Take a Look with Mr. Bob Houghtaling: For Parents

Making Mistakes

Dear Parents and Caregivers of Children,

What better time will there be to encourage young learners to make mistakes? All too often we create cultures that promote not doing so. Unfortunately, this often leads to kids seeking to avoid venturing into new territory. With this being said, I am urging you to extoll the virtue of mistakes.

Civil Rights icon, John Lewis, asked folks to get into ‘Good Trouble’, so let us expound this
notion to advocate for ‘Good Mistakes’. Success often is born from a willingness to expand
horizons, risking awkwardness, and being open to leave one’s comfort zone.

What kind of mistakes are we talking about here? How about joining a new club, reaching out to
a broader spectrum of friends, reading books from a different genre, seeking to learn more
about those from different cultures, trying a new sport, attempting to learn how to play a musical
instrument, etc., etc.? Whenever we try something different there is always the chance for
‘mistakes’. Change and growth aren’t always easy.

During times of stress it is often comfortable to hunker down and avoid challenges. Certainly, it
goes without saying that health and safety are priorities. Wearing masks and social distancing
are practices that protect people. Playing by the rules in this context shows respect for others
and enhances community health/safety. There is a huge difference between abiding by rules
that protect people and risking an expansion for enhancing one’s skill set.

So, don’t be upset if your children sneak out of the box a bit to try a new course, club, sport, or
other activity. In fact, here is an opportunity for you to try doing the same thing. Of course you
are busy. Of course you have been asked to adjust to different times. But in the end, parents
and caregivers of children, of course, deserve an opportunity for fun and growth. I hope you and
your family are doing well.

I will conclude by offering a poem, The Beacon, for those children under your care. We are
engaged in an unusual academic year and this piece attempts to look at the trials and benefits
of working through difficult times. See you soon.

- Bob

The Beacon

The masks on our faces
And lines in the halls
Tell a strange story
Of what’s happening this fall
It all seems so different
It’s been such a change
Only the Twilight Zone
Could prove just as strange
But with all of this said

We’re each back to school
Whether in class or distant
Learning about Golden Rules
Though there are plenty of challenges
For us to all weather
It’s so very important
That we do this together
One day not far distant
Science will answer the call
And we’ll see unmasked smiles
Most likely next fall
But remember this lesson
I now will impart
You shine like a beacon
When showing your heart