WER Architects/Planners

Lending a caring hand

With this being September and the start of the school year, there are several “firsts.” This is my first time writing an article for the Report Card as well as it being time for the first weeks of school.

With that being said, I am reminded of my first day of school. I was afraid and very shy and did not want to go at all. My mom dropped me off at the entrance, and I remember crying and being in fear. My elementary principal, by William Campbell Mr. Curtis Harris, came up to me, took ASBA President me by the hand and walked me to my never be repeated. We must support our classroom. That hand is what started my administrators, teachers, and students journey through public school for the 100% by providing the resources and next 12 years and college afterwards. assistance they need daily.

With the start of the school year, As board members, we need to put many children and parents are facing aside our “agendas” and differences obstacles such as school safety, bullying, and work together on the common and shootings. We have the responsibil- goal, which is our kids. There are many ity to work together as board members, debates about school resource officers, administrators, teachers, and parents to mask mandates and many other manmake our school’s environment a safe dates both funded and unfunded, but the haven and secure place for all. deciding factor in all of this is what is

With these concerns, our adminis- best for our kids. We all will never fully trators and teachers must be the hand agree on all issues, but we should all that is firm enough to guide our youth agree on the safety of our kids first and throughout the journey. When my foremost and make sure they receive the elementary principal took my hand, that best education possible. gave me the courage to face the day The new school year should be both and the times that were ahead of me. It fun and educational for both students is true that when I was in school things and teachers. We must do everything were much simpler and a lot calmer, possible to make sure students embrace but that is the past and will probably the learning process and reach their potential. We must fully support our teachers, who are the conduit to our children’s mind and well-being. In order to do this, we must supply our teachers with the tools and equipment they need. We should not be afraid to step out of the box if it’s going to improve the learning environment of our youth. The new school year will include new teachers, administrators, students, and board members who are both anxious and uncertain about their new roles. These individuals will need that hand that I had on my first day of school to get them through. Therefore, we must all work together and fully be supportive and encouraging as they progress through the school year. When we are asked if we have any kids, the answer is, “Yes!” Whatever the number of students is in our district, that is the number of kids that we have. Even though they are not ours biologically, they are ours educationally, and we are responsible for their educational journey. Just remember that the hand that cares will leave an everlasting impression on very impressionable minds forever. A child will always remember that one gesture and person that touched their lives and will carry it with them forever. There are times when that caring hand will be more important than the educational process!

Sylvan Hills High School Arena Pulaski County Special School District werarch.com

Designing For Your Home Team

WER Architects works with educational campuses across Arkansas to design athletic facilities of all types, including the Arena at Sylvan Hills High School. Working together, we can provide tailored solutions to your district’s needs. We would love to be a part of your story!