I've Got 99 Problems, But A %$#@ Isn't One

Did that title get your attention? I hope so!
I am going to steal a line from Jay Z but replace a word- I've got 99 problems but a TEST isn't one.

It is that time of year again when our students are required to take a test to show how much they have learned at Estes. This test doesn't scare me because I believe we have some of the best students, teachers, support staff and parents in the state of Kentucky.  Estes students have been working extremely hard on a growth mindset which means their learning isn't a fixed trait, but learning can be improved with dedication and hard work. I have been at Estes for 4 years and I can honestly say that I have seen students working harder this year than I have in the previous years!
In life there are no quick fixes and I don't believe in band-aid fixes. Our teachers have a not only done a wonderful job teaching growth mindset, but they are also doing a tremendous job of teaching grit. I am so proud of the passion and perseverance our students have been showing. When I first arrived at Estes, I didn't see grit. I saw students who didn't believe they could do the work and they didn't care if they did the work or not. This year I am seeing pride in their work and that is because of their passion and perseverance. Are our students perfect? No, but we don't expect perfect students! We like for our students to fail and learn from their failures. Yes, you did read that last statement correctly. No one is perfect and we don't expect your child to be perfect.
 This test will not determine how far our students have come in the 4 to 5 years they have been at Estes. Our teachers and students have been working on overcoming many obstacles that have been placed in their way since the first day they stepped foot in Estes.
Like I said, "I've got 99 problems but a test isn't one."
Here is a list of real problems that a school like ours has to deal with:

• hunger
• sleep deprivation
• drug and alcohol use in the home
• emotional and behavioral issues 
• loss of a job
• loss of living quarters
• lack of positive role models
• lack of health care
• generational poverty
• students exposed to domestic violence
• exposure to criminal activity

I could go on, but I am not because at Estes we don't like to make excuses-we like to solve problems! Our students are our lives. We live and breathe to help our students overcome the obstacles put in front of them. We know that anytime things can happen to anyone (including us) and we know that the purpose of life is to have a life of purpose. We want our students to overcome all the obstacles that are put before them and we are here to supply the knowledge and skills to allow them to do just that. So excuse me if this test doesn't scare me because I know what our students have overcome and what they are capable of. Our Estes students are capable of great things because they exhibit passion and perseverance.
On May 4th we will be ready for the test, but will the test be ready for us!