As kids head back to school the next couple of weeks, I think about a Dr. Seuss quote that is fitting this time of the year.  “You’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!” Whether you are a school age kid, a teacher, or any member of the school staff, this positive outlook and new beginnings is refreshing.

We all need to keep the frame of mind Dr. Seuss did.  Stop worrying about the small things and those you can’t control.  Stay positive and be optimistic about the direction your life is going.  Stop looking in the past and keep your attention to the road you have ahead of you.

The schools, and society are beginning to get back to a degree of pre-pandemic normalcy.  The pandemic brought to light the need for a return of counselors and social workers to our school systems.  The harmful effects of isolation caused by remote learning and the cancellation of arts and sports programs have been a hot topic during and since the pandemic.

In a lot of ways schools, and their extracurricular activities are just an arm of our own biological families.  Today, more than ever, our schools are so much more than just learning reading, writing and arithmetic.  They are there to provide guidance, support, structure, and direction in these trying times for our youth. With all of this, we all need to remember that educating our children needs to
first begin at home.  Respect for their classmates and school staff needs to be a focal point.  It shouldn’t matter how different someone is from you, whether it’s the interests they have, or otherwise.  Teach respect to them, like you would any other course or topic.  Respect for themselves, leads to respect for those around them.

Our schools aren’t the only place where there are new beginnings.  At the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office, we are off to great places, just as Dr. Seuss proclaimed.  Not only do we have the new addition of Gary Green as our Undersheriff, but soon we will have Casey Nemeth taking over Administrative Sergeant responsibilities, while Joe Marshall will be our new Investigative Deputy.  With the administration we have in place, our road, and corrections divisions, I feel Casey and Joe will only make our office more efficient in their new roles and we will be able to provide better service to the members of our community.

Casey will be extremely helpful to the staff with his experience and knowledge and will make sure we are running efficiently.  Joe, with his work ethic, investigative tools, and ability to communicate, will be a perfect complement to Detective Sergeant Mike Mohr.

Our schools locally and the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office are in great hands.  Whether it is the staff, including the coaches and social workers, or the School Liaison Officers, MCSO Deputy Jason Losinski and BRDPS Officer Andre Torres, know they are all vested and looking out for the wellbeing of our
children.  To quote a line from the television series, Friday Night Lights, “Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.”  Starting this school year, and with our changes at the MCSO we should all have this hope and optimism.