A NEW SCHOOL YEAR

As I sit in my office during 7th hour of the first day of school of this new year, I reflect upon a plethora of things...I vaguely remember my first day of sixth grade at Sikeston Middle School in 1970 something...two story, old brick building with steps galore...I don't think I had a class on the same floor for two consecutive hours.  There were no cell phones, but we did take typing class on an electric typewriter.  I also remember being required to shower after PE class!!  I'm sure I was nervous back then, just as many sixth graders were today coming to Salem Middle School for the first time.  But by the second week of school, I had settled into a routine and I know the students at Salem Middle will do the same.

Some might call those the "good ole' days" and in some ways they were.  Learning and teaching was much different back in the day.  We didn't have intervention programs for struggling students, teachers did not collaborate and share to improve teaching.  The teacher taught the lesson and if the student learned it great, if not, sorry....we're moving on.  Parents seemed more involved in their child's education back in the day too as PTA's were a big part of a parent's life...

I am glad though I work in public education in today's generation!!  The philosophy of ALL Staff at Salem Middle School is that ALL STUDENTS CAN LEARN!  As a staff, we will do whatever it takes to ensure this philosophy becomes standard practice.  Students, parents, and staff play a vital role in making this philosophy become reality.  So jump on board, strap in and get ready for an exhilarating thrill ride of excitement called MIDDLE SCHOOL LIFE!