Dear Editor:

Soon the 2009-10 school year will begin. At the high school that first day back, on August 20, will mean different things. For the 9th graders it will be Freshman Transition Day and they will have the school all to themselves as the staff will assist in making them feel welcome and provide classes and activities designed to get them off to a great start on their high school experience.

For the 10th, 11th and 12th graders that day is not a required day of attendance. Rather, it is a day of opportunity to serve. Students are encouraged to use that day to do volunteer service. Last year we sent a bus load of students to Cedar Rapids to help with flood relief and it was a great experience and we were very proud of our students. This year South Tama is working with the mayors of our local communities to identify projects that could use some student labor. Students can call the high school prior to August I0th to indicate if they wish to serve in the morning, the afternoon, or both.

Community service is a value that we think is important. It comes from the heart and benefits both the community and the student. So, students, you can either “take the day off’, or you can build a memory of service that you will never forget.

Jim Tekippe

High School Principal