By MICHELLE REID

We are all aware of and even likely participating in the excitement surrounding the upcoming Super Bowl game. There are 12th Man flags everywhere and blue and green colors being sported on every corner, in our schools, and in most places of work.

Young and old, athletes or not, we are all united by the excitement and energy of the Seahawks’ season and big game ahead. We are actively engaged!

Imagine what that energy would be like supporting all of our young people and their studies. The importance of parent and community engagement in the schools is critical to the success of each child as well as the future success of our community as a whole.

In a recent article, Thomas Friedman, three time Pulitzer Prize- winning columnist for the New York Times, wonders; “Are we falling behind as a country in education… because of our culture today: too many parents and too many kids just don’t take education seriously enough and don’t want to put in the work needed today to really excel?” He even goes so far as to wonder if a lagging work ethic might be a possibility for the “key cause of income inequality and persistent poverty in our country.”

In thinking about this possibility, I am reminded that we set both the example and the boundaries for our young people. Our energy, excitement, and engagement in their education are critical predictors of their success. I invite parents and community members to join us, the staff of the South Kitsap School District, in being the 12th person for our students, all of them — no exceptions! Go Seahawks! Go Wolves!

Superintendent Michelle Reid can be reached by email at reid@skitsap.wednet.edu or by phone at 360-874-7001.

Superintendent Michelle Reid can be reached by email at reid@skitsap.wednet.edu or by phone at 360-874-7001.