To the Editor:
“Oh, bless your heart.”
That is the response I often get when I tell people where I work. While I am thankful for the sentiment, I would like to clear up some of the misconceptions and lack of understanding of what Statesville High School is all about.
There are many in the community who have voiced their concerns about my school. Many people think it is a place of chaos, danger, and lower quality of learning than other schools. Others think that our students are in some ways of lesser value or maybe less civil than others. I can assure you that these statements come from false information and ignorance.
If you take the time to look at the number of students who have gotten into physical altercations at our school, you would see that the percentage who have been involved in a car accident is higher than the percentage of students who have gotten into fights at the school.
Here’s the truth:
Statesville High School serves students from all demographics, cultures, religions, sexual orientation, poverty levels, and backgrounds. Some of our students come to school because it might be the only time during a day when they are guaranteed food; some come after moving to this country because they want to receive an American education; some come because they are simply in that attendance zone; and some come from outside of our school boundaries because of the great opportunities our school has to offer. Our differences are what make us great. Despite having all these different backgrounds and challenges, our students develop great relationships with each other and work together to better themselves and achieve whatever level of academic proficiency they get. I state this because our test scores are often under attack as well. Some of our students start high school on a third-grade reading level, and our teachers work hard to bring them up at least six years of proficiency if not more. Although all of our students don’t graduate reading on grade level, having this knowledge puts things in perspective.
I have worked at this school by choice for most of my career, and I have had the privilege to work with some of the kindest, most dedicated, and hardworking people I have ever met. It is much easier to teach in a school where many of the trials I have mentioned don’t occur. Our staff has been tempered by these challenges and have come out better because of them, as have our students. These challenges and differences are what makes us stronger. Our students have to overcome poverty, discrimination, culture shock, bigotry, and even misconceptions held by our community to show how accomplished and worthy they are.
Many people in this community are graduates of this school and know what it truly was. If you come see what we are all about, you will learn that Statesville High is still a great school.
Once a Greyhound, always a Greyhound.
My response to myself when someone says to me “Bless your heart” is simple. I am blessed because of the staff and students I see every day.
Editor’s Note: The writer is a teacher at Statesville High School.
Good letter well written. When is Cryin’ Bryan Sloan coming to officiate the cage match?
Bless YOU and all who teach our children. My own children are grown and gone, and my grandchildren are in other school districts, but my taxes are important to the schools and children here. We need to remember that education is what lifts people up, and never begrudge the tax dollars needed to do so. We need to elect people who want our children to succeed in whatever they choose to do, not those who want to force their own personal beliefs on all.
Thank you for your positive attitude. Negative sentiment never makes things better. I am a retired teacher who worked at SHS for twenty years. Best regards for stating facts that are overlooked. Continue to uphold your mission to make a difference in school and community.
I WILL ALWAYS LOVE & APPRECIATE ALL OUR EDUCATORS, THANK YOU!!!!
SHS is not the only school where fights have happen; my daughter attends WIHS and there has been plenty of fights there this year but you don’t hear about those incidents. WHY? A child committed SUICIDE at Mooresville High School. Yet that $35 million is not being spent for mental health counselors for OUR CHILDREN in schools, or raises for our teachers so we can stop losing the experienced ones to charter schools!
Northview Academy, where OUR CHILDREN are called throw away kids, the last stop school where you are sent to do absolutely nothing all day long with the teachers because of behavior issues with no one to care to find out why or counselors that they feel comfortable with.
Let’s not forget Third Creek Elementary!!
These schools have no PTA, where parents or community members can be involved and assist the schools and students with programs outside of schools. The only schools you will ever hear about is the minority majority. PARENTS YOU HAVE A VOICE! USE IT!
Thank you for this well written letter. We probably taught there together at some point. I had so many great students that still keep in touch with me. My own children are successful SHS graduates and I am proud to have worked there. There are so many backward people that live in Statesville. Think about it. Why did Mooresville and then Troutman become so successful and yet Statesville never advances?
So very well said! Thank you!
Thank you! SHS has always had teachers who cared and taught to their very best!
SHS Class of 1960
Loved every year of the six years I taught at SHS. The administration and staff was outstanding. My heart fills with joy and love each time I have a former Greyhound holler my name in public and come give me a hug. Once a Greyhound, always a Greyhound!!!
K Morrison
Amen!