Greetings from Mrs. Jones-

Many of you have heard me mention in class the phrase- "raising the bar".

Here is what Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary has to say:  

raise the bar : to set a higher standard <new software that raises the bar for competitors>

Here is what the Bible has to say:

Luke 12:48 ...From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

It seems pretty clear to me that God has given us a gift or gifts and he expects us to use them.

The gospel of Luke doesn't seem to leave room for an easy way out. It doesn't say...to whom much is given, of him much will be required unless it frightens you. . . . or unless it’s a pain in the neck . . . or unless you don’t feel like it that day.

I have "raised the bar" in my classroom this year.  There are higher standards and expectations for myself and my students.

I encourage you to not take the "easy way out" this year...I encourage you to embrace change and challenge yourself...I encourage you to do more than the "bare minimum" that just allows you to get by...

And remember...Making good grades has little to do with intelligence...It has much to do with attitude and effort!

I believe in you!