By the time this paper is read, the majority of Sunflower County’s students and teachers will have seen the halls of their respective schools for the first time in 2018.
All of the area schools have a great foundation to build on from 2017, both academically and athletically.
Most important, the schools in the area are improving in their academics, and it is showing in the overall state testing.
The third graders in the Sunflower County Consolidated School District, in particular, improved greatly this past year, with an over 95 percent pass rate on the third grade state reading exam.
While SCCSD students will be working to improve their ACT scores and the overall graduation rate in the county, there’s no doubt that things are heading in the right direction.
We hope to share the academic successes of all of our area schools over the next nine months.
In this edition, we profile more than 60 new teachers who began their careers in the Sunflower County public schools this week. That’s up from just over 30 last year.
We sincerely hope that the majority of these teachers find a permanent home in Sunflower County and that the turnover that is experienced in most Delta school districts will subside here at home.
Whether you are a student, a teacher or an administrator at one of our area schools, including our two academies, Indianola Academy and North Sunflower Academy, we need you to do well.
Education is a hard job for both educators and students, but it is a job that can be done with the help of hard work and determination.
The future economic success of this county depends on the academic success of those who are students today but will be asked to fill hundreds of jobs in the future as adults.
Students, trust your teachers. Trust your parents, and trust the system that the district has put in place for you this school year.
Teachers and administrators, be patient with these students. They are just kids.
They will try you each and every day you are in the classroom, but if you stick to the system until May, you will be amazed at what these kids are capable of.
Administrators, have your teachers’ backs. Your success depends on the talent you have in the classroom. Make sure they know each day that they are valued and that their work is not in vain.
This is going to be an amazing school year, and we hope that the area schools share the best moments with our readers.
Administrators, remember to send news and photos to The E-T on a weekly basis so that we can highlight all of the positive things going on from the north end of the county, to the south end.
To all who will be in the local schools and classrooms this year, good luck.
