Labor Day: Time to Reflect on Our Great Nation

“Without labor nothing prospers.”
- Sophocles

Every first Monday in September is Labor Day. This U.S. holiday celebrates the American labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of workers. 

Labor Day also gives us a chance to recall the history of our great nation. The holiday originated during one of American labor history’s most dismal chapters. In the late 1800s, at the height of the Industrial Revolution in the United States, the average American worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks in order to eke out a basic living. 

As manufacturing began to outplace agriculture as the wellspring of American employment, labor unions, which had first appeared in the late 18th century, grew more prominent and vocal. On September 5, 1882, 10,000 workers took unpaid time off to march from City Hall to Union Square in New York City, holding the first Labor Day parade in U.S. history.  

Each year, this holiday continues to let us pay tribute to the American worker, who created so much of our strength, freedom and leadership.  Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

Looking Forwardto Really BIG Year

The beginning of a new year is always an exciting time, and we are looking forward to a really BIG year.

Perhaps you have seen some pretty large letters moving around the district. Those letters form the framework and focus for our year. The B signifies Believe in Our Vision. Our vision is Quest for Excellence—Success for All Students. Our goal is to see students reach new levels of learning.

I—Infuse Rigor and Excellence: Instruction in the classroom should be challenging for our students, and we want them to learn how to think critically  and to solve problems. No longer will basic comprehension knowledge meet the demands of the world of tomorrow that our students will enter.

G—Give Your Best: We all have to give our best in order to succeed. Striving to continuously improve will make a positive difference in achievement.  We all have to give our best—all of the individuals who make up MISD as well as our students, parents, and business and community partners.

This is going to be an incredible year. Please check our website for tips on getting the year off to a good start and for back-to-school information. 

And then on Monday, let the learning begin.