"You will get out of it what you put into it!"

My testimony and thoughts on school in South Carolina . . .

My children are all teenagers now and have attended the Richland II School District Schools since First Grade and Kindergarten. I can not say enough good things about the many programs at the schools. The bottom line though is this: all children are capable of having a great school experience here in the Columbia area if you as the parent are actively involved in their 'school' lives. Actively involved means that you must make school your child's Number 1 priority. If they are doing well academically, then they earn the privaledge of school extra-curricular activities. Our children need to see that we as parents also make time to support the community and their schools by volunteering at the school or at school events in some way.

School can truly be a stablizing component of a child's life no matter what their other experiences in life might be. I have found the teachers, principles, and coaches to be remarkable and dedicated to their professions.

Thanks, Anne Collins