Reader proud that Noblesville Schools is “leading with facts”

Letters to the Editor do not reflect the opinions of The Reporter, its publisher or its staff. You can submit your own Letter to the Editor by email to News@ReadTheReporter.com.

Dear Editor:

I’m a proud parent of a second-grade son at Stony Creek Elementary as well as a daughter who will start kindergarten next year.

As a parent, a person of faith, and an active participant in the Noblesville community, I have spent enough time over the past several years with various cross-sections of Noblesville’s teachers, administrators, support staff, and board members to trust their collective integrity, honesty and decision-making skills.

I can tell you that they are an honorable group. They put the “Noble” in “Noblesville.” And I know that’s kind of cheesy, but I mean it sincerely.

I want to applaud our Noblesville Schools staff, led by Dr. Beth Niedermeyer, for working to keep our kids safe and to keep them healthy while maintaining in-person education. I want to thank them for leading on returning to mask-wearing indoors, as well as the district’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Social & Emotional Learning efforts over the past few years.

This district leadership is not “living in fear,” as some claim, but rather “leading with facts.” And those facts demanded a return to indoor mask-wearing as a way to help mitigate the spread of the Covid-19 virus. They made the right choice for the health of our kids.

The 2020-2021 school year was – all things considered – relatively smooth, despite us being in the middle of a global pandemic. This notable feat was the result of ongoing planning and careful execution of competent and steady leadership. We continue to live through unprecedented times and our leadership has answered the call. To quote Mr. Rogers, “Anyone who does anything to help a child in his life is a hero.”

Our teachers, administrators, staff and board members are – simply stated – not trying to push an ideological agenda on our kids. To suggest otherwise is either misinformed or just plain wrong.

I pray for the health and safety of every student in Noblesville and those who devote their careers to our students’ instruction and development.

To our district teachers, staff and leaders: Thank you for your ongoing heroic work this year. I look forward to continuing to watch my son and – soon – my daughter develop into the next generation of community leaders through Noblesville Schools.

Curtis Honeycutt

Noblesville