On Thursday, students at Bethany Christian left their summer break behind and returned to the classroom. Today, students in Goshen Community Schools do the same. Next week students at Fairfield, Wa-Nee, Wawasee, Westview, Concord and Middlebury schools will begin the 2010-11 school year.
There is an excitement, a freshness even, that accompanies the first day of school. The buildings smell clean from the summer polish. The desks have all been wiped down. New text books have been taken from their boxes. New teachers have organized their rooms for the first time and veteran teachers ready themselves for a new batch of young faces. At Concord Community Schools the finishing touches are even being put on a new intermediate school for fifth- and sixth-graders.
Some students are reluctant to go back while others can’t wait, even laying out their new first-day-of-school outfit the night before. But the greatest thing about the first day of school is that each student is given the gift of a clean slate, and they can choose what will be done with it. If they take that clean slate seriously each year, they will have much success.
We hope that each student understands how important their education is to their future wellbeing, and we hope that they grasp how hard their teachers are working for them. The stakes of taking advantage of a good education are higher now than ever. The days of going straight from high school into the workforce are dwindling as manufacturing jobs disappear. And colleges and universities are in a position to be more selective than ever before. So, every school year counts. Every assignment matters. Every test or quiz is important.
Parents must also remember that the road to quality education starts well before their children ever step foot in a classroom. It starts with love and encouragement. It starts with constant positive interaction and vocabulary building. It starts with reading to children as often as possible. Children who receive these things during the first five years of their life are much, much more likely to succeed in school, and life, than those who don’t.
Education is the gateway to world and should be taken seriously by teachers, parents and students. With hard work and commitment, it can be a great school year for everyone.
Opinion
Welcome back, students and have a great year
- Opinion
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Memorial Day an opportunity to honor veterans
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Gun owners should safely store weapons
This week has been designated National Small Business Week as a way to recognize entrepreneurs and risk takers who form the economic backbone of our country.
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Gun owners should safely store weapons
Gun violence is a daily occurrence in the United States and on Wednesday an advocacy group for gun control made a point and a few headlines by announcing 10 states, Indiana included, have higher rates of deaths by firearms than by motor vehicles.
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Clearing a path for future First Fridays success
Last week the Goshen City Council gave final, unanimous approval to an ordinance that will prohibit people from blocking public sidewalks within the city limits. Those who violate this ordinance face a fine of $200.
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13 turnarounds we can admire
Before trustees of Goshen Community Schools met this past Monday night, a reception was held to honor 13 deserving students. They weren’t valedictorians or salutatorians. They weren’t class presidents or all-state student-athletes.
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Recognition as bicycle-friendly city appreciated
Goshen is in the second year of its four-year designation by the League of American Bicyclists as a bike-friendly community. We congratulate city planners and bicycle advocates for this continuing recognition.
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A message that all children need to hear
Gayla Konanz is giving girls the message they need to hear — fitness begins early in life and is the foundation that self-esteem and confidence are built on.
Konanz is a fitness advocate for children and works through the Girls on the Run program. The Goshen News told readers in the May 2 edition how Konanz is working with girls at Bristol Elementary School and is encouraging them to get fit and stay fit. -
We’re No. 12, and No. 1,268! Way to go GHS
This has become a popular space for singing the praises of our local school corporations in recent years. That’s because we believe in the quality work and effort our educators and students are putting forth on a daily basis in and out of the classroom.
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Bill Bloss was a superb servant
Bill Bloss, a man who was always willing to step up and help his hometown of Goshen, died Wednesday. We know that everyone who had met Mr. Bloss and got to know him, will miss him plenty.
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Voters and candidates deserve a 'thank you'
In light of Tuesday’s primary election, we’d like to take a moment and thank two groups of people.
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