Alma Intermediate School August Newsletter – A Child’s Future Comes Quickly
From the Principal…
It finally happened! There stood a former student, syringe in hand, ready to administer an immunization in my arm. She recognized me and must have seen my expression because she said, “I’ve given a lot of these so you know I’ve had some practice.” I laughed and told her this is just one of the many reasons it’s wise to be nice to your students. They grow up! And sometimes they’re holding a medical needle the next time you see them.
When I first started teaching, it felt like we were preparing students for some far off future. Now, the future seems much closer. Every minute of learning time is important. When students are active learners, many more options are available to them as they move through life.
Daughters a few short years ago.
I’ve experienced this sense of urgency as a teacher and a parent. A short time ago, my daughters were in elementary school. Today they are grown, doing work that they find rewarding, and making a positive difference in the world. As a parent, I’m thankful and realize how important every stage of their education was on their path toward adulthood.
Daughters all grown up shown here with my parents and our new son-in-law.
At AIS, our goal is to squeeze as much learning as possible into grades 3, 4, and 5. Our mission is to prepare students for successful living, now and in the future, a future that will come quickly.
Thank you for giving us the honor of working with your child. We look forward to building strong relationships with our students and watching their success and growth as they move forward.
The following link will open our school newsletter.
Happy Birthday to My Mother
Mother and Daddy in 1956
My mother’s birthday is coming up, and I’ve been thinking about what she’s given to her family and community. Some of my earliest memories are of a mother who was kind, giving, and a friend to all. She and my father got married just before he went to Korea. Their friends collected flowers from homes in Arkadelphia, and they borrowed a wedding arch for the ceremony. Mother worked hard and fast to complete college at Ouachita before my dad got out of the Army and then they began their life together. After teaching a year in South Texas, they moved to El Dorado where I was raised and they still live today.
Jimmy and Elsie Warnock
Their first house payment was $80.00 a month, and she worried about how they would meet that cost every month. They weathered a few hard times along the way but never failed to provide for the needs of their two children. Today, they remain independent in their 80s and continue to serve their community. Mother was a great teacher in public school and at home. She is still a learner today. She often shares new tricks she’s learned on the computer or something she’s read.
I have many memories of sitting with mother in church. Maybe this was because of my restlessness and occasional behavior problems during services. One thing she sometimes did that was annoying at the time was lick her hand and press my hair down. The memory of that is far from annoying, now a special symbol of the attention she gave to my sister and me.
Below is a link to that simple song Becca and I did for her several years ago. It is still true today! “You’ve given hope, you’ve given dreams and helped them come true.” Thank you for your love and commitment. Happy birthday! We love you!
Jimmy & Elsie Warnock
Click this link if you want to hear a somewhat sentimental, but heartfelt, song about the love of a mother.
Principal Notes 