Chronicle Editorial

A new year, a fresh start

     Yet another school year is upon us next week, and it’s hard to believe summer has already come and gone. It seems like just last month we were getting dumped on by that cursed May snowstorm.

     The start of a new school year is always a refreshing change of pace for students, staff and the community. It gives everyone throughout each local district reinvigorated excitement over the promise of the next nine months. Be it sports, music, academics or anything in between, there’s something for everyone.

     It’s important to encourage our local students to participate in all that interests them. Sometimes it’s easy to take things for granted, but the programs our local school systems provide to our communities are something to be proud of and appreciate. Sometimes these programs aren’t always as successful as we’d like them to be, but it’s important to show our continued support through thick and thin. Small schools are direct representatives of the communities in which they call home, and they deserve a salute.

     Each new school year creates its own unique challenges. For some schools it’s dwindling enrollment, for other there’s not enough classroom space. However, providing our youth with a quality education is always the most important function of a school system. It seems keeping up with today’s competitive world is a near impossibility, but our smaller community schools are holding their own.

     We live in a society that evolves almost exponentially. Be it new technologies, teaching methods or coursework, it’s not possible to set your sights on one specific path and follow a straight line. Today’s classroom is a multifaceted learning experience and local districts certainly recognize that. They’ve been able to raise their own personal standards through one-to-one initiatives that provide laptops, smart tablets or other electronic devices to all students in certain grades. These programs have tiered benefits that prepare students for the real world by giving them hands-on experience with modern technology.

     More often than not, rural districts like those throughout our area are caught between a rock and a hard place. They’re expected to perform at the same level as larger urban schools, but they have fewer students, less money and scarce resources. This is where community support is so important. Without it, rural districts would certainly be in a much more dire state. This reality is an important thing to remember when looking towards the future, and it should never be forgotten. Not only do our schools depend on the students and teachers in the classroom, they depend on the support, dedication and involvement of everyone throughout the community.

     The 2013-14 school year provides a fresh start and clean slate for our communities. Soon, the fall athletic season will begin, bringing with it thrill of football Fridays, marching bands and everything else that comes with it. Take the time to catch your local school on the field, court or in concert and appreciate all the hard work that goes into each year. Because, without the efforts of these dedicated individuals, our communities would be much less vibrant places.