The Lessons I Learned From "Annie"

I recently had the privilege and the challenge of being a member of the cast of Annie. Live theater is magical. This show was no exception. As many of you know, the Annie story is one of optimism.  It’s upbeat. It’s forward looking.  It’s fun and it delivers a strong message with which people resonate.  As a cast member I not only heard this message but became caught up in helping deliver it.

If you have been a performer in a live production you understand the feeling, the vibe, and the buzz that occurs as a group of near strangers come together, and bond as the chaos of first rehearsal matures and grows into a show. It is a powerful and nearly palpable atmosphere and experience. 

There are always lessons to be learned from any group activity.  The Stage One, Inc.  Annie cast was no exception.  About half the cast were children – mostly young girls around 10 or 12.  After all, the show does feature young girl orphans.  Closing in on 69 myself, I was nearly the eldest actor on the stage.  Of course I was joined by many other adults. These fellow adult cast members were great but it was from the kids that I learned the most.  As I rehearsed and performed with these kids I was stuck by so many things; lessons we adults would do well to emulate.  

First and foremost were energy and engagement.  These kids wanted to rehearse and perform. They were thrilled to be a part of something bigger than themselves. They threw themselves into their characters and created new personalities.  They participated in long rehearsals and repeatedly worked their lines and blocking. I never heard complaints from them.

Next comes common courtesy. These kids proactively and respectfully greeted us old geezers and all cast members. I heard please and thank-you often.  This is so refreshing in today’s world where we are bombarded with disrespect, name calling seems to be accepted, and there is a dearth of courtesy. Cast members never descended to these levels.

This one, coachability, is huge, especially in a play.  A Director’s job is to guide, coach, make suggestions, and correct. It has been my experience in community theater that many adult actors seem to think they know more than the Director.  They bristle against and resist redirection, suggestion and correction resulting in much wasted time for all concerned.  Not these kids. Rather, they appeared pleased to have coaching that would make their performances stronger.  When redirected, their typical reply was, “Thank you”. Then I observed them immediately incorporating those directions into their performances.

Hard work and focus are such a great combination and, boy, did these kids bring this.  They knew their lines early on.  They knew their dance moves. They knew their blocking.  None of this happens without dedication, focus, and plain old effort. 

Adaptability had a great role also.  Theater demands constant adaptability as rehearsal spaces change, musical accompaniment varies, a fellow actor inadvertently jumps several lines, the Director moves in a new creative direction, or your carefully positioned props get moved.  These kids flowed with and even thrived on these challenges.

Annie kids actively practiced support for and affirmation of each other and all cast members.  Many were the high-5’s, the thumbs-up, the nice-jobs that greeted fellow performers as they exited the stage after completing a scene or as they passed each other in the wings.  Often I would hear the concerned query, “How’s it going tonight? Are you doing okay?”  Such caring, such concern.

That’s what happens when we get out of ourselves and participate in something bigger than we are.  Maybe it’s a play, maybe it’s a work group, a church, a community.  It’s that sense of unity and purpose that we are so missing.  And there I was, sitting in the wings at JPAC, being taught these so basic values by kids.

After all - Kids Matter

Getting Along

I don’t know about you, but it seems like everywhere I go I hear people lamenting the lack of civility in the world.  Unfortunately, flagrant examples of adults behaving badly literally assault us daily.  Even more unfortunate, in my mind, is that we experience this negativity, this lack of respect for each other, and basic dearth of common courtesy right here in Milton.  I find it embarrassing and disheartening.

On the other hand, I look at our kids and my spirit soars.  In every one of our school buildings we have a majority of kids behaving in very positive ways that we adults should emulate.  How do I know? Because every day our kids are caught doing things right – caught by their classmates, their teachers and other staff members – and then they are called-out, recognized, and celebrated for the way they go about their day and treat others.

