ANDERSON, Ind. —
For the start of the 2010-11 school year, Anderson did not become a battlefield between students forced to consolidate two schools into one.
Certainly, some students were bound to dislike others. Tempers likely flared over still-lingering summer arguments.
The start of the school year was also not a district-wide transportation nightmare. Granted, many students may have felt like they waited too long for buses and some ended up riding their bus for much longer than they ever assumed. And Anderson High School students may still be wondering which of the more than 40 buses they are to take home.
But the disaster that many predicted for the first week of consolidated schools did not prove true. In general, the start of the 2010-11 school year in Anderson was safe and without widespread unfortunate incidents.
The same was true — and usually is — for other districts.
Notably, at Lapel High School, educators took a little time off on the first day to begin bonding immediately with students through a pep rally where students joined together for games.
After the rally, principal Greg Ganger told students, “For an hour, you didn’t care who you were. You were a team. You were a family.”
The event was a clever reminder that a school building should provide character-building activities and education for all students.
Anderson school teachers, too, went out of their way to bring students — previously from separate schools and traditions — into one unified body. Whether they employed smart get-to-know-you games in the classroom or whether they showed compassion in understanding transportation glitches, the effort showed unity.
Now it’s time for students, parents and educators to unify and get serious about this school year.
The rough economy is not going to let up on school budgets. The bitterness of some families over budget and program cuts is not going to ease up overnight. Our schools are going to have to do more with less funding. And every student and taxpayer must be unified in understanding and overcoming the dilemma. The goal of educators and families must be aimed at helping every student succeed. We practice the mission by developing new approaches to education and be welcoming every student into each building.
Perhaps the concept was best stated in a banner hanging at Anderson High School. But its message can apply to every school building: “One school. One goal.”
Editorials
Editorial: Back to school; now get serious about education
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Editorial: If bullying tale is true, APA right to release headmaster
The recent accusations leveled against the headmaster at Anderson Preparatory Academy illustrate how bullying can be perpetuated by administrators who become enablers.
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Editorial: Get permission before school pranks
Anderson High School decided to show some solidarity with their Cascade peers and filled up the school with post-it notes, all in good fun. This prank was also done after hours but with a big difference: The students had requested and received permission to imitate Cascade.
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You Said It: About fundraiser, missing woman, building preservation
Each Monday, The Herald Bulletin publishes “You Said It,” a compilation of reader comments from www.theheraldbulletin.com.
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Editorial: Memorial Day helps put face on wounded warriors
This is the perfect weekend to thank a veteran, an active duty service member or a wounded warrior for his or her service. Our positive, encouraging response goes a long way in defining our society.
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Editorial: Honor those who fought, and celebrate our freedom
This weekend, keep in mind the reason for Memorial Day — to remember those who have been so important in our lives, especially those who made the supreme sacrifice in military service.
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Editorial: Governor candidates offer conservatism, moderation
The jockeying for position has begun in what is basically a two-horse gubernatorial race. Each offers voters a legitimate option. The November outcome may offer a simple referendum on the mindset of voters: Are they most persuaded by Mike Pence’s conservatism or by John Gregg’s moderation?
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Editorial: Keep up the chorus against the landfill
Occupy Anderson has joined the ever-growing chorus against the proposed Mallard Lake landfill. Sam Mudd, a member of Occupy, is taking his studies on how the landfill might pollute Anderson’s water to areas of the county to drum up support against the landfill.
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Editorial: Find a buyer for former school or tear it down
If a buyer wants the former Pendleton Heights Middle School, fine, but put no more taxpayer money into it.
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Editorial: Libraries must adapt to serve communities
Certainly, the Friends of the Anderson Public Library needs space to store and sell used books, records, DVDs and other material. But library supporters and staff must be flexible in this ever-changing world to keep public facilities relevant.
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You Said It: About Walking Men, the Queen of Disco and settled lawsuits
Each Monday, The Herald Bulletin publishes “You Said It,” a compilation of reader comments from www.theheraldbulletin.com.
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Editorial: If bullying tale is true, APA right to release headmaster
