IVA — When I asked my fourth-grader why he liked District 3, his response was, “They have good food.” The first-grader said, “Because they have recess.”

I decided I probably wouldn’t make much more progress with my two other children, so I will share my adult perspectives.

The district offers a range of programs to appropriately support the student who may be struggling as well as challenge those who excel. We have participated in educational opportunities provided by First Steps to prepare parents and upcoming kindergarteners for the elementary school experience.

Guidance counselors begin assessing and guiding students in developing appropriate career choices at an early age. The goal seems to be helping every child achieve and reach his or her potential.

Teachers take interest in their students even after school hours. Most teachers are active in local sports, church activities and community-based social functions. Some are willing to attend sporting events to support members of their class, even when they don’t have their offspring participating, just because students asked.

Teachers know you by name because you interact with them. They have genuine concern for their students because of this interaction. Teachers hug their students and seem to genuinely enjoy their company. Because of these personal relationships between teachers, students and parents, there is a bond of mutual respect and courtesy.

Our quiet, rural setting seems to insulate our district from the drug and gang problems that other schools across the nation seem to be facing. While no system is perfect, programs exist in the school system to support students’ positive self-perceptions and appropriate social decision-making skills.

The entire school staff takes a personal interest and looks out for our children’s safety and well-being. We have seen safety changes such as car rider tags for afternoon pickup and door- lock policy changes. Our locations also allow very easy pickup and drop-off for the car riders, no major traffic issues. It’s really nice to have a school close to home.

The school values parent opinion, inviting us to participate in special projects such as Red Carpet and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation procedures.

Recent technological upgrades have enhanced communication: Web pages, newsletters, e-mails and mass phoning efforts. Parents are encouraged to participate in classroom activities. Our parent groups, although small, completes projects to assist the students and teachers.

The school board is supportive of our community and does a great job of managing the schools. We are privileged to provide the Good News Club program. We eagerly await the addition of a new Flat Rock Elementary School and the Crescent High School soccer program to our growing district.

Our district, like others, needs to survive on limited budgets. Despite financial challenges, I have seen improvement in arts, athletics, and academics with a range to suit a variety of student needs. I look forward to many more years in the growing District 3 school system.

Juli Shea is an Anderson School District 3 resident.