There was a time in the history of the Crossroads area that little country schools dotted the countryside. One and two room school houses offered the education for the farming and ranching families in the area and even to this day reunions for these schools keep the memories alive for the dwindling population of those who attended and provide a historic look into the past for younger generations. As the decades passed, these country schools began to consolidate and soon the small country school almost became a thing of the past. Almost. Fortunately for the Crossroads area, there are still of few of these small public schools in operation providing quality education and much more. Meyersville Independent School District is one such school in the Crossroads area.

Meyersville ISD got its early beginnings as an independent German-English church school as early as 1889 which later consolidated with the existing Meyersville school two miles down the road in 1923. From 1920-1938 there were nine grades housed in one building with two rooms. Over the years, many small area schools eventually closed and consolidated with the

Meyersville school. Since that time, many changes have been made to advance the school but for parents, teachers and students of the Meyersville school the small school setting with quality education is a unique and treasured thing in the fast paced world in which we live.

All Things Crossroads Magazine caught up with Meyersville School Superintendent/Principal, Kelly Dunn. A tour of the school revealed an extensive library and computer room with high tech state of the art technology. Grades Pre-K to eighth grade are educated on the campus facility. Although the school has expanded tremendously

since the early days, the original school building is still on the campus and fully utilized for classrooms. In 1987 a gymnasium was added and most recently a track. A secure wrought-iron fenced playground adds to the safe feeling as the kids play on the grounds.

Cuero ISD is the home district to Meyersville School, but Meyersville is known as a feeder school. With their own school board and decision making abilities, Meyersville students typically attended high school in Cuero upon completing their education in Meyersville.

Veteran teacher Cindy Slovacek has taught at the Meyersville School for 34 years. Starting her teaching career in Meyersville, she retired briefly but has returned to teach part time in junior high history, pre-k and a physical education class. In the 1980’s, the children of the school wrote a history of the community which included the history of the Meyersville School. The project involved the students not only writing the book but taking the photographs as well. In addition, the students created a video; recording some of the history of the school and the community and writing the script to go with the video. It is not often that it can be said that the students of a school compiled their own community and school history book!

Meyersville School’s average attendance currently is 115 students ranging from pre-K to eighth grade and a faculty of 13 teachers covering more than one subject each. Classroom sizes range from 9 to 12 students. The teachers are very flexible and diversified in this regard and giving the teachers the opportunity to know all the students in the school in a more personal way. Slovacek states that the relationship that the teachers have with the students is as if they were their own children. The teachers have the ability to be involved in a child’s education from pre-K to eighth grade. Another aspect of this family atmosphere is that the older students have a tendency to look out for the younger kids. In

the transition from the small campus to the high school scene, the students have flourished and are academically strong as a result of coming from a good foundation. Many Meyersville students have gone ahead to become valedictorians and salutatorians in their high school graduating classes. Because of the smaller classes, students receive more individualized

attention and teachers recognize when a child needs more help on a particular subject. In regard to the rigorous demands that the state places on public schools, Meyersville school is meeting the challenge and excelling according to state standards.

Although somewhat limited, Meyersville School has an active sports program competing in various activities with other small schools in the area. The Meyersville Panthers participate in flag football, volleyball, basketball, track and softball competitively with other small school districts. Again, because the classes are small, a great deal of one-on-one is available to help with developing skills in these sports that can later be applied in the high school competitions.

While the board, faculty and parents desire to maintain the school’s small classroom sizes and individualized attention, student transfers are available for parents who would like to see their child attend a public school such as this. Numbers are important to the school in an attempt to keep class sizes at a minimum. Parents interested can fill out an application that will go before the board who then determines if the child will be accepted in the school.

Although Meyersville offers the country school atmosphere, they still must adhere to the same state standards of any public school. Numerous accomplishments have been received by the school and Meyersville School has maintained an exemplary rating for many years in a

row. Academically, the students have excelled in U.I.L competitions. In addition, National Honor Society and after school programs are in place to help give the students more exposure and help to make them a productive citizen. For the future, Meyersville school has their sights set on expanding their music program and increasing the exposure of other things to their students.

What does Meyersville school have to offer? “Small classrooms, individualized instruction, people who actually care about your child, not just their education, but that care about the whole child.” states Slovacek. “That caring environment, that family environment is something that is very important in our society today.” In a recent classroom discussion, the students were asked to complete the sentence, “Meyersville is…”. According to Slovacek, many of the students completed the sentence by stating that Meyersville is “a happy place to be.” This happy environment opens the door for learning. “Coming from a larger district, to this has been very nice.” states Superintendent Dunn. “You get to see an education system that most people don’t realize probably still exists.”

Go Panthers!!Although school is almost out for the summer, parents that may be interested in sending their children to Meyersville school can call the office during the summer months. Meyersville School is located at 1897 Meyersville Road in Meyersville, Texas. For more information call the school office at 361-275-3639 or visit their website at www.meyersvilleisd.org

www.allthingscrossroads.com | MAY 201510