Dear East Families,

I can’t believe it is November already! The school year is flying by and before you know it we will be on Christmas vacation.  I think part of the reason the school year passes by so quickly is that we often get used to our routines.  If you ask anyone that knows me well, they would definitely tell you that I am a creature of habit and routines.  So, I’ve challenged myself to try new things and get out of my comfort zone once in a while and this personal challenge resulted in the purchase of my first electric food smoker.  I love cooking and preparing meals for my family and I am always interested in the amazing foods that my friends prepare with their smokers. One would expect that this purchase would make me very happy, yet it actually caused me some anxiety! What if the food didn’t turn out? What if I overcooked it? What if I undercooked it? The uncertainty surrounding the use of the smoker actually caused me some stress. Then, I remembered a concept I learned in one of my university classes which stated that you can’t experience personal growth without feeling some anxiety. In order to learn and grow as individuals, you have to step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself.  I think this is very important to keep in mind for our students, parents, and teachers.  Learning new academic skills can be challenging, and perhaps even stressful, yet that is part of the growth process and the educational journey.

Have a wonderful November and stay healthy!

Mr. Chomlak