FINAL - Pages - CCSD Magazine FY25 - Flipbook - Page 7
A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD // 5
The concept of "passing the magic" brings to mind the classic pass, a foundational yet subtle sleight
in card magic. This idea resonated deeply when I witnessed Malcolm Mitchell’s inspiring
presentation to our second-grade students on the profound importance of reading, culminating in
each child receiving a copy of his book, The Magician's Hat.
A professional magician played a crucial role in the program that day. While others sought out
Malcolm, I was drawn to the magician, compelled by a personal connection: my grandfather, Roy
Zess, was a local magician who frequently performed for elementary school students.
Upon asking the performing magician about the most vital element in learning to "pass the magic,"
he readily revealed the secret: he honed and perfected his presentation by reading and consuming
every possible piece of literature on magic. Knowledge was the foundation for his craft.
Soon after, I saw an image that truly crystallized the meaning of "passing the magic" in an
educational context. It was a photograph of a young student sitting alone on the lunchroom floor
on the first day of school. A teacher approached him and, with a simple, silent gesture, placed her
arm around him. In that single, tender act, she "passed the magic."
This moment echoes a truth I've learned throughout my professional career: No one cares how
much you know until they know how much you care.
In that one moment of EXCELLENCE, that student experienced a profound moment of
connection — a human "light bulb moment" that serves as a powerful template for EVERYONE in
our school district.
As a board member, I am immensely proud of our steadfast focus on the whole child. This focus
ranges from creating a safe and secure learning environment to setting and maintaining high
expectations for attendance, academic achievement, and involvement in extracurricular activities.
I am equally proud of our dedicated employees who work tirelessly, day after
day, to capture, inspire, teach, and serve every student they encounter. We cannot
pass the magic if our students are unhealthy, distracted, or absent from campus.
As the expectations for public education continue to rise, our board remains
ready to provide unwavering support to our students and educators. While public
education cannot magically solve every societal challenge, we can be ONE
essential part of the solution by consistently engaging EVERY ONE of our
parents and caregivers to secure their full and robust support.
Sincerely,
Hayden Willis, Chairman
