Members of the community concerned about our school system answered the call to pray Sunday afternoon during what has become an annual event prior to the start of school.
This year’s prayer time called ” Back 2 School Call 2 Prayer” was held at DeKalb Middle School. As in past years it featured several local ministers offering prayers for each school as well as the school transportation staff, athletic activities and band program, law enforcement agencies, and the school board.
Donnie Kelly, Pastor of the First Assembly of God, made opening remarks followed by Director of Schools Patrick Cripps, who spoke briefly about plans for the school year. Alberto Lucio, Pastor of the Iglesia Bethel Church, led the opening prayer and Suzanne Slager sang the National Anthem.
In his remarks, Director Cripps said school system plans for the year include bringing 1 to 1 computer devices (Chrome Books) to every high school student in a few weeks and to 6th to 8th grade students after Christmas; improving literacy and ACT scores; and conducting a feasibility study to determine needs for new schools.
“Thank you for coming today to support our community schools. It takes our entire community to educate students. Even if you currently do not have children in our school system, you are still an integral part of our school community,” said Director Cripps.
“I have some praises that I would like to share with you. We have been fortunate to bring 1:1 computer devices for our students in grades 6-12. Our high school students will get those devices in the next few weeks, and our 6th-8th grade students will receive those devices sometime after Christmas,” he said.
“Also, this year we will take the first step toward building new schools. An architectural firm will conduct a feasibility study to determine the needs for schools in our community”.
“I would like to recognize and thank our School Board members, County Commission members, County Mayor, and our taxpayers for supporting our vision of producing productive community members.”
“Our goals to reach that vision are ongoing and we will continue to work toward a literacy goal of 90% of 3rd graders in DeKalb County reading on grade level by 2020”.
“Also, with literacy being a focus for all students, we expect that our average ACT composite will be a 21 by the year 2020 also”.
“Additionally, all high school students will leave our high school with one or all of the following: a 21 on the ACT, industry certification, and/or college credits. Upon graduation, we want to provide our students of DeKalb County with opportunities and options to be college and career ready.”
“Each step from pre-kindergarten to grade 12 needs our community support. I’m enlisting you to assist us with this endeavor,” said Director Cripps.
Local ministers participating were:
*Dan Gulley, minister at the Smithville Church of Christ (who prayed for DeKalb County High School)
*Bill Robertson, interim pastor of the Smithville First Baptist Church (who prayed for DeKalb Middle School)
*Joel Wood, pastor of the Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church (who prayed for Northside Elementary School)
*Iain Swisher, youth pastor at the Smithville First Assembly of God (who prayed for Smithville Elementary School)
*Jimmy Arms, pastor of the Upper Helton Baptist Church (who prayed for DeKalb West School)
* Dr. John Carpenter, pastor of the Smithville First United Methodist and Bright Hill United Methodist Churches (who prayed for School Transportation Staff)
*Jerry Strait, youth pastor of the Smithville Church of God (who prayed for the athletic department/band)
*Nathan Thomason, pastor of the Outreach Baptist Church (who prayed for the local law enforcement departments
*Isaac Gray, pastor of the Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Church (who prayed for the School Board)