Moving to new schools is historic event

Those who drove past several Cape Girardeau schools on May 23 and 24 were treated to a rare sight.

Hundreds of schoolchildren took part in a milestone event for the school district, one that likely won't be repeated for decades.

Thanks to the construction of a new Central High School, there is a reconfiguration of grades under way aimed at grouping more appropriate grades together in buildings and creating room for growth. Students to be in grades five through 12 next year all will be affected by the changes.

But this year, they literally got to be a part of that change by helping to move furniture and school supplies from one place to another. Students loaded up items to be moved by the armful on tractor-trailers.

The weather cooperated, and students enjoyed clear skies and relatively school temperatures for the experience.

This wasn't about inexpensive labor for the district, although that certainly was a benefit. This was about making students feel like a part of the process. It gave them ownership of the reconfiguration.