May 9, 2015

Dear Letter to the Editor,

Last Saturday, May 9, I experienced one of the best opportunities I have ever had as an educator, parent, and taxpayer.  As was advertised by the Luxemburg-Casco School District, anyone who has an interest in the future of the LC school district was invited to a 3-day event to look at the past, present, and future of the district.

One word comes to mind describing this event -- wow!  There were over 125 concerned citizens who gave up Thursday night, Friday night, and Saturday morning to help form a vision for our students.  It was overwhelming to see this large number commit to improving our schools.  Along with the school board members and administrative team, there were parents, grandparents, former graduates, coaches, staff members, business leaders, post-secondary education officials, religious leaders, and even students making up this awesome group.  

So many people think that school is just about academics, and without losing sight of their importance, in today’s ever-changing society, schools need to be concerned about so much more.  The days of simply teaching only knowledge are gone.  Our students need to be ready to compete in the world of work, and preparing them for that task is our job.  I say “our” because we all have an investment in the future of our youth.  Don’t we want them to be successful adults?  Don’t we want them to be skilled in their field?  Don’t we want them to come back to our community?  Don’t we want them to build homes here?  Don’t we want them to open businesses here?  All of that success and economic growth begins with a seed, and that seed is education.  

After this 3-day impressive experience that all began with a conversation between a small-town business owner and our new superintendent, that seed has been fed with showers of ideas and nutrients of goals.  Now it’s our responsibility to be informed.  I encourage each of you to read the newspaper, be aware of the fliers in the local businesses, look at the LC webpage.  And if you don’t have a computer or internet at home, stop in the middle school in Casco or the high school in Luxemburg. Their libraries are open to the public after school (until 5:00 in Casco and 5:30 on Luxemburg).  Use the facilities that run because of your tax dollars.  

What is in the best interest of our students?  As a parent and as a teacher, I can’t do it alone.  We have all heard the statement, “It takes an entire village to raise a child.” Please keep your ears and eyes open to obtaining the facts about future of our schools which is also the future of our community.  The seed has been planted, and I hope each of us can do our part to grow that seed into a beautiful plant for all of us to enjoy.