Benjamin Logan employees enjoy breakfast served by Chris Cakes of Ohio. (Benjamin Logan PHOTO)
Benjamin Logan Schools staff were welcomed back to kick off the new school year Wednesday, Aug. 30, with a breakfast served by Chris Cakes of Ohio, and a keynote address by Superintendent John Scheu.
The first day of school for Benjamin Logan students in grades 1-12 will be Tuesday, Sept. 5. The first day of school for kindergarten girls will be Sept. 6, and kindergarten boys will be Sept. 7. All kindergartners will attend Sept. 8.
This summer, the superintendent attended a seminar on Managing Burnout presented by Benjamin Logan graduate, Jeannie Dempster, LPCC-S, LICDC-CS, and Director of Mental Health Services at TCN Behavioral Health.
He referred to his own professional learning on this topic as a theme for his back-to-school message.
“For those of you in the trenches (teachers, bus drivers, cooks, secretaries, custodians), there are so many things you can do to make a positive impact on students. Take the time to listen, console and understand how burnout can happen to anyone.”
Scheu talked about the difference between burnout and stress and emphasized, “We need to take care of ourselves, take care of the new teachers that are part of the Benjamin Logan family, and make sure people enjoy where they’re working.”
The superintendent also relayed the staff members’ important role in shaping the lives of students from all grade levels.
“We need to take care of others, and also the students that we serve and be positive role models for students. We have more of an impact on students than anybody, but parents.”
Contrary to common misconceptions, some of the district’s top performers are at the highest risk of employee burnout.
Scheu referred to the following characteristics of a person experiencing burnout:
• Ambitious, competitive, controlling, and perfectionistic personalities;
• Hard-working;
• High levels of engagement;
• Helping professionals, such as first responders and doctors, nurses, and mental health providers;
• Strong need for recognition;
• Tendency not to delegate tasks; and
• Caregiver traits such as self-deprivation, compassion, and a strong sense of personal responsibility.
Concluding his talk, Scheu also detailed improvements made on campus over the summer, including the turf field, the new track, the new band tower, revitalized mulch and flowerbeds, and paving completed in the parking lots.
Before the mic was turned over the principals to introduce their new staff, the superintendent put a plug in for the United Way of Logan County. He shared his belief that of all the organizations in the county the United Way benefits more students and families that we serve as educators than any other organization as he encouraged the staff to contribute and support the United Way during the workplace campaign.
The staff breakfast was sponsored by Citizens Federal Savings and Loan. The morning concluded with a performance by the Benjamin Logan High School Standing Ovation Show Choir.
Superintendent John Scheu speaks Wednesday to district employees during the opening day evening Wednesday. (Benjamin Logan PHOTO)
