As the year slowly draws to a close, the days begin to shrink sooner than most of us are ready for. By 5 o’clock, the sun's already set, leaving ourselves to wonder, “Is it already bedtime or has the day just slipped away too quickly?”  Leaves that once clung to their branches drift to the ground, shedding their silky green coats for shades of rust orange, amber, and crimson, leaving us to find a crunch beneath our feet. The air grows crispier with each passing day. Pumpkins,

Mental health is still often a stigmatized and polarized topic. Depending on how you grew up - how much or how little you talked about your feelings, whether emotions were met with support or silence, or whether seeking guidance was seen as a strength or a weakness - everyone’s view of mental health looks different. The more you grow and change, the more you may start to feel the pressure of always needing to perform well academically, socially, or even physically. You may st

Waking up early in the morning can be hard. Especially after a summer of sleeping in, spending your days how you want, and not worrying...

Sleigh bells jingling …wait, no, that’s not quite right. It’s school bells ringing. The weather’s cooling down, backpacks are getting...

Think back to your childhood. How many adults did you meet along the way? Teachers, neighbors, coaches, family friends. As we grow, we’re...

You never forget the big firsts.  You cherish every milestone your baby makes. Their first step, their first word, the first time they...

When I was a teenager, I seriously struggled with confidence. I second-guessed everything I said, compared myself to everyone around me,...

Theater and drama programs offer unique benefits that help students develop important life skills. When students participate in these...

I still remember my first day in high school band class. With limited musical experience, I was assigned the triangle, just one small...

Wow, it’s February already. The second month of the new year has arrived, just as we were getting used to the first one. Time keeps...

When I was growing up, I was lucky enough to have multiple mentors to play crucial roles in my upbringing. Most were coaches and...

As I spend the holiday season with my friends and family back home, every day has been a trip down memory lane. My numerous after school...

Dear Friends, As I sit down to write this blog, my heart is full of gratitude. At Start 1 Spark, we are constantly reminded of the...

Are Leaders Born or Made? The age-old debate of whether leaders are born or made often falls into the realm of nature versus nurture. The...

Maintaining strong attendance rates continues to be a challenge for schools as we move beyond virtual learning. Schools utilize many...

From the ages of four till fourteen, if you ever needed to find me, I was on the soccer field. In that decade-long career, I only ever...

Many students saw the door open wide to the possibilities of an exciting future this year! The encouragement and confidence to apply for...

It’s fitting that May is both National Physical Fitness month and National Teen Self-Esteem month. The two have a symbiotic relationship....

As humans, we have the power to make an impact on our communities more than we think.  Growing up, I often heard the phrase, “Actions...

In 4th grade, I saw a group of three girls holding up what looked like flutes. But, they were far off from sounding like flutes. The...