I’d like to publicly thank Marysville Police Commander Robb Lamoureux, Parks and Recreation Director Jim Ballew and City Council member Jeff Vaughan for taking the time to meet with every student at Totem Middle School this past week to educate us about the problem of graffiti in our community and to engage our kids in the important job of coming up with a solution that works. In the session I attended, the kids were attentive and asked thoughtful questions. These city leaders made the powerful point that we really are all in this together — hurting any part of our community is hurting ourselves. I believe the kids got the message loud and clear.

The effort of these community leaders is a great example of the belief that education is all of our business. As important as they are, schools cannot do the job alone. Marysville must become a truly educative community where we all do our part, where our kids have regular interactions with caring adults from all areas and where each of us treats every child as our own. I believe we are well on our way.

Jim Strickland, Teacher,

Totem Middle School