SCHOOL PLANS PEP RALLY AT SHOW ME CENTER

Cape Girardeau Public School's new superintendent Neyland Clark plans to start school with a pep rally for the educational team.

Team members, including local business leaders, teachers, cafeteria workers, custodians and school support staff, will meet Wednesday at the Show Me Center.

Classes begin Sept. 3.

"What we're going to do set the tone and direction we will be moving for 1991-92 school year," Clark said. "We wanted to bring everyone together so we all know where we're heading and have a sense of belonging to the educational team."

The direction, Clark said, will be toward higher standards for students and staff.

Three speakers will each speak about higher standards. On the agenda are Southeast Missouri State University president Kala Stroup, Terry Steward, assistant state commissioner of education, and Clark.

"It all relates to raising standards and raising expectations for our students, our staff and ourselves. We all need to reach higher," Clark said.

"We wanted to allow all our staff to participate in opening of school," Clark said. "The certified staff and the support staff. It is also an opportunity to see who we really are collectively."

Clark likes a team approach in schools. "We recognize the interdependence of everyone," he said. "And we expect ourselves to treat one another with respect, dignity, kindness and importance."

The tone for this school year, he said, was set at the Board of Education retreat held in July.

"Basically we will be talking about higher expectations and what it means to work within the Cape Girardeau Public Schools."

He said business and community leaders are also being invited to let more people know about the goals of the school district.

Clark anticipates that 600 to 700 people will attend the Wednesday meeting which begins at 8 a.m.

The Show Me Center was selected as the meeting site because "it's the only facility large enough to hold that many people with the exception of our large gymnasiums. And those are not air conditioned."

Clark said a "spirit of service" will be emphasized as well.

"Harry Rediger will the United Way will also says something," Clark said. "I think this shows the renaissance of our mission and also our role within the community.

"We are working to develop a spirit of service so we can serve our students and staff better."

In addition to the back to school event Wednesday, a new teacher orientation is planned Monday.

On Wednesday afternoon, staff members will report to their respective buildings for meetings.