Tahoma Sr HS Maple Valley Wa Homecoming Week 2009

THS homecoming is this week and there is lots going on in our school. Today was our annual coronation assembly and I was excited to see what the staff and students put together for the community. This year’s theme is Harry Potter. Each year our activities coordinator and a horde of student and parent volunteers transform our gym into something from another world. This year was no different; the coronation assembly went well and the students did a great job decorating and scripting the coronation. Our staff was well represented in the production as well. Ann Hobson and Mike Jackson were excellent MC’s and Mr. Hagg made a great Haggert from the Harry Potter series. All three teachers made their characters come to life.

For me, the students’ musical performances put this year’s coronation over the top. I told our activity coordinator, Dave Peters, and several students that this was my favorite homecoming assembly in the nine years I have worked at THS. After reflecting on why I enjoyed this assembly so much I realized that all the effort and energy I saw displayed today was an affirmation that we are moving in the right direction as we try to improve the levels of respect, engagement and relationships.

Two student musical groups performed together today and I feel like the musicians were a great example of the “One School” message and initiative students and staff are working toward this year. "Afterward" is a rock/punk band and "Knuckles Impact" is a rap group that at first glance does not seem to have much in common besides a love for music. Last year both groups performed separately and did so very well but this year we were surprised with a collaborative effort. Though the groups taste in music and other interests are very different, they took the time to develop relationships that allowed them to take something that was already good and make it even better. I really appreciated the risk they took and the energy they committed to homecoming week.

Tomorrow is Toga day and we have the Fall Fling celebration to support homecoming week. I am looking forward to the staff Sumo wrestling matches that are going to take place in the name of “One School”.

Thank you to the graphic arts students that worked on the "One School" logo at the top of this post.