Education Corner

Unprecedented end to the school year

After many accomplishments and much success, the Franklin County Schools were forced to shut down for the safety of employees, students and communities. The public health crisis created by the coronavirus caused an unprecedented end to the school year. The traditions that are characteristic of the school system, such as spring sports, prom and walking across the stage to receive a diploma, became events that had previously been taken for granted. These traditions of old were replaced by social distancing, virtual learning, educational packets, meal plans and, in many cases, anxiety.

The challenges that have been created by the pandemic shifted the focus of traditional education to the physical and emotional well-being of our students, support for parents, safety and the reinforcement of standards taught throughout the school year. These challenges were met with hard work and enthusiasm by the employees of the Franklin County Schools district. Words can never express the gratitude I have for administrators, teachers, CNP workers, bus drivers, nurses, maintenance, custodians, aides, resource officers, board members, EMA, first responders and volunteers.

There was no blueprint for how to handle the challenges created by COVID-19, but the employees of Franklin County Schools handled the situation with willingness to do what’s best for the kids, as they always do.

Senior Class of 2020,

Congratulations! You have reached a significant milestone in your lives. None of us envisioned that the last two months of your senior year would end like they did. There are many special events and traditions you missed as a result of this unprecedented health crisis. It saddens me to know you were not able to experience and enjoy them.

Please know the health crisis DID NOT minimize what you have accomplished over the past 12 years. It brings me great joy to realize your many accomplishments and the lasting impact you will have on your schools.

I wish you all the best in the next chapter of your lives. The word unprecedented will forever be linked to the year 2020. May the Franklin County Schools’ graduates of 2020 accomplish unprecedented achievements throughout the rest of your lives.

Greg Hamilton is superintendent of Franklin County Schools. He and his wife Jessica have four children: Taylor, Carolyna, Dakota and Ty.

RCS shows strength and resilience

What educators and educational staff have experienced during this pandemic is unprecedented. We have had no road map to navigate the situations we’ve found ourselves in. Yet our administrators, our teachers and our staff members have handled this situation with such resilience. They have done whatever needed to be done to make sure our students could finish their school year strong.

Our CNP staff has made sure our students would still be fed. Our custodial and maintenance staffs have kept our schools clean, sanitized and well-maintained. Our administrative staff has planned and strategized and kept operations running. Our teachers are making themselves available to help their students virtually to make this easier for them and their parents. I have heard so many instances of our teachers and staff going above and beyond, and I am proud to call them colleagues. I am thankful for their efforts and for their dedication. Our community should be so proud of each RCS employee and how they have kept our schools afloat during this time.

And speaking of proud, I would be remiss if I didn’t also speak about how proud I am of our students and our parents as well. For our students, ending the school year two months early might have sounded like something exciting at first, but as this pandemic has lingered, our students have missed their fellow classmates, their teachers, their activities and the sense of normalcy they were used to. They have had to adapt and take on even more responsibility when it comes to their education. And our parents have had to step in and help their children adapt to these changes and to going to school virtually, many of whom are doing this while still working and helping their households navigate this pandemic as well. Our students and our parents have showed such resilience and such a commitment to making this work, no matter what.

Ihave said many times that Russellville City Schools is unparalleled when it comes to the quality of educators and staff we have, but for the past month, this statement has never been more true.

None of this has been easy for any of us, but I am so proud of RCS. It’s been an honor to see the Golden Tiger Pride shine through and the spirit of charity and helpfulness that’s been displayed. I truly believe we will all come out stronger and more grateful for the big and small things in our lives than we ever were before. And that’s something I hope we carry withy us for years to come.

As always, it’s GREAT to be a Golden Tiger!