Tiyul with the Faculty

Our faculty recently took a day off from teaching to take a tiyul together. Reminiscent of Steven Covey's 7th Habit (viz. Sharpen the Saw, see here or here) our entire staff took some time to sharpen our saws. After a general faculty meeting and Torah learning (I'll talk about that in future post), we went on a trip, together. There were a few amazing things that came out from this amazing today. I'll mention a few now and come back to others later, G-d willing.

1) First of all, the fact that we cancelled classes just to have a trip is incredible. It says a lot about the school here that they are willing to cancel classes so that the faculty can have a day to themselves. The time together, the bonding, the teamwork all paid off even though we received a few negative parents from a few parents ("Why am I paying money so that the faculty can bond??"..... I would imagine that in schools where the parents pay more than $10,000 a year for school, there would be even more negative feedback.). The teachers learned (if they did not know already) that the administration cares about them, invests in them, wants them to feel like a team, wants them to succeed.

2) Everyone came on the trip. Everyone. Teachers, administrators, resource room, specialty teachers, gym teachers... all came. And more than that: the custodian, the secretaries, the head of the Board of Directors.... everyone. Teamwork at its finest. All were included. That speaks volumes.

3) As mentioned before (here and here), it is great to take a tiyul - with the entire faculty - where the Tanch is your guide. That speaks volumes too.