Mayor Susan Kluttz visited Salisbury Academy and spoke to an audience of junior kindergarten through eighth grade students, their parents and their teachers.
Kluttz shared her appreciation for the role the school plays in preparing the children of Salisbury to succeed both now and in the future.
The mayor said during her 12 years as mayor of Salisbury she has seen many changes. She said Salisbury Academy has adapted to a changing society and is preparing students to succeed through a focus on technology, speaking a second language, character and community service.
Communicating through technology will be vital in the future of our children. Already, many young Americans’ main mode of communication is through texting, e-mail, video and Internet social networks.
Kluttz said Salisbury is installing fiber optics to every home and business in the city in order to deliver broadband Internet (as well as cable). This will benefit schools as a means for the delivery of educational content.
People are becoming more transient. Odds are increasing that today’s students will travel to or work in another country, thus increasing the need for them to speak a second language.
Kluttz specifically mentioned the increase in Salisbury’s Spanish-speaking population and applauded Salisbury Academy for teaching Spanish in all grades.
Although more people are communicating technologically, face-to-face interaction is still of great importance. The mayor relayed her appreciation for manners as a sign of respect. She iterated the value of good character ó all traits that need to be continued and strengthened. Kluttz said Salisbury Academy students demonstrate outstanding character to her when she visits the school.
With funding cuts to many community organizations, Kluttz said there is a need to give back more than ever.
She encouraged Salisbury Academy students to continue in their many efforts to give back to their community and expressed gratitude for Salisbury Academy students serving the elderly in nursing homes, young children in day care centers, Faithful Friends, Rowan Helping Ministries and many other community organizations.
Kluttz commended Salisbury Academy for recognizing and meeting these needs.
After Kluttz spoke to the group, several students approached her with an engaging smile and a firm handshake ó something she had just mentioned as keys to success.
The students explained to Kluttz they learn and practice different ways of greeting their classmates during “morning meetings” each day.
Kluttz told Salisbury Academy’s head of school, Diane Fisher, she feels responsibility for sharing with children the importance of respect and manners and for praising children for exhibiting them.