Dowagiac Schools Disney Way Initiative Launching in February!

Published in The Dowagiac News, 9:40pm Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Written by Larry Seurynck is president of the Dowagiac Board of Education.

The Dowagiac Schools want you.

Students, teachers, staff, community at-large.

The schools want you to be a guest and a leader.

Dr. Daniel, the Board of Education, teachers, students, staff and our community share the education mission in Dowagiac.

We share the mission to re-define the schools to meet the demands of the 21st century global community.

On February 28, Bill Capodagli (cap-o-di) will begin a community-wide discussion to accomplish our education mission.

Mr. Capodagli will present  “The Disney Way.”

The Disney Way embraces the philosophy and planning techniques Walt Disney developed when he produced such movies as Snow White and Pinocchio and when Walt built Disney Land and Disney World.

Dream!

The first step asks each of us to Dream about what our schools could be.

What would school be for you, for our community, if the schools could be what you imagine?

How could the schools serve the community in ways not yet imagined?

Believe!

The second step sets out what we Believe.

Dowagiac is a unique community.

It is our heritage, our town, the people we see every day.

What beliefs do we share about our schools?

What are the beliefs by which we succeed?

Let’s take what we imagine for the schools and weigh it against what we Believe.

Dare!

The third step is to Dare to take what we imagine, what we Believe and put it in a plan.

When we have our dreams out in front of us we will find a way to make them happen.

Every one of us brings energy and insight.

Every one of us brings strength and support.

Do!

The fourth step is Do!

Working with a story board, like Walt used to build the scenes of Disney movies, we will build the education story for Dowagiac.

Dream of what can be, measure those dreams by what we Believe, Dare to make it happen, then Do it.

Walt Disney knew the power of imagination.

He sought inspiration from everyone around him.

Energy and ideas and the strength to accomplish things come from each of us, that is powerful.

The Dowagiac Schools invite you to the keynote address Feb. 28 at the Performing Arts Center with Bill Capodagli.

Mr. Capodagli is a powerful speaker with a wonderful story to tell.

Mr. Capodagli has consulted with major corporations around the world — and he is excited to bring the Disney Way to our town.

Working with the schools, the city, the hospital and the college, this will be the first time such a community-wide alliance has explored the Disney Way.

Be our guest, and we will be yours.

Let’s imagine schools that will carry all of us forward in the 21st century global community.

A unique opportunity.

A unique community.

As the song says:  “On Dowagiac!”