By By Beth Randall / Lauderdale County 4-H director
April 13, 2003
Most people like to feel that they "belong" or "fit in." We like to know that we have people to talk to and friends to hang out with. People who live in the same area are called neighbors. Neighbors help us feel that we "belong" in our community.
Perhaps no one is better known as a "good neighbor" than the late Fred Rogers, creator and host of the popular children's public television program "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood."
As a child, I looked forward to the program each day. I vividly remember singing along with the theme song, which ended with "Won't you be by neighbor?" Then he always said, "Hi neighbor." I always felt like Mister Rogers was talking to me. Mister Rogers taught a generation the importance of citizenship and caring for others.
I hope we can take what Mister Rogers demonstrated on his program and put it into action in our daily lives. I have been fortunate to witness several examples of being a good neighbor.
Being a good neighborhood citizen is more that just meeting your neighbors. It means showing your neighbors that you care about them.
Young people can be good neighbors, too. Some ways to do this are:
Protect a neighbor's newspaper when it's about to rain.
Keep your pets and toys out of your neighbor's yard.
Run an errand for a neighbor.
Take the time to visit with a neighbor who lives alone.
Clean up around the outside of where you live to make your neighborhood look better.
Respect your neighbor's property and privacy. Play in your own yard unless your neighbor has invited you to play in his or hers.
Your schoolmates and teachers are your school neighbors. You and your actions affect them just as much as neighbors living near you. What kind of a school neighbor or citizen are you?
Do you study your lessons regularly?
Do you take an active part in class?
Is your school desk free from any marks that you put there?
Do you show respect for your teacher and classmates by paying attention when they are talking?
Do you get to school on time?
Are you friendly toward your classmates?
Do you use good table manners in the school cafeteria?
Are you careful not to throw trash on the floor or playground at school?
Do you complete your lessons on time?
Do you take care of your school books?
Each item is important for good school citizenship. If you answered "no" to some questions, you have an idea of what you need to work on. If we all do our part, our schools and communities will better places to learn and live.
Records have shown that students who are good school citizens usually turn out to be good all-around citizens when they leave school to take their place in an adult community life. So you can see why schools consider it is important to be a good school citizen.
4-H also gives young people the opportunity to learn to be good citizens. 4-H Clubs participate in community service projects that help citizens of their community.
For more information on how you can be involved in 4-H or community service activities, call your county's office of the MSU Extension Service. The number in Lauderdale County is 482-9764.
Upcoming events:
The 4-H Cloverleaf Club for ages 5-7 will meet Monday at 4 p.m. at the Lauderdale County Extension Office.
The 4-H Share-The-Fun Talent Show and Fashion Show will be April 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the East Mississippi Electric Power Auditorium.
The 4-H Club Council will meet Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the Extension Office. 4-H Contests for 4-H members ages 14-18 will be at 3 p.m.
Register now for ServeSafe certification program May 8 and 15 at the Lauderdale County Extension Office. The cost is $100 by certified check or money order. For information, call 482-9764 or visit the office on the fifth floor of the Courthouse Annex.