by Ms. Beth Wilder
Board of Education Huntsville City Schools District 2
As a parent of a Huntsville City Schools’ student and a member of the board of education, I have witnessed our administrative leaders’ exhaustive planning efforts for the new school year over the last few months and under ever-changing conditions. I am impressed by their proactive, diligent, thoughtful, and thorough preparations.
One cannot imagine the undertaking, the countless details, and the numerous scenarios they have had to meticulously consider and address. Superintendent Finley, also a parent of a Huntsville City Schools’ student, has assembled an amazing team. We are blessed by their leadership. Each member has a teacher’s heart and a growth mindset that exemplifies the HCS vision every day with every decision: High expectations, Character driven, Student centered. They understand mindset will determine outcomes.
I recently read a post in Teacher Goals that I slightly modified. It states, “The upcoming school year might be one of the toughest ever. It also might be the most exciting and revolutionary year ever. Mindset will be critical.” As I finalize this article on July 1st, schools are set to open on August 17th. The school year might not run as smoothly as planned, and there might be moments of frustration. Please know that everyone has been and will continue to do their best. Remember, we are each part of the Huntsville City Schools family. We share a common goal: that our students’ safety, educational, and wellness needs are met. The school year will be what we make it, so let us exercise grace and mercy.
Let us be #HCStrong. Let us build #commUNITY. Let us live by the adages instilled in us in childhood:
“United we stand. Divided we fall.”1
“Ask not what your country [or school] can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country [or school].” 2
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” 3
“Teamwork makes the dream work.” 4
These are words to live by and to model for our children, especially when we face challenges and are feeling frustrated, because our mindset will become their mindset and mindset will be critical not just for the coming school year, but for life.
1 Aesop, John Dickinson, Patrick Henry
2 John F. Kennedy
3 Matthew 7:12
4 John C. Maxwell
South Huntsville Neighbors 