What's Really Important

By Scot Cheatham

What meaning of Substance are we teaching our kids?

Strangely, my thought fell to the word Substance. I think that when we first think about substance, we think about the things we have...the house, the cars, the bank account, our businesses....and maybe even our school. If you look up the dictionary definition of substance, these things qualify.

However, I think that it is time that we take a broader look at what is really substantial in our lives. And more importantly, which meaning of substance are we teaching to our children? One other definition of substance found in the dictionary is "the essential part of a thing...or its essence."

I can assure you that if our children grow up with the idea that real substance is a house or a car, they will end up being disappointed. However, if we can teach them that intangible things are really substantial...like friendships, the joy of learning, the respect for other viewpoints, the work toward a common goal.....only then will we be proud of the legacy that we are creating.

Let's teach them directly, and by our example, what is really substantial in this district community. It is my sincere belief that when we work together to reunify this community, we will create something of real substance. Our School Board must take the initiative to make this happen. Only then will we have something more enduring than just a great school district.