The School District of Milton is clear in its expectations of students.  You will see these words (or variations on them) everywhere throughout the District – RESPONSIBLE / RESPECTFUL / SAFE / & KIND.  Some buildings, like Northside, have additional guides:

S afe                                                             C ooperation

O rganized                                                    P articipation

A ccountable                                                 R espect

R espectful

They are great guidelines but what do the words really mean? How would you articulate the behavior expected by these guidelines for your own everyday life?  Our kids clearly know.  Let me provide some examples.  Recently I had the privilege of attending a Superstar Lunch at Northside. Principals Jon Lyon and Julie Musgrove hold these lunches monthly and separate lunches for each grade level.  As I arrived for the fourth grade lunch I found the Large Group Room filled with students along with parents and grandparents.  Everyone was brimming with pride and anticipation.  Jon and Julie began to introduce the students and showcase the actions – the daily behavior – that brought them honor.  This is what I heard:

• ·         Works through conflict in a fair & kind way
• ·         Demonstrates willingness to work with all
• ·         Works hard at getting along
• ·         Shows that it’s important to be kind
• ·         Willing to lend a hand
• ·         Gets along with everyone
• ·         Demonstrates good listening
• ·         Shows a positive attitude
• ·         Has a kind demeanor
• ·         Shows respect for others
• ·         Models kindness
• ·         Exhibits thoughtfulness
• ·         Supports classmates
• ·         Sets an example of how to play fair
• ·         Is helpful to others
• ·         Knows how to let others be special
• ·         Includes everyone
• ·         Welcomes others with a smile
• ·         Shows a getting-along attitude
• ·         Is accepting of others
• ·         Makes others comfortable
• ·         Will help anyone
• ·         Makes a friend’s day better
• ·         Excels in the way she treats others
• ·         Works in a kind & helpful manner
• ·         Is kind & respectful of everyone
• ·         Shows a smile
• ·         Knows how to SOAR
• ·         Lives the Golden Rule Daily
• 
  

WOW!  And this from 10 year olds.  I was and am impressed; impressed by this positive behavior and further impressed that similar recognition ceremonies are duplicated at all grade levels across our School District.  It’s fun.  It’s uplifting.  It’s inspiring.  It is truly a “feel good” experience.  It is wonderful.

I am so glad I was able to participate but it created this question for me.  Where is the disconnect between the students of Milton and the adults of Milton?  The gulf seems deep and wide.  Let’s take a lesson from our kids.  While we may not agree, let’s be responsible, respectful, safe, and kind with each other.  Let’s SOAR in our homes and our community.

Let’s pledge together to rise above this miasma of local divisiveness and rancor.  Let’s allow our kids to teach us how to truly live and treat each other.

After all – KIDS MATTER – and so does our community.

Jon Cruzan

Community Catalyst

cruzan4milton

Reflections On 'The Greatest Generation'

Recent comments from readers (who, of course, remain anonymous or use a pseudonym = #howbraveisthat) of our regional local newspaper have reminisced about and glorified their own school days.  They fondly recall the three flights of stairs, the smallness of the building, the sense of making do with what they had.  In my opinion, this is all good and all very natural. I don’t believe there are many of us who do not look back with mostly fond memories to the lives and memories we lived and experienced.  They reference “the greatest generation” (no argument from me about that), the force of character, the work ethic.

Often, these same commentators lament the plight of the senior citizen, these denizens of that greatest generation.  They claim that Milton taxes will force these people from their homes or put them in an awful bind.  I can’t presume to know what anyone else can or cannot afford but what I do know is that School District of Milton taxes are the absolute lowest in the entire area and in the Badger Conference.  I am not stating this for the sake of argument.  I am simply offering perspective.  If these people feel they must move, and, if in fact, they like the way of life of the Milton community where they were likely raised and attended school themselves, where will they go to find lower school taxes?

When does a person earn the positive, honorable label of senior citizen?  Is it a magic age, a mindset, a state of health or wellbeing?  I’m not sure and that is not the topic of this blog but may be worth considering.  I am 67 years old and have lived in this community now for 51 years.  I am not native but I am proud of being local.  I graduated from what was then Milton Union High School in 1968 – 50 years ago next spring.  Am I a senior citizen?  Perhaps.   I also know that there are many Milton citizens who are the next click or generation older than me and my contemporaries. I don’t always agree with them but I do value and honor them.  They raised me, they taught me, they tolerated me, they encouraged me, they corrected me, they praised me, and they celebrated with me. And, most important of all, through the legacy of the school district they built and of which they were so proud, they gave back to me and the future by building schools and facilities that created a platform for Milton kids to keep pace with the progress of a world moving at lightning speed.  So, in addition to making do, the greatest generation gave back and created the expectation that we who came after them would also do the same.

Allow me to share this except from Philip Gulley’s essay, The Compact.

“Almost every benefit we’ve ever enjoyed happened because our ancestors were generous enough to share their resources for the good of the whole (the social compact).  Their tax dollars educated us, secured our health, promoted our safety, and enhanced our lives immeasurably.

Take my money, please.  I don’t want it if it means my children and grandchildren will be afflicted with second-rate schools, third-world health care, shuttered libraries, busted dreams, and broken cities.

Shortly after my wife was born, the township she lived in voted not to pay its library tax.  Then, a relatively prosperous township made up of small family farms, it believed that particular tax was a waste of money.  As a consequence, the children of that township were not allowed to use the public library.  My wife didn’t check a book out of a public library until she was twenty-one.  She remembers wanting to enter and being told it was forbidden.  Today, that township is one of the poorest townships in the state’s second poorest county, less than ten percent of its children go to college, and they still believe they can’t afford to pay their library tax.

When American thrived, it thrived because its citizenry invested heavily in one another.  If America fails, it will be because we have placed our personal gain above the common good.  If that day comes, a few of us might be richer, be we will all be infinitely poorer.”

Voting ‘Yes’ on November 7 is clearly a vote for kids. BUT, it is so much more.  It is a vote for Milton, our lives, our legacy, our survival, our heritage, our expectations. It is living up to the role model created by that greatest generation who came before us. I feel privileged to honor and fulfill that expectation.

After all – KIDS MATTER.

Jon Cruzan

Community Catalyst

cruzan4milton

Milton Pride & Inspiration

With the world so full of negativity and animosity, I try hard to “catch” people doing things right.  I have found it’s not that difficult; that it’s just a matter of being mindful, and observant.  The next step is then finding a way to acknowledge and reinforce that positive behavior. We must tell these positive stories and revel in them if we ever hope to change our mindset from negative to positive.  We must become intentional about this because it simply won’t happen on its own. Dan Siegel captured this well in these powerful words. . .

“To be the change we wish to see in the world, we need to be aware of our awareness, to hold within this place of knowing our unfolding sense of being awake. It requires that we hold our own intention in the front of our minds – that we pay attention to our intention.”

So, with that being said, let’s cut to the chase.  The School District of Milton is teeming with people doing things right.  Let me focus on one aspect today – our buildings & grounds.  I walk in Milton a great deal and spend time at our various buildings.  I am extremely impressed with the appearance and upkeep of our properties.  The lawns, the shrubbery, the exterior image is one of excellence and pride of place.  I interact with the buildings & grounds staff and find them friendly, upbeat, and professional.  It is clear to me that they are engaged in their work.  Their pride shows clearly in the results of their efforts. 

By contrast, I often drive by schools in other communities when I am out and about.  Many look great but many others look like they are owned by uncaring, absentee landlords.  The shrubbery is taking over the buildings, the lawns are unkempt, the driveways & approaches are not welcoming and inviting, the signage is dilapidated – you get the picture.  How sad.  What is your impression when you enter or go by a restaurant, an attorney’s office, a bank, a clothing store that has fallen off the edge of upkeep? I know what mine is.  First impressions, right or wrong, are strong and lasting. Not only that but you never have a chance to erase that first impression. In my opinion, there are no small things!  Perhaps these communities simply don’t have the funds but I believe it is far more than that.  I believe this is a question of leadership or, perhaps, the lack of it.

The kind of pride and excellence that Milton enjoys comes from the top.  Our culture supports, leads, and inspires staff members to these levels of excellence.  To be precise about buildings and grounds you need to know that Building & Grounds Supervisor, Stephen Schantz, is an absolute rock star. From my observations he does it right.  He believes in his work and inspires those working for and with him to levels of excellence not enjoyed by other communities. I have had the privilege of watching him in action at meetings where he is prepared, concise, accurate, pleasant, and professional.  I have watched him interact with citizens in outstanding ways.  Clearly, the work of his people speaks for itself.  Just take a look.  Give Stephen and his crew a shout out. Their pride is obvious, their engagement is obvious, their excellence is obvious.  Their work creates such a positive, statement about who and what it means to be a Red Hawk.

