Graduation Matters
September 03, 2009
Tackling this century’s new challenges in education is a tough assignment. Technology is ever changing, accountability is high, and what is at stake for our future is important. Never before has getting an education and graduating from high school been this important. We want to get that message out to our community and would ask for your help in conveying the message that, “Graduation Matters”.
It appears that more and more students are working either to support themselves or help support the family. Some are getting to the point that making some money is attractive or they are living outside the home and need to work to survive. Although we don’t find that near as much in Lockwood as some of the larger districts around us do, we still want to emphasize the importance of education to our students, parents, and community. The children that are in these circumstances need our support, guidance, and help when making the important life decisions ahead of them.
We would like to at some point promote the campaign that “Graduation Matters”. Through the use of our community, churches, and businesses relaying the message that resources do exist for the students who are struggling with attendance, grades, or financial situations. We will be producing some flyers later on that will explain the theme and give some ideas that we can incorporate as a school and community in an effort to help students reach the goal of graduation and beyond.
This economy has been hit and hit hard. But one thing I am sure of is that it will recover. When it does, we need to have students prepared and ready to fill the vacancies that will exist through new business opportunities. Regional businesses and employers have already begun the task of listing skills that students need for different areas of employment that will be needed in the future. At Missouri Connections, these skill sets can be viewed and shared by our counseling staff with our students. Students can prepare and be ready for their opportunities and pursue them farther at the next level.
But to accomplish these goals, we must not only reach the motivated student, but also the struggling student. We must provide opportunities for the students who think of dropping out and struggle with conventional school. We need to get the message to them that “Graduation Matters” and help them find the way to being all they are capable of being.
With your help we can continue to pursue the vision of the district and the goal of graduation for all.
