05/30/2019
Dear CHS Faculty and Staff:
Today I closed the door to the CHS Media Center for the last time. The building that I have called home for the last 16 years...my office now looks so empty.
I have absolutely loved being a media specialist at Cairo High School. It was a much better educational career choice for me than the years I was a classroom teacher, because instead of being around just 20-25 students every day in a classroom, I was exposed to many of the 1100-1200 students that would make their way into my home, the CHS media center. So, closing this door today felt a little hollow. I have come to love so many of the students that have walked through these doors since my first day here in 2003. This place has been a quiet place to read and study for some, but for many it has been their safe place. I believe they have felt safe, secure and loved in this building. I have had so many that started coming in when I began opening the media center at 7am every morning. When I was a classroom teacher, I knew that some of my students were not sent off to school with a smile, or told to have a good day, or told they were loved, (which is what I did for my son). So, for some, I was the first person they saw when they got on campus at 7am and I tried to treat them as I did my own...with a smile, "good morning", "did you have a good weekend?", "how are your classes going?", "do you have a test today? Just do your best and I know you're going to do great!" This is what I will miss the most. The one-on-one interaction with these precious souls that sometimes come from homes that are so much more chaotic than our own. So as I packed up and closed the door for the last time today, I remembered how blessed I have been to have known these kids.
CHS Teachers, here's a little housekeeping information for you.
I have been the CHS Webmaster since 2003 and today that responsibility will be turned over to Jenny Harrison, so please contact her if you want anything on the CHS website
I have also been responsible for making all the computer lab reservations, so next year when you need to reserve a lab,you will email [email protected].
I have been the one responsible on the Technology Committee for completing all the paperwork, getting signatures, and submitting to Chris Guest to get websites unblocked that you have requested. John Everett has served on this committee with me from the beginning, and Mr. Lokey will be appointing someone to replace me and serve with Mr. Everett. Mr. Lokey will let you know who to contact when you need to get a website unblocked next year.
I have served as our PAGE Building Contact person for many years and have enjoyed sending out PAGE information as I receive it. Mr. Lokey will be appointing someone to serve as the new Building Contact person for next year.
In 2008, after Congress passed the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act, we were under an order to present an Internet Safety lesson to every student. That first year, I taught it to every student at CHS. After the first year I only had to teach it to the incoming 9th graders each year. It has been my favorite lesson to teach students. They are very attentive and interested in it! Thank you to the English teachers that let me interrupt your classes every semester. Mrs. J. Harrison will be teaching this beginning next year.
I began this page a few years back for our media center and have been the administrator for it, but today it will be turned over to Mrs. Harrison.
As a media specialist here at CHS, I have enjoyed my other responsibilities that have included overseeing the library budget and maintaining a welcoming, organized and positive learning atmosphere. One of my greatest joys has been maintaining our collection by adding and ordering books that students requested because it kept them coming in to read and helped us have a good relationship with them.
So as I closed this door today, I wish you, my teacher friends, a happy summer! You have worked your hearts out this year and it's time for you to close your own door...at least until July 29th! 😃😎
With my whole heart,
Debbie Childs, Ed.S
Cairo High School Media Specialist, Dept. Head
CHS WebMaster
PAGE - Building Contact Representative
455 5th Street S. E.
Cairo, GA 39828
229-307-1739
"Every child in America should have access to a well-stocked school library."
~Laura Bush~