Thank you, Stephen, for your dedication & leadership. You make it better for our kids (after all – Kids Matter) and you inspire me.  #MiltonPride#MSDinspire

Kids Matter

Jon Cruzan

Community Catalyst

Cruzan4Milton

Shadows Hovering For Life

Last Sunday, I had the distinct pleasure of selling tickets at the Milton Chicken BBQ and Arts & Crafts On The Lawn sponsored by MACC and The Milton Historical Society. Of course this event also included a Concert In The Park presented by The Gathering Place and the Milton Lions Club Car Show plus a myriad of vendors & crafters. What a demonstration of community!

Some would say they “worked” at the event but for me it was a joy. I was paired with an long-time friend and colleague, Theresa Rusch, and we had a great time becoming reacquainted and catching up on things. When you sell tickets you get to see a lot of great friends, neighbors, and visitors so it was a time of connecting and helping people enjoy one of the great events of our city. My shift flew by.

It would be risky to try to mention all who made this event successful but Dani & Kricket from the Chamber and Kari from The Historical Society deserve our accolades. A few might suggest that they were just doing their jobs but, I must say, they sure do their jobs well!

I observed large numbers of volunteers working their various tasks, supporting their particular interests & groups, thereby contributing to that sense of community. But far more than that, I saw "teachers"; because all of these volunteers were teaching. They were modeling the way to create something bigger and greater than themselves – something for the future of Milton. After all, the future is where we are all going to live. I strongly believe that we adults must realize that we are teaching, for good or for ill, all of the time. Our actions, our behaviors, speak so much louder than our words and rhetoric. Our beliefs don’t make us better people, our behavior does. And, also for good or for ill, “a teacher’s shadow can hover for life” (credit to Mitch Albom – The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto).

Also very heartening was the large number of Milton students investing their time in the ranks of the volunteers helping to create their preferred future – a community that comes together to make good things happen for the greater good of all.

Last Sunday, in North Goodrich Park – Milton, WI – there were so many "teachers" creating wonderful, hovering, long-lasting shadows. Shadows for their neighbors & friends, and those visiting our community.

Image driving into a small city and experiencing Milton Arts & Crafts On The Lawn plus the Chicken BBQ. You would not be able to leave with anything but a positive sense of community. Visitors were likely saying, “Wow, those people have it together. How do they do that?”

Why do people want to move to Milton? Why do they want their kids to go to school here? It’s because they want to personally experience that phenomenon of “community”. They see us behaving in ways that resonate with them, that inspire them, that make them want to belong. All of us want to believe that our existence matters. We all hunger for a sense of purpose and meaning in life. We need to feel that we matter and that our lives make a difference. In Milton, we have come a long way along that journey.

Kids Matter

Jon Cruzan

Community Catalyst

Cruzan4Milton

Honoring Red Hawk Scholars

Last night, the Jon C. Platts Auditorium was the setting for one of the highlights of our community’s school year. For me, aside from Commencement itself, Milton High School’s Honors Night is the pinnacle celebration of our Rising Red Hawk’s accomplishments. It is an event that draws pride like moths to a flame.

Let’s set the stage. Entering the auditorium, I had to pause for a moment to let my eyes adjust to the elegant, subdued lighting. How classy! The twinkling white lights accented the nicely stated red, black, and sparkling silver decorations. The presentation tables were draped with Milton’s ‘M’ and the room was alive with anticipation. As I made my way to my seat, I moved through and brushed shoulders with our student’s parents, siblings, grandparents, and other extended family members. You could, literally, feel the energy from the assembly and those on the stage as they completed their last minute preparations. Soft piano music, provided by student Emily Suiter, heightened the sense that we were about to experience something truly great.

Then it was time. Student Emcee, Jane Toberman, took the podium and the anticipatory buzz became respectful silence and solemnity. The awardees and inductees are far, far too numerous to mention here. Let it suffice to say their names filled three pages of the program. As each new category was announced, a salutary candle added its warm light to the celebration and elegance. Eighteen seniors were noted for having achieved 15 quarters of High Honors. This is most impressive! How many of we adults can claim 4 years of consistent excellence in our work or our lives?

Retiring Liaison Officer, Jim Martin, lent encouraging motivational words in his address, and Associate Principal of Teaching & Learning, Dr. Randy Bartels, reminded us of those Hawk Habits that brought these bright and shining students to this night – Leadership, Accountability, Responsibility, and Perseverance.

