Tarver Elementary School

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“It all Matters”

  This summer, I read a book titled Walk on Water, The Miracle of Saving Children’s Lives by Michael Ruhlman. The author shadows Dr. Roger Mee, a pediatric heart surgeon, and his associates at the Cleveland Clinic and chronicles their lives and the lives of very sick children with severe heart disorders.  Dr. Mee is a world-renowned pediatric heart surgeon and the Cleveland Clinic has an astounding success rate in treating children. What impresses me about this book are the traits and attitudes that Dr. Mee demonstrates that leads to the successful treatment of his patients. Even when his most trusted colleagues tell him “enough”, or “nothing more can be done”, Dr. Mee surges forward and finds a way, or a method to save a child.  He won’t give up. The author asked Dr. Mee about his success rate, and in a very humble way, Dr. Mee expressed that his success is due in part to those around him.  He states “It all Matters”.  The planning before a surgery…It all Matters. The skill of the nurses and support staff before and after surgery…It all Matters. The way each of his staff members talks to the children and their families with words of encouragement…It all Matters. Without the support of his team, the hospital, the preparation, sick children would die. He reiterates that “It all Matters”.  

Our work as parents, teachers and principals is much different than that at the Cleveland Clinic. Our results take much longer to witness than the immediate results of a heart transplant. But in many ways the traits that Dr. Mee demonstrates are the same traits that we must demonstrate in raising our children. Even when you see your child struggling and have tried “everything” we must provide words of encouragement to push forward to try, knowing it would be detrimental to stop or do the work for your child. It all Matters, the amount of support and time we give our children. It all Matters how we encourage our children to take responsibility for their academic work and behavior. It all Matters in how you value school and your attitude towards school. It all Matters in that what you do this year will effect your child next year.  It all Matters in that what we do, will have an effect on your child’s life for years to come.  

A few weeks ago, I received an email from a Tarver student twelve years ago. He is a college senior engineering/physics student. All he wanted to say is “Thank you” for the education he received at Tarver. Amazing! He was thanking me, he was thanking us. We mattered to him. I am hoping that your child will also send a letter to you or me saying, “thank you”, what you did mattered.  

Just remember, when you take that extra minute with your child, when you provide one more word of encouragement, when support your child taking responsibility….It All Matters! 

Have a great school year.  

Sincerely,  

David