I will begin by saying, “Isn’t it great to be an Archer!” My name is Michael L. Bute and I am the new Middle/High School Principal at Antwerp. I was a member of the 1990 graduating class of Antwerp and then graduated from the University of Toledo with a Bachelors Degree in Education. I am entering my seventeenth year in education, where I began as a middle/high school mathematics teacher. My teaching experiences took me to Lincolnview for twelve years and Ottawa-Glandorf for one year. After leaving the classroom, I moved into the principal’s role at Leipsic Middle/High School. I served as Leipsic’s principal for the past three years. 

     Education plays such a major role in preparing our students to be successful in the global society. It is our job to promote and challenge our students to reach their full academic potential. To achieve this, we must continue to challenge our students by annually raising the levels of expectations and standards by which they are rated by. This philosophy will help keep us from ever becoming content with our current achievements. Utilizing this philosophy will help us provide every student with a quality education, which will prepare each of them for his/her future. 

     In preparing our students to be successful adults, we must make sure they are college and/or workforce ready. In previous discussions with local colleges/universities and several businesses, they believe it is essential for students to: be able to effectively collaborate with others, have critical thinking skills, and be able to apply what they have learned. 

     I will be emphasizing the importance of “ACCOUNTABILITY” to our students this school year. Accountability is taking responsibility for his/her actions. The student will be held accountable for knowing and abiding by the rules/policies/procedures identified in the student handbook.   There are a few policies that I will be emphasizing to the students, they are: wireless communication devices, dress code, bullying, public display of affection, and attendance. Working together, we can provide a structured learning environment that promotes student success. 

     I am a proud member of the Archer community and I am looking forward to the upcoming 2011-2012 school year. This school year will bring new challenges and opportunities for us to take advantage of. I will end the way I began, “Isn’t it great to be an Archer!”