Another School Year is About to Begin

This week is the beginning of a new school year in various parts of the country.  The public school system will start classes on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 in the Daviess County Public School System in Owensboro as well as the Owensboro Public Schools in the city school district.  It's time once again for students to head back to school and begin a new year.  The summer has flown by.  Within the last few weeks many retail stores have been selling school supplies as it's time once again to gear up for school.  A new school year means new possibilities and new goals to accomplish.  I wish those that are starting school a great school year regardless whether it be in the public schools, private schools, or homeschool.

Last year I used the verse from II Timothy 2:15 to commence the new school last year.  It says "Study to shew thyself approved, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  This year the theme I desire to highlight is, Preparing Children for the Future.  There's a purpose in sending children to school and spending the millions of dollars that are spent every year for the education of each child.  We don't spend that kind of money just for the sake of spending that kind of money.  We don't require children to receive an education just for the sake of receiving an education.  There's a purpose behind all the money, time, and materials that's used to educate students.  What is that purpose?  It's for the future.  The lives of our young people are hanging in the balance; spiritually as well as life in general.  There will come a day when students will no longer be students in a public school.  There will come a day when they'll graduate from high school and they'll have to make a choice in which direction they desire for their lives to go in the future.  Many students will pursue their studies in a college to pursue a particular career.  They will have to search for a job or some type of career to make a living.  They will have to join the work force to become productive citizens in this society.  Even though job opportunities are bleak at this moment, every person who's a male will have to obtain a job to support his family.  That's what the purpose of education is all about.  It's to prepare students to enter the labor market.

All students possess varying degrees of motivation.  Some are highly motivated, some are moderately motivated, others possess little motivation, and some possess no motivation whatsoever.  It's imperative that parents monitor their children's progress in school and know the level of motivation their child possesses.  Parents have a responsibility to motivate their children to excel and perform their best.  All students don't possess the same capacity to succeed.  However, parents have a responsibility to motivate their children to perform to their highest level in school; regardless of what that level may be.  Students that aren't adequately trained in academics are going to be lacking when they apply for a job following graduation.  It's important students have an adequate foundation in math, reading, science, spelling, history, social studies, elective courses, and the list continues.  One of these days students will have to apply the skills they've learned in school on their careers.  It's important that students are adequately prepared academically when they graduate to compete in the work force.  Employers are looking for employees that are proficient in speaking and writing skills in some occupations.  Students need to be challenged so they can be competitive when it comes time to pursuing a career.  Depending upon the type of vocation some students select, some will need to pursue higher education at a university.  Higher education is becoming more imperative in this society given the fact we are an information and technological society.  Regardless of which vocation students choose, it's imperative that students are pressed to perform at their utmost in school if they ever expect to have a chance to succeed when they are released into the job market.

I want to encourage all the students that are returning to school this year to have a great school year.  Recognize the great responsibility you have to study diligently and learn.  Two important skills for students to master are writing and public speaking skills.  You'll travel a long way in your life if you're a fluent speaker and a prolific writer.  Strive for excellence this school year.