Passing the Baton of Love from Mrs. Willmett, Principal of Betty L. Smith Early Childhood Center

I wrote an article a few of years ago to our Betty L. Smith Early Childhood (BLS) parents entitled, “How I Hope You Feel”. In writing this article, I was thinking about the importance of trust in the parent-school relationship. This is especially true when talking about our youngest learners. Parents need to be able to leave their precious child with us and feel confident that the school teachers and staff will love, nurture, and treat them as their own children, all day, every day. It is bittersweet that I am officially “passing the baton” of leadership of Betty L. Smith Early Childhood Center for the 2021- 22 school year. I am looking forward to leading Seminole Public Schools as the full time Assistant Superintendent and am eager to serve all of the schools in our district. As far as my successor at BLS, I was hoping for someone who I knew would respect our parents and students and have the same sense of responsibility to our families. I also hoped for someone who would value our exceptional teachers and staff and support them in the way they need and deserve. I believe we have found just that person. It is an honor to congratulate Mrs. Angie Parks as the next principal of BLS. Mrs. Parks is finishing up her fourteenth year at Seminole Public Schools. She has served students and families at Wilson Elementary as Teacher and Counselor and at Northwood Elementary as Counselor and Assistant Principal. Mrs. Parks is a lifelong Chieftain and a proud Seminole Public Schools Alumni. When I asked Mrs. Parks what BLS will be like next year, she stated a clear and definite vision for the Chieftain spirit and pride to be exhibited in greater ways in our youngest learners. She wants BLS students to experience unconditional love at her school and with a firm foundation in place, excel in every way. She wants BLS to have a loving presence in the community where all children are not just welcomed, but cherished.

So, how do I want you, dear parent, to feel at every site in Seminole Public Schools? In echoing the words I wrote years ago about how I hope you’ll feel at BLS, this is how I now hope for you to feel at all sites in Seminole Public Schools. I am proud to have the opportunity to lead the district your child attends. When I think of the monumental privilege and responsibility of educating your most prized possession, your baby, I am filled with a sense of deep gratitude. As a mother of four grown children, I remember how it feels to trust someone unknown with your child; it is one of the most fear-provoking experiences. Trust must be earned and we hope to continually earn it. There is nothing or no one more important to you than the precious child you are bringing to our schools. I get it. Your BLS student’s little feet walking into our school belong to your newborn whose sweet toes you kissed over and over. I get it. Those Wilson Elementary student’s hands we hold at school are the most important set of hands to you in all the world. I get it. That pre-teen Northwood student’s grin still makes you swoon with wonder, admiration and pride. I get it. That Seminole Middle School student you entrust to us is unique, funny, and amazing. I get it. That Seminole High School student of yours needs the support of a school family to encourage and love them through the bumpy journey to adulthood. I get it. We at Seminole Schools are very serious about our responsibility and want you to feel the utmost confidence in us. When you walk through our doors, I hope you feel a sense of peace. I hope you feel the respect we have for you as parents, but most of all, I hope you feel love. Thank you for leaving your treasure with us. We get it.