Challenging school year teaches valuable lessons
Columnists, Opinion
 By  Staff Reports Published 
3:46 pm Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Challenging school year teaches valuable lessons

FRANKLIN LIVING— It is hard to believe this school year is quickly coming to a close. When we first started school in August, we were unsure what to expect. We prepared the best we could for having in-person learning during a global pandemic. We took precautions, we wore masks, we changed our everyday routines, and we did all we could to keep things as normal as possible for our students.

Nevertheless, it just simply wasn’t normal.

Day by day, week by week, and month by month, we continued to move forward. Our students adapted, our teachers and staff adjusted, and here we are, less than a month from graduation, and we have been so fortunate to have maintained our in-person learning environment, our athletic seasons and our extracurricular and fine arts activities.

This was due in large part to the commitment of everyone at RCS doing their part to limit the spread of this virus. It truly takes a village sometimes, and I’m thankful for our village every day. Our students thrived this year amidst the adversities they faced, and that has been inspiring to see.

While this hasn’t been an ideal year by typical standards, I do believe we will come out of the 2020-2021 school year stronger and better because of the adversities we have faced.

I know for myself, this school year has taught me to not take anything for granted and to truly enjoy both the small and big moments. It’s given me greater insight into each job our teachers and staff perform and how necessary each person and position is to the functioning of our system. It’s shown me the true resilient spirit that exists in this system and and in this community. It’s taught me to be thankful for each day we have and to make the time we have count.

And it’s shown me how kindness, compassion, consideration and cooperation can make a huge impact, no matter the situation we face.

I know this year has been so difficult for so many, but I hope each person can find that silver lining in the storm and that we can all look with hope toward better days to come.

In the final weeks of such an unprecedented school year, I’m prouder than ever to conclude these thoughts by saying, “It’s GREAT to be a Golden Tiger!”


Heath Grimes is the Russellville City Schools superintendent.

Also on Franklin County Times
County school board adopts $52M budget
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE Franklin County Schools has adopted a $52 million budget for fiscal year 2026, reflecting a $2.5 million increase over last year. The bud...
Judge denies YO status for Phinizee
Main, News, Z - News Main
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
September 17, 2025
FLORENCE — Youthful offender status was denied Tuesday for a 17-year-old charged with the death of a 13-yearold during what authorities said was a rob...
RCS passes $43.3M budget
Main, News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- The city school board has approved a $43.3 million budget for the 2025-26 school year. Chief Financial Officer Lisa Witt said revenues...
Program tackles stress of caregiver burnout
News, Records, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- Many people deal with caregiver burnout. Kids and Kin childcare partner Marquita Wilson presented a program at the Russellville Public...
Flavil Wayne McCaig
Obituaries
September 17, 2025
Flavil Wayne McCaig Sept. 12, 2025   Flavil Wayne McCaig, 82, of Russellville, passed away Sept. 12 at his residence. He was born March 3, 1943, to Au...
Cultura Garden Club begins its year with roses and plans for fall
Columnists, News, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
September 17, 2025
The Cultura Garden Club held its first meeting of the year. President Cheri McCain presided. She provided information on projects and programs for the...
We can’t afford to lose electric vehicle industry
Columnists, Opinion
September 17, 2025
In Alabama, we understand what it means to build things that matter. We’ve long been home to builders and winners – our steel won wars and built the s...
Firefighters, cadets honor 9/11 with stair climbs
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Firefighters and RHS JROTC cadets participated in a stair climb in recognition of the 24th anniversary of 9-11. Sgt. Grant Tarascou and...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *