Governor Mike DeWine addressed the Catholic school offices from across the state of Ohio in early December. One of his messages to us centered on his time left in office, which at that point stood at about 390 days. He recounted that he has a countdown clock on his desk that displays how much time remains for him as governor of our state.
His point in conveying this idea to this group of educators was that he is trying to do as much good as he can in the time that he has remaining.
This concept resonated with me. It made me consider the urgency with which we need to act for the good of the students and families in our communities.
It made me realize that our countdown for each student is 720 days.
That number represents the maximum amount of time that we have to form students in our schools. The actual number of days a student who spends all four year in our organizations probably clocks in well below that figure once you account for absences, 1/2 days, and other ways that our annual academic calendars come in at under 180 instructional days.
720 days.
For our current 9th graders, that number has already dwindled to about 630. For the Classes of 2026, we have less than 90.
While change done well takes time, we must bring it about within our schools with a sense of compassionate and purposeful urgency. Not frenetic. Not chaotic or even hurried.
Compassionate and purposeful urgency. Methodical. Strategic. Inspirational.
Mission-aligned. Rooted in and stemming from our beliefs, values, charisms and/or pillars.
After all, 2026 is already down to 364 days. Well, actually 363. Sorry.
As we begin a new year, let us act with a sense of determination to do as much good as we possibly can for each of the students in our care. The clock keeps ticking and its stock is limited. Waiting until next year, or next quarter, or next month, or even next week may not be good enough for all of our students.
Consider one way in which we can positively impact each of the four classes within our schools. How might we purposefully allow our seniors to more intentionally be impacted by our missions? How can we leverage the second semester for our juniors to set them up for 12th grade success? What can be done to shake sophomores out of a second semester slump? Even though we have the most time left with 9th graders, what programming could we implement to round out their first year in our schools?
The countdown continues.
Let's make it count.
