Schools are sprinting to finish line of another year
This column is slated to be published right when the school year starts to get extremely busy. Though each quarter of the school year has its big moments and milestones, the fourth quarter always feels more like a sprint than a stroll.
I know most families (mine included) and educators feel the stress of this time, the fourth quarter is a culmination of so many wonderful experiences throughout the year, and for that, we should stop and appreciate the race we are running together.
Of immediate significance, this column is following a non-student day in Mechanicsburg for the total solar eclipse in our area. On April
8th, people within a 124-milewide band in the state of Ohio experienced a total solar eclipse, which is a rare event. The last one visible in Ohio was in 1806, and the next one in Ohio won’t occur until the year 2099. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event for many of us!
In preparation for the total solar eclipse, the district has been sharing classroom lessons and resources with teachers and students. While students and staff won’t be together for the eclipse, they have been discussing its significance and preparing for the once-in-a-lifetime moment. What a cool experience for educators to set the stage for this celestial event and then engage in discussions with students after the fact. Talk about connecting learning in deep and meaningful ways!
The total solar eclipse is the beginning of many deep and engaging learning experiences for students in Mechanicsburg Exempted Village Schools. Upcoming culminations of learning include the 4th-grade wax museum, district-wide art festival, senior awards night, annual FFA banquet, 8th-grade trip to Washington DC, countless sporting events, concerts, and many more student-centered activities across all buildings!
So why is it important to highlight these events? These events illustrate one very crucial point about the purpose of schools. The events signify the central part schools play in the lives of our communities. Not only is Mechanicsburg Exempted Village Schools the largest employer in the village, but we are also the focal point for family and community engagement, entertainment and education. In just the last 8 weeks of school, our students and families will come here during the day and after school hours to showcase their skills, talents, and educational growth. From famous Ohioan speeches to concerts and performances, our students take content, combined with skill development, to showcase deeper learning experiences that they will remember for the rest of their lives.
When the hectic nature of spring has you feeling crazed, remember that every fourth quarter event is a reflection of our schools, our students’ learning, and our communities’ investment in the power of education.
We are the Best Small
School in Ohio as a result.
Go Indians!