Letters to the Editor; What is a school?

What is a school? Besides a brick and mortar building, a school is a place of learning. But, it is more than that.

In a small town, and even in many large cities, the school is a focal point for socializing, whether the event is an elementary musical program, a drama play, or a sporting event. School events bring people together to celebrate their students and in doing so, meet and share with friends in those celebrations. School is a place where people gather to get information and get caught up on their lives.

School is also the place people often go in case of emergency. It is a place of safety and shelter. In many places across the country devastated by floods, tornados, and fires, the school is where people went for that shelter and information. It is the gathering place for comfort and hope in difficult situations.

Schools are also a reflection of the community. Often the school district is the first thing people look at when they consider relocating to a new community. A good school district draws business to a community because leaders know that their employees want their children in a good school. I recently gave a tour of my former elementary school to a gentleman who was interviewing for a local job, and who would be relocating his family here and placing his child in the elementary school. People want to know that there are good schools in the communities to which they will relocate.

St. Regis is blessed with a great school district and caring teachers and staff. The custodians and maintenance crews have been doing a great job getting the school ready for the school year, and more importantly, to show our Tigers pride. Beyond the paint and plaster, though, are the teachers who have participated in summer workshops to bring technology into the classroom and who learned new ways to engage students with hands-on learning opportunities. We have a lot of new staff members, who are young, eager and energetic. We have an administrative team who work together and share a common vision.

Like most schools, St. Regis School has issues to deal with this year. As a community, we can address those issues together if the community steps forward to get involved to keep our school a great place for education, socialization, comfort, and hope. There are many ways to get involved…. serve on a committee, get involved in the St. Regis Fan Club, volunteer in a classroom or extra-curricular activity, offer to teach a skill.

Schools are more than buildings. It is the community. We want a school that reflects the community, and of which the community is an integral part. Contact the principal, Joe Steele, at 649-2311 ext. 202 to talk about getting involved in the school or about the other exciting things happening at St. Regis School.

Joe Steele

Principal

St. Regis School

Home of the Tigers