Following the presentations, families and guests gathered for refreshments and reflection. Many pictures were taken. Many hugs were given. Many tears of joy were shed, not only by parents, but also by our phenomenal teachers who have seen and helped our kids through so much.

What a night. You could feel the heady joy, the celebration, the commitment, and dedication – the fruit of Opportunity, Achievement, Community – culminating in the Sunburst of Milton, OUR KIDS.

After all, Kids Matter.

#sdmtalent#honoringacademicexcellence#WOW

Jon Cruzan, 

Community Catalyst

Cruzan4Milton

The Difference Between Winning & Achievement

While we are fortunate to live in a great community here in Milton, we cannot deny that we live in a competitive world. Our students will need to compete to secure the jobs they seek or enroll in post-secondary education that further develops and rounds out their lives. Competing is part of our lives. That competition is most often defined by winning and losing, i.e. get that job or get into college and you have “won”. Conversely, if you aren’t hired or accepted, you’ve “lost”.

In Milton, we focus on core values like Opportunity, Achievement and Community. Certainly there are similarities, but there is a distinct difference between achievement and winning. The dictionary defines winning as being successful or victorious. Achievement, on the other hand, is defined as a thing done successfully, typically by effort, courage, or skill. The difference in these definitions is significant. It is understandable that we celebrate winning, but our core value is rooted in achievement. In achievement, that core value takes on life and becomes dynamic.

I write this as someone who has been fortunate to “win” a seat on our School Board, serve as President of the School Board, and, most recently, “lost” an election. But more impactful than all of those success or failure measurements, is what we as a community have done to make our school district a place of significant achievement that we can and should celebrate for our students.

Please don’t misinterpret the tone of this post. We have a lot of areas where we can and must improve. But we also have so very much of which to be proud and we should celebrate these achievements successfully accomplished through great courage and skill.

Among these things are:

The highest enrollment ever in Milton’s proud history.

We generated significant, energized, community engagement in a Stakeholder Driven Strategic Planning Process resulting in a highly useful, living Strategic Plan that guides our initiatives.

Established the School District as a state-wide, regional, and nation-wide leader and education innovator by becoming an early implementer of a K-12, One-to-One, Technology Program. This catapulted our professional staff into leadership and resource roles among other school systems but more importantly, leveled the technology playing field for our students.

We lowered school district taxes three years in a row following a significant economic recession.

We began a community engagement process to address facility needs resulting in presenting two referendum questions.

We successfully passed an operational referendum to help maintain existing educational programming.

Our taxpayers enjoy the lowest school mill rate in the Badger Conference and throughout Rock County.

Following contentious and controversial state legislation, we designed and implemented a successful teacher compensation model designed to recruit and retain high quality staff. Milton’s model is being sought out by many other school districts.

We significantly improved relations and communications with the MEA and clearly have created a collaborative, positive working relationship based on trust, mutual respect, and professionalism.

We enhanced relationships with community partners through effective and innovative use of Fund 80, thereby enabling financial support for community programming designed to assist at-risk youth.

We launched a communications program that has drawn regional and national recognition for its impactful initiatives. Through well-planned, systematic, and creative use of our website and social media we reach thousands of people weekly. A significant advance in our competitive enrollment environment.

Our High School students consistently rank among the highest in the area in ACT scores.

Four of our seven schools Significantly Exceed Expectations as designated by our State Report Card.

These achievements were accomplished through courage and skill. We challenged the status quo with the belief that we can and should make things better for our kids and the community. I have been so fortunate to work with a dedicated group of fellow school board members, administrative and support staff and district stakeholders throughout my 9 years of service. We established and shared a vision, and, together, we achieved much for which this community can and should be proud.

For me, achievement that improves our community for our kids and for our shared future far outweighs winning any day, any time.

Even more personally, my school board service has enabled me to forge deep, meaningful, impactful, & dynamic relationships with true professionals, many of whom sit in this room tonight. I have learned from them. I have shared with them. I have grown with them. I have celebrated with them. I have cried with them They have forever changed my life positively as I watch them pour their very being into our kids.

I will end with a short quote from my favorite American author, Wallace Stegner. This is from his book, The Big Rock Candy Mountain.

“Perhaps that is what it meant, all of it. It was good to have been along and to have shared it. There were things he had learned that could not be taken from him.”

Kids Matter

Jon Cruzan

Outgoing President, School District of Milton Board of Education