|
|
|
Blue Springs, MO —
School has started. I can’t believe it. What happened to the summer of 2012?
Last week, I had errands to run and buses were everywhere. It was stop, go, stop, go – I couldn’t be in a hurry.
Likewise, there were as many cars as there were buses, dropping their kids off to school.
In addition, there were moms and dads who were parking their cars so they could walk their child into the classroom. It was impossible to get down some streets.
However, I can’t complain. I have always enjoyed taking my kids to the first day of school.
I liked the smell of the “it’s a new year” classroom. Classroom walls were always decorated with educational pictures and encouraging words.
My elementary kids enjoyed finding their desk with their freshly printed laminated names.
I recall when our local school district shifted to full-day kindergarten. Everyone was shocked. However, when you’ve experienced life outside Missouri, you have an additional perspective.
My son Adam had full-day kindergarten in North Carolina, in 1985. Everything was OK with full day “K,” especially with Adam. He couldn’t get enough.
Then, we moved to Arizona, and we were back to half-day kindergarten for the rest of the kids. We learned to roll with the flow.
Nonetheless, I like Missouri schools and our district because the ratio of teacher to student is the lowest I have ever seen, anywhere.
Think about it. A school becomes a child’s second home. Even kindergarten is 25-plus hours a week. Teachers have a great opportunity to guide a child and help them meet their potential.
More than that, teachers can be a significant force, whereby they can mold a child’s life, self belief and confidence.
Seventy years ago, my mother attended school in Pennsylvania. When mom arrived to her first day of seventh grade, her teacher discovered that there was only one student in the seventh grade classroom, my mom. They immediately promoted mom to eighth grade.
My elementary school was a renovated all-boys high school that had been built in the early 1900s. It was gorgeous then and still is today.
My memories of school are vivid. That was the first time I left my mom. My kindergarten teacher was Mrs. Fox, who was all business.
However, I learned, perhaps because I was nervous – in addition to being a bit scared of her. Ah, the memories.
School has started. I can’t believe it. What happened to the summer of 2012?
Last week, I had errands to run and buses were everywhere. It was stop, go, stop, go – I couldn’t be in a hurry.
Likewise, there were as many cars as there were buses, dropping their kids off to school.
In addition, there were moms and dads who were parking their cars so they could walk their child into the classroom. It was impossible to get down some streets.
However, I can’t complain. I have always enjoyed taking my kids to the first day of school.
I liked the smell of the “it’s a new year” classroom. Classroom walls were always decorated with educational pictures and encouraging words.
My elementary kids enjoyed finding their desk with their freshly printed laminated names.
I recall when our local school district shifted to full-day kindergarten. Everyone was shocked. However, when you’ve experienced life outside Missouri, you have an additional perspective.
My son Adam had full-day kindergarten in North Carolina, in 1985. Everything was OK with full day “K,” especially with Adam. He couldn’t get enough.
Then, we moved to Arizona, and we were back to half-day kindergarten for the rest of the kids. We learned to roll with the flow.
Nonetheless, I like Missouri schools and our district because the ratio of teacher to student is the lowest I have ever seen, anywhere.
Think about it. A school becomes a child’s second home. Even kindergarten is 25-plus hours a week. Teachers have a great opportunity to guide a child and help them meet their potential.
More than that, teachers can be a significant force, whereby they can mold a child’s life, self belief and confidence.
Seventy years ago, my mother attended school in Pennsylvania. When mom arrived to her first day of seventh grade, her teacher discovered that there was only one student in the seventh grade classroom, my mom. They immediately promoted mom to eighth grade.
My elementary school was a renovated all-boys high school that had been built in the early 1900s. It was gorgeous then and still is today.
My memories of school are vivid. That was the first time I left my mom. My kindergarten teacher was Mrs. Fox, who was all business.
However, I learned, perhaps because I was nervous – in addition to being a bit scared of her. Ah, the memories.
Excuse me for a moment. I have to grab a tissue. I’m starting to get a little weepy, like all the moms who took their little ones to school this week.
May I offer my suggestions for a great school year?
1. Bedtime, enforce it and remove the television and electronics from the bedroom.
2. Prepare breakfast for your child and eat dinner together.
3. Know their friends, and invite them to your home.
4. Every day, no matter how hard it is, no matter what they’ve done, good or bad, tell your child you love them.
Have a great school year.
