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theview
theview
August 2014
Arlington Community Schools Ribbon Cutting
challenges
the
municipalities had
overcome
in
pursuing municipal
schools
and
extend ed
their
congratulations and
best wishes for the
schools’
future
achievements. A
copy of Senator
Norris’ remarks
follows this article.
“Our
Legacy
Begins with You”
proclaimed
the
banner welcoming
faculty members
from
Arlington
Community Schools
to a District-wide
Teacher Inservice on
July 28, reminding
those in attendance
of the important role
they play in shaping
our community’s
future.
Here we go...
Staff Photo
Members of the Arlington High Tiger
Band Drum Line perform for Teacher
Inservice.
Staff Photo
Elected Officials from the Arlington Community School Board, Arlington’s Mayor and Board of Alderman, Shelby County Mayor
Mark Luttrel, Shelby County Sheriff Bill Oldham, Education Consultant Jim Mitchell, and State Senator Mark Norris join Superintendent Tammy Mason and Arlington’s four school principals to officially dedicate and open the Arlington Community Schools.
Remarks Delivered by
Senator Mark Norris at the
Dedication of Arlington
Community Schools,
Saturday, July 19, 2013
The State Slogan is “Tennessee America at its best.” And I say, “Arlington
is Tennessee at its best!”
History never looks like history when
you’re in the midst of making it. Ladies and
gentlemen, you're making history today!
This is a historic moment in time.
The dedication of a school is not unlike a
consecration. Though this is not a church, it
is akin to sacred space: a place to nourish the
hearts and minds of offspring—youthful
descendants of history—the hope of that
which is yet to come.
It was in that spirit we first dedicated this
place ten years ago. Then, a single school
within a system; today, a system in and of
itself—the Arlington Community Schools.
It is in that spirit we do so again today,
firm in the conviction that what is best for
our children is also best for our families and
the community at large. Mindful of the
responsibility we bear. And, joyful for
parental choice, we remain hopeful in the
prospects for neighborhood schools and new
beginnings.
We give thanks today for all who worked
to make this moment possible and the
Divine Providence which brings us here.
By this dedication today, we build a
bridge. We span the chasm. We endeavor to
close the gaps which divide us and open
new horizons which unite us.
Let us, by this dedication, rededicate
ourselves to the education of our youth and
the principal that unification without unity
can only fail without knowledge which
yields the wisdom to prevail.
“An old man going a lone highway,
Came, at the evening cold and gray,
To a chasm vast and deep and wide.
Through which was flowing a sullen tide
The old man crossed in the twilight dim,
The sullen stream had no fear for him;
But he turned when safe on the other side
And built a bridge to span the tide.
“Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim near,
“You are wasting your strength with
building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day,
You never again will pass this way;
You’ve crossed the chasm, deep and wide,
Why build this bridge at evening tide?”
The builder lifted his old gray head;
“Good friend, in the path I have come,” he
said,
“There followed after me to-day
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm that has been as naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be;
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building this bridge for
him!”
8
God Bless You.