond the surface and see beyond the obvious or even limiting. Becoming a Disney Imagineer is a dream of mine. I am sure their lives are stressful in all their own ways, but how cool is it that their job is to think beyond what is possible and make it possible. It is so obvious in the every detail you see when you visit one of their parks. I think the most successful parents, teachers and people are those who inspire imagination rather than extinguish it. Maybe my own personal experiential bias, but far too many of us missed a recess or two too many because we were using our imagination. Now, don’t get me wrong, there is a difference between accountability for not being responsible and for being imaginative, but that’s for a whole other e-mail.

Growing up my brother and I loved to create competitions (I know, I know, imagine that?). We had all kinds of awesome games- roof ball, hand tennis, gut ball (don't ask, still don't want my mom to know about that one), mud crushers and a ton more. We loved it. My mom is extremely artistic and creative. My dad is extremely encouraging and strategic. It became an incredible combination and cultivating ground for our imagination. I feel it has served us quite well. You should see some of the games we create now…

It is imperative that we be constant encouragers of our kid’s imagination.

It is critical that we don't lose ours.

When is the last time you imagined the possibilities in your life? (I don’t want to hear the too old excuse)

Would the people closest to you describe you as imaginative?

When is the last time you "thought out of the box" in creating a solution?

Just imagine if you did.

P.S. What a powerful opportunity we have through an organization here on campus to cultivate your student’s imagination. It is a club that we are starting here at the high school called Destination Imagination. I've attached a presentation about the group for you, but Destination Imagination (DI) is   is a fun and engaging program that teaches students three essential skills: Creativity, Teamwork, and Problem Solving. It has been a group that is at the elementary and middle school level at Lovejoy, but this year we are going to do it at the high school. The great thing also is that you as the adults can get involved as well.

Come out Tuesday, October 6th @ 5:00 pm, in the Lecture Hall at LHS to hear all about your student and your opportunity to expand your "imagination".

Proud to be a Leopard!

Michael Goddard, Ed. D.

Principal- Lovejoy High School

Lovejoy Independent School District

(469) 742-8704

http://lhs.lovejoyisd.net/

"The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it."- Michelangelo