Keep your eye on the ball!  From the youngest beginners to the most seasoned veterans this short phrase is probably one of the most common pieces of advice given to athletes. The words hold so much meaning they’re commonly used to remind people to stay focused, keep on task, and not lose sight of their goals. For all students, this time of year can lead them to “take their eye off the ball.”  The start of spring brings longer days, milder weather and the beginning of additional after school activities. The end of the school year is in sight and the last weeks of school go by rather quickly. For our seniors, thoughts of graduation and the excitement of college can distract them from assignments that require their full attention.  Despite these distractions, students need to stay focused on learning. For those who may be struggling, these last few weeks can be the time when concepts begin to click, connecting today’s lessons with those learned earlier in the year. These final weeks offer opportunities to improve grades but more importantly a chance to end the year with a better understanding of the subject being taught. For students who are performing well, getting lax now can have disastrous results. Success attained in the classroom throughout the year can be dramatically impacted by lower grades on final exams or end of the year projects. Staying focused also pertains to behavior outside the classroom, especially for high school students. Too often we hear news stories about students being involved in a tragic accident because they were in engaged in a dangerous behavior that they normally stay away from. Unfortunately, these stories reflect someone who took their eye off the ball.  In our district, we can take pride in knowing that our students have taken full advantage of all the educational opportunities offered to them during the year. In the days ahead, I hope that all of you will join me in celebrating the academic accomplishments of students at all grade levels. From the first day in September to the last day in June, our staff is dedicated to providing all students with a quality education each and every day of the school year.  Rest assured, our teachers, principals, and staff will be on the job, our eye on the ball, for the remainder of the school year. There is plenty of teaching to do and just as much learning will occur.Brian Whiston is Superintendent of Dearborn Public Schools