As we begin to welcome the 466 members of the Class of 2022 to Grinnell and Grinnell College's campus this week, and all their peers returning for their remaining years as Pioneers, I encourage you all to take the time to be a little more friendly. They've never lived here - they're not familiar with our community. They'll likely make our wait times a little longer in restaurants, our drive time slightly increased as we have more pedestrians around town but let's be thankful and patient for all of it. These students (and their families) are vital to the economy and growth of this community we all love. They make our cash registers ring, they'll become our employees and many may never leave this community as they fall in love with it just as we have.
So let's remember to be kind, helpful and patient this week and the weeks to come. Our educational institutions bring a beautifully young and diverse community that most communities would do anything to attract. Let's all do our part to help make them feel welcome here for the years to come.
--Rachael Kinnick
p.s. Speaking of students (Happy 1st day to the G-N SD!), if you happen to have school-aged children (ages 5-12), would you mind taking a few minutes to take this survey regarding before-and-after school care in Grinnell? This was a hot topic generated from our childcare study earlier this summer and a group of folks are working on possible solutions now, but want and need your input!
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