Be present in children's lives

In the past several months a horrific trend of violence has gripped Blytheville. We have had an ever increasing number of gun-related incidents resulting in injuries and death. We have muggings near our schools, in our driveways, and at local businesses.

Many have turned to social media to express their opinion on how to "fix" Blytheville. In the past few weeks I have read: Blytheville needs school choice. Blytheville needs more cops. Blytheville needs a completely new administration in the city and school district. Blytheville needs to pray.

And maybe we do need some or all of these things. But they WILL NOT "fix" Blytheville. The thing that will BEGIN to "fix" Blytheville is to BE PRESENT.

If you have children: BE PRESENT in your child's life. Go to your child's school. Meet the teachers and administration. Not just when you have a problem. From the day they start school until the day they graduate, BE PRESENT. Get your child into an extracurricular activity: Athletics, Band, FFA, FBLA, FCCLA, BASA. And once they are involved, then YOU must become involved. BE PRESENT. I know the coaches, band directors and faculty sponsors would love to have you BE PRESENT.

For those citizens that do not have children in the Blytheville school system the theory still applies to you: BE PRESENT. Go to city council meetings.

Go to school board meetings. Join or create community involvement groups. Contact the Blytheville School district and volunteer.

I was active with the Blytheville Band Program for over five years. Many parents would come for the first meeting of the year and then scheduled concerts. But when it came time to roll up their sleeves and help, there were very few who did and they were usually the same group year after year. With a BHS band with numbers in the 70-80 range, more than 10 (which is a great improvement over past years) adults should be involved on a regular basis.

I will be starting my 8th year as a parent of a BHS student on August 17, 2015. And as such, I can guarantee the administration knows how to reach me. They know all they need to do is pick up the phone and I will be on the way to address whatever issue has come up.

I know parents work. I work. I am also PRESENT.

All we need to begin "fixing" and healing Blytheville is to BE PRESENT.

-- Crystal McCandless

Blytheville