CAPE GIRARDEAU PUBLIC SCHOOLS BELONG TO EVERYONE IN COMMUNITY

Very often a first-grader will drive by her elementary school with her grandparents and declare proudly, "That's my school." A teen-ager will be coming out of the movies and overhear someone making a comment about the Central High School play and will say, "Wait a minute, that's my school you're talking about." A parent, aunt, uncle or grandparent will be showing relatives around town, drive by an elementary school and sigh fondly and say with sentiment and nostalgia, "That's where I went. That's my school." Teachers say it. Businesspeople say it. From time to time, we all say with pride, "That's my school. And we are exactly right, regardless of age, time, race or income. The school belongs to all of us.

This idea of school ownership will serve as a guidepost for us throughout the school year. I believe that everyone in the community has a great degree of ownership and investment in the Cape Girardeau School District. We owe our allegiance to the school, because it affects each of us in so many ways. It has helped to develop our skills, influenced our perspective on life, shaped our values, given us memories that last a lifetime and continues to do so for every new kindergarten student who enters the building each year.

Unfortunately, the further we get away from actually being in school, even as parents of students, we tend to feel less a part of the school program, feel less commitment and less ownership. My goal as superintendent, and one of the goals of your Board of Education, is to reduce and eliminate any feeling or perception that anyone in the community is a stranger or should feel unwelcome to participate in some important aspect of the educational program of this school district.

I know there is a great deal of community pride in our school system. Prior to accepting a position here, I made a point of asking about the attitude and support of the community regarding schools. Although the district has experienced some recent turbulence regarding several issues, I am continually impressed with the positive comments I receive regarding teacher dedication and district pride in outstanding academic and co-curricular programs. Later, on numerous occasions, people have told me that if there is ever anything they can do to be of help to the school, just ask.

Now I'm asking.

I believe that if you're 8 years old or 80, there is a place for you to show an interest and get involved in the development of educational programs and efforts that are good for our kids and our community. We are embarking upon one of the most exciting and progressive times in the history of the district. Buildings are new or recently renovated. A state-of-the-art career and technology center is under construction. Instructional technology has expanded incredibly in the last 18 months. Finally, there is the anticipation of a new high school to serve our community into the next millennium.

Our district theme is: "Together We Can Renew the Vision and Maintain the Mission." These achievements are all the results of community support and leadership and a desire to plan for our children's future ... today.

Whose is the school? It belongs to all of us. It becomes exactly what we expect it to be and what we are willing to work to make it become. My pledge to you is to do my best and to invite your cooperation and participation in joining me in making our public schools even better. I encourage each one to make that commitment with me. After all, it's our school.

Dr. Dan Steska is superintendent of the Cape Girardeau School District.