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Keota Public School would like to
thank the community of Keota and its patrons from all around the area
for the incredible support you have given our district the last couple
of months. You have given time and money from your heart, and we
honor your desire and determination to continue the education of your
children in our small rural community. A special thanks to Pat
Maxwell, who through leadership and dedication exemplifies what it
really means to be a Keota Lion.
Something incredible began on Sept
21st with a country-style Sunday Dinner, roast beef and all the
fixings. That was followed with a local pie supper which turned out to
be a $38,000 event on September 27th. What happened then could have
only happened when a lot of heart, determination, and resolve was
coupled with hard work and self-sacrifice. For the next 57 days, many
of you stepped up with a willingness to give beyond any reasonable
expectation and your efforts paid off at an amazing $2,904.80 per
day. The remarkable progress we have made has shown we can rise to
the challenge before us, but only through working together and moving
ahead can we accomplish the task before us. It's all about our
children, so keep up the good work. For a look back at the "SAVE
KEOTA SCHOOL" FUNDRAISERS,
CLICK HERE
FUNDRAISER TOTAL AS OF NOVEMBER
16TH IS $165,573.88. |
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Looking Back on A Year of
Challenges
I am a teacher. Thirty years
ago I came to this realization. I could have done other things,
but teaching is not just what I do, it is what I am. And when
faced with challenges in education, this is what gets me through from
day to day, year to year. It has always been my belief that
teachers are among the most dedicated people and loyal co-workers, and
not only teachers, but everyone from support personnel to
administrators. We share a common goal, the education and training of
the next generation. That belief was raised to a new level
during the past school year, a year that challenged each of us in ways
we could have never imagined. It was a year that tested our
patience, strengthened our resilience, and expanded our minds.
You may say, "isn't every year like that?" Yes, that is true,
but it usually comes from inside, not outside, the classroom.
For the first time for some teachers and administrators, they were
asked to perform duties they had previously been compensated for, with no compensation, some were asked to resign, and all were expected
to perform these duties with little or no explanation as to the
actions being taken. These conditions made for a very unsettling
and stressful year. In spite of this, we continued to be true
and loyal to our profession, we are teachers. Teachers that have
dedicated ourselves and our lives to the education of your children.
We taught through it all, sending a clear message to this community,
we care about your children. We turned off lights, cut down on
heat and air, used less supplies, covered each others classes when
necessary, worked at many of the fund raisers, and struggled to make
ends meet at home, while at the same time maintaining the quality
education of every student in every grade. I recently read a
quotation that I believe every teacher carries in their heart of
hearts. "To the world, I may be only one person, but to one person, I
may be the world."
The "Saving of Keota School" was
definitely a community effort, and those who were part of it should be
proud. Not only in their accomplishment, but in their people and
their school system. It is a great feeling to know that our
community could rise to the financial challenge with amazing results,
and a wonderful feeling to know I am member of a faculty and staff so
dedicated to our profession.
DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE IS NOT INTENDED TO
EXPRESS THE FEELING OR SENTIMENT OF KEOTA PUBLIC SCHOOL, BUT AS THE
OPINIONS AND THOUGHTS OF ONE PERSON. |