Community important part to success in Victoria school district

Victoria is a small quiet community that takes great pride in the appearance of its homes, yards, schools, city park, playgrounds and church, just to mention a few.

Like many other small Kansas communities, Victoria has much to be proud of.

The residents of Victoria take great pride in their church, the Cathedral of the Plains, a living testament to the hard work and determination of their ancestors.

But more than the church, Victoria residents speak volumes about the advantages their children have by attending school in Victoria.

USD 432 boasts of an education system for children ages 4 through 18, encompassing preschool, kindergarten and grades 1 through 12.

Once in high school, students are given the opportunity to take advantage of college courses offered through Barton County Community College. USD 432 offers many extra curricular activities to the entire student body, eliminating no one because Victoria does not have a “cut” process. Yes, it is true; Victoria does not have the many selections larger schools have, but that does not appear to hinder those that elect to continue their education after graduating from Victoria High School.

It is astounding that 85 percent to 90 percent of Victoria High School graduates have continued their education to some form of advanced schooling including two- and four-year universities as well as vocational technical schools. This success rate is attributed directly to the collaboration of teachers, administration, parents and community.

No student is left behind in the Victoria school system because Victoria believes firmly in the old adage, “It takes a community to raise a child.” At any school function you will find not only parents but grandparents, aunts, uncles and just about anyone that lives in Victoria or knows someone that lives in Victoria in attendance.

A school function is a major social event, a time to cheer on the team, to listen to the band, to laugh at a line during the school play or to catch up on the news of the community. In general, everyone cares about the well-being of their neighbor.

Victoria knows its children are its most important natural resource.

Consequently, the education process is not reserved for the classroom alone but continues in everyday events in our lives.

Parents and young adults are 4-H leaders, Scout leaders, religious education instructors, choir directors and athletic coaches; all teaching the children of Victoria the many life lessons that they in turn will hand down to the next generation of Victoria children.

The Victoria community band is the most notable example of students learning from the community.

Realizing the importance of music in our lives, the residents of Victoria, along with the encouragement and determination of the USD 432 band instructor, started the community band. This has given those that once were members of the Victoria middle or high school bands the opportunity to perform once again and in the process mentor young, aspiring musicians. The young learn how much fun band can be and the mature realize gratification from sharing.

No matter what the project or what event you're attending, the ratio of community members to students is always high in Victoria.

This because Victoria firmly believes that it does “take a community to raise a child.”

Jerry Schmidtberger is president of the Victoria USD 432 Board of Education