Character Counts: Citizenship

I had the privilege to be a part of the Storm Lake Elementary School Character Counts assembly today. The pillar for the month was Citizenship, and my small part was to talk to the students briefly about Digital Citizenship. Now, you have to realize that I spend most of my educational time these days with adult learners. The opportunity to talk to kindergarten through fourth graders was very special. From the Pledge of Allegiance, to the Star Spangled Banner, to the fired up teachers with the purple stars, to the press box of students taking pictures and videos of the event, to the high school students who came in their uniforms and costumes from all the activities they are involved in to encourage the young students to get involved in the SLCSD community, to the sea of purple representing good citizenship, to the cheering and the wave, to the little students shouting out answers to my questions during my short presentation, it was a truly moving experience. I suppose I am nostalgic because my babies are eighteen years old and graduating from high school this year, but I think it's more than that. It's the very special nature of the Storm Lake Community Schools and the love and dedication of the teachers, the students, the administrators, the staff members, and all the community stakeholders. There are so many who dream such big dreams for the future of these kids. Good citizens one and all!