September 2, 2014
Back to School
By Senator Lena C. Taylor
As summer comes to a close, we once again face the beginning of a new school year. As you or your children go back to school this fall, please take time to appreciate the opportunity school presents. It is so important to continue education, as it allows for the development of skills invaluable to a person later in life, and creates greater opportunities for one’s future.
Education is the foundation for a child’s future and therefore, cannot be overlooked. We must ensure that every child is receiving the best education we have to offer, to safeguard their future success. We are all benefactors of the civil rights efforts from 40+ years ago when people had the courage to challenge the status quo so that African Americas could attend school without defacto segregation. Like our forefathers we as a community must have the courage and capacity to challenge the status quo. Now is the time to improve our outcomes – for our kids, for our city, and for our state. We can put egos and politics aside so we can have all hands on deck to improve our school districts.
The most important thing to remember is that we need to be putting our kids first. By improving our education system, we can ensure that the challenges we currently face do not hinder our children’s future successes. They are the future leaders that will define the successes of the 21st century. We should be offering them every opportunity to succeed and ultimately meet their full potential. It is through quality education that we can see their possibilities flourish and their prospects grow.
One way to ensure your child’s success in their education is to be an involved parent. Communicate with your children about school and their education. Be supportive in their growth as a student and be available for help when needed. This is essential in a child’s educational career because it helps to create a support system outside of their teachers on whom they can rely.
Finally, for any students, the best thing you can do for yourself is to put in your best effort every day. That being said, remember, that you have people around you who are there for you should you need help or guidance. Teachers are a wonderful resource and care deeply for their students, so do not take them for granted. Remember, that your education is crucial for you, your future, and the future of those around you, so you should strive to be the best student you can be.
