A New School Year of Possibilities

Last week’s newsletter talked about the importance of educators and valuing what they bring to the education process on a daily basis. This week, we are going to focus on the other important group in education-the students. Today is the first official day of school for most of the schools in the area. The start of a new school year always carries a unique kind of energy—many are excited to get back to class and continue their education, while others are dreading the loss of freedom they had this summer.

For high school students, it’s more than just another year; it’s a chance to write a new chapter in their story. Each year of high school comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities, but one thing remains constant: the potential to grow, learn, and discover more about themselves and the world around them while putting together plans for the future.

I don’t know about you but I loved high school: we had amazing teachers, small class sizes so everyone knew everyone else, and a wide variety of activities to participate in. Obviously sports were a big part of high school for me but other groups like FFA (I was the president my senior year!) and speech and drama (I was a lead in one of the plays!) contributed to a fantastic overall experience. Yes, I had good grades but the activities helped keep me focused in the classroom and made the 4 years of high school fly by.

1. Start with Intention
Set goals—both big and small—for what you want to accomplish this year. They don’t have to be only academic; maybe it’s joining a new club, reaching out to someone new, or pushing yourself outside your comfort zone.

2. Stay Curious
Ask questions, seek to understand, and don’t be afraid of not knowing. Learning isn’t just about what’s in the textbook—it’s about discovering new passions and ways of thinking.

3. Try New Things
High school is one of the best times to explore. Join a team, sign up for a club, audition for the play, or try out a new class. Every new experience helps you grow and teaches you something about yourself. You never know what hidden talents or lifelong passions you might discover. Participating in speech and plays in high school gave me confidence to speak in front of people-something that became quite important when I got into teaching!

4. Learn from Activities
Even if you’re not an athlete, the lessons from sports and participating in activities apply to everyone:

• Discipline matters. Success comes from the habits you build daily.

• Teamwork wins. Surround yourself with people who push you to be better, and be that kind of teammate to others.

• Resilience is key. Just like bouncing back from a tough loss, you’ll face setbacks this year. What matters most is how you respond.

5. Balance Counts
Work hard, but make time for friends, family, and fun. Balance is a skill you’ll use long after high school. It is going to go fast-having people around you pick you up when you are down and maybe humble you a bit when you achieve a lot of success-are a key to a successful high school career!

6. Be Kind
The way you treat people—friends, classmates, teachers—becomes part of your legacy. A little kindness can go a long way. All of us adults have experienced class reunions where you reunite with classmates from long ago. Everyone you encounter is going to have stories about you-most of them will come from the relationship you had with them and how you treated them! Be the better person whenever you can-it’s the best choice for now and for your future!

For parents, the new year for your student is also a season of possibility. It’s a reminder that while high school goes by quickly, it’s a crucial time for guiding, encouraging, and cheering on your child. This journey isn’t just about grades and activities—it’s about shaping character, building resilience, and helping young people find their place in the world.

I was blessed to have incredible support in school from my parents….they showed up to all of my activities, cheered when I succeeded, comforted when I failed, and overall made sure it was my journey and not theirs. It’s not that they didn’t give advice when needed…it was building accountability in me and making sure that I took responsibility for every action I took.

Since I had a few pieces of advice for high school students starting out their year today, here are a few thoughts for parents-based on the experience I observed with my parents as well as parents of students and athletes I have had. Supporting a high school student comes with its own unique challenges. They’re not children anymore, but they’re not fully independent adults either. So, here are a few reminders

Encourage, Don’t Control. Let your child make choices and even mistakes—those are valuable learning moments. Don’t feel you have to fix everything for your kids-experience is a great teacher!

Listen More Than You Talk. Sometimes what they need most isn’t advice, but simply a safe space to be heard.

Celebrate the Small Wins. Every accomplishment, no matter how small, deserves recognition. Progress often comes one step at a time. They may not win every race or be at the top of their class, but making gains and improving every day needs to be celebrated.

Keep Perspective. Grades and performance success matter, but who your child becomes as a person matters even more. Role model the behaviors and expectations you have for your kids

As the school year begins, remember that each day brings new opportunities to learn, grow, and build relationships. For students, it’s a chance to discover more about who they are and who they want to become. For parents, it’s an opportunity to support, encourage, and celebrate the progress along the way. The year won’t be perfect, but it doesn’t have to be—it just needs to be a step forward. I hope students and parents approach it with hope, energy, and the belief that good things are ahead. Good luck to all on a successful 2025-26 school year and have a great week!

Coach K