Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Knights of Honor - January 2024

The Lake Norman Charter High School Knights of Honor program recognizes students for their personal progress in fulfilling the LNC Honor Code. The program allows faculty and staff to nominate students who demonstrate one of the four pillars: Honesty, Integrity, Respect, and Responsibility. 

Our recipients for January are: Freshmen Camren R. (Responsibility) & Charlie Z (Respect), Sophomore Michael G. (Respect), and Junior Channing S. (Responsibility). 

Our pictures:
C/o LNC Journalism
[Disclaimer: This picture was taken during Spirit Week, which was "Rhyme Without Reason" day.]


C/o LNC Journalism


Their respective nominations:

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

February 6th, 2024 Principal's Coffee Chat - Live Stream Archive

 Embedded is the archive from the February 6, 2024 Principal's Coffee Chat. 

Thank you for viewing,

CS

The opinions shared in this blog belong to Craig Smith and do not represent the school or district in which he works.

Monday, January 15, 2024

"Letter from Birmingham Jail": Honoring MLK at Mettle - F3 Highlands January 15, 2024


  • When: 01/15/2024
  • QIC: Powerball
  • The PAX: Disaster, Skipper, Lincoln, Sparky, Snowsuit, Pongo, Sugar, Greeter, Avalanche, Brinkley, Powerball

I had the opportunity to again continue the tradition of leading MLK Day Monday Mettle and shared the preblast via X.

Today marks the 38th anniversary of the federal holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday. The holiday was signed into law in 1983 and was first observed in 1986, serving as a tribute to Dr. King for advancing civil rights and social justice through non-violent protest.

Therefore, 11 High Impact Males aligned the beatdown with the opportunity to read aloud some of Dr. King’s literature, mostly from his “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, written in 1963.

Disclaimer provided and mosey to the clubhouse and back for…

WARMARAMA

Side-Straddle Hops (Jumping Jacks), IST, Hillbillies, Weed Pickers, Windmill, Plank-Jacks, Mountain Climbers, and Burpees.

THE THANG

Coupons (kettlebells or dumbbells) obtained:

  • Overhead Carries aka Riffle Carries (across parking lot and back)
  • Squats 
  • Shoulder Press
  • Upright Rows
  • Curls
  • Kettlebell Swings
  • Tricep Extensions (Skull Crushers)
  • Bent-over Rows
  • Briefcase Carries/Farmer Carries (across parking lot and back x 2; each side)

Followed by a mosey to the island and back. Rep numbers were 15 for Rounds 1-4; 10 reps for Speed Round 5. After each circuit, a PAX read a quote from an index card aloud to the group.

We were able to get through five circuits with little down time; we closed out with Low-Flutters and Mason Twist (aka American Hammers).

The following quotes from “Letter from Birmingham Jail” were utilized:

  • Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.
  • Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.
  • We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.
  • One has not only a legal, but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.
  • We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.
  • We who engage in nonviolent direct action are not the creators of tension. We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that is already alive. We bring it out in the open, where it can be seen and dealt with.
  • Will we be extremists for hate or will we be extremists for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice ― or will we be extremists for the cause of justice?
Plus, two more of my favorites:

  • “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”
  • “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

MOLESKIN:

  • It’s incredible to hear how the words written and spoken by Dr. King from 1963, 61 years ago, still resonate today. We have so much work to do with the ongoing battle for social justice, equality, and better opportunities for each and everyone. 
  • I hope the words shared today provide some opportunity for thought and reflection as we celebrate and honor the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior.
  • Thankful for this group to push me to be a better man and leader. Strong incorporation of all three F's today: Fitness, Fellowship, and Faith.

Iron Sharpens Iron

Powerball

aka Craig S. Smith

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

November 7th, 2023 Principal's Coffee Chat - Live Stream Archive

Embedded is the archive from the November 7, 2023 Principal's Coffee Chat. 

Thank you for viewing,

CS

The opinions shared in this blog belong to Craig Smith and do not represent the school or district in which he works.

Sunday, October 29, 2023

October 31, 2023: "Shadowed by the Principal" & #NoOfficeDay Live Blog

Updated 3:08 PM

On TuesdayOctober 31st, I am participating in a "Shadowed by the Principal" event. During the Lake Norman Charter Royal Golf Outing event earlier in the month, a silent auction item was available for families to bid on the opportunity to have their student shadowed by the Principal for an entire school day.

The winning bidder was the Hinesley Family...again; so the receiving student is Ben, a 12th Grader...again. Yes, this is the same student and family who successfully "won" the opportunity last year when Ben was a junior. Therefore, this is the first time I will be shadowing the same student over multiple years.

It made perfect sense to repeat the spooky day of a HS Student for Halloween.

Furthermore, I am utilizing this opportunity to double as a #noofficeday, which is a popular effort by school administrators to dedicate an entire school day out of their office.

This blog post is updated throughout the day to share my experiences:

Friday, October 27, 2023

Knights of Honor - October 2023

The Lake Norman Charter High School Knights of Honor program recognizes students for their personal progress in fulfilling the LNC Honor Code. The program allows faculty and staff to nominate students who demonstrate one of the four pillars: Honesty, Integrity, Respect, and Responsibility. 

Our recipients for October are: Freshman Wyatt H (Integrity), Sophomore Owen K. (Respect), Junior C.J. L. (Responsibility), and Senior Geethika V. (Responsibility). 

Our pictures:

C/o LNC Journalism


C/o LNC Journalism




Their respective nominations:

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

October 3rd, 2023 Principal's Coffee Chat - Live Stream Archive

Embedded is the archive from the October 3rd, 2023 Principal's Coffee Chat. 

Thank you for viewing,

CS

The opinions shared in this blog belong to Craig Smith and do not represent the school or district in which he works.

Thursday, September 28, 2023

Knights of Honor - September 2023

The Lake Norman Charter High School Knights of Honor program recognizes students for their personal progress in fulfilling the LNC Honor Code. The program allows faculty and staff to nominate students who demonstrate one of the four pillars: Honesty, Integrity, Respect, and Responsibility. 

Our recipients for September are: Sophomore Roshini S. (Responsibility), Juniors Clara P. (Responsibility) & Janson K. (Integrity), and Senior Hayden S. (Respect). 

Our picture:
C/o LNC Journalism 
[Disclaimer: This picture was taken during Spirit Week, which was "Tropical" for Seniors.]




Their respective nominations:

Monday, September 11, 2023

Educational Issues and Trends: Guest Post by Kevin Patterson


Guest post by Kevin Patterson, Science (Physics) Teacher

Lake Norman Charter High School
Kevin is in his 10th year at LNC and 29th year teaching overall. He was named the Lake Norman Charter High School Teacher of the Year for 2022-2023. This essay was included in the Teacher of the Year portfolio.

Educational Issues and Trends

by Kevin Patterson

What do you consider to be the major issues facing public education today? 

Tuesday, September 5, 2023