It seems like just yesterday, but it’s been ten weeks since Ohio kids were chanting the old trope, “no more pencils, no more books, no more teachers’ dirty looks.” Now, they are settled in to school year 2019-20, with the adventures of summer only a shadow in the rearview mirror. The western New York cousins are currently savoring their last hours of freedom, as their school doors don’t open until after Labor Day, but soon, we’ll all be back in the rhythm of school, with no weeknight sleepovers or late-night ice cream runs allowed.
Given the plethora of smiling first-day-of-school photos flooding social media, it’s tempting to believe there’s no drama on that magical day, but at least some kids woke up late, missed the bus, forgot their bus number or locker combinations, or left their lunch on the kitchen counter. Those events are part of our family lore, and we’re not alone in first day jitters.
Speaking of school lunches, there’s a buzz in Ashland City Schools this August, as the school board has approved an increase in lunch prices. It will now cost a student an additional shiny quarter to buy a lunch in the elementary and middle school cafeterias. Rather than an effort to enrich the coffers of the school board, the price increase was a necessary step so the district could continue to offer free and reduced lunches to kids who need them. As I understand it, the National School Lunch Program, administered through the Ohio Department of Education, requires paying lunch customers to fork over at least as much as it reimburses for the free and discounted lunches provided to students whose families qualify for the reduction in price.
Back-to-school drama isn’t limited to the cafeteria, classrooms and hallways, as revealed at a recent school board meeting, because parents showed up to express concern over the stalled talks on a new teacher’s contract. I’ll spare you the details, pointing you to the T-G’s Dylan Sams and his reporting on the subject. Suffice it to say that “an impasse was announced in contract negotiations with the Ashland City Teachers Association.” Contract negotiation is tough, as the board wants to be responsible to the taxpayers, and the teachers want to be recognized for their work both monetarily and with appropriate work conditions. As one parent noted, “we have great people on both sides of the table. I just hope . . .this contract can get settled quickly and satisfactorily.” Do I hear an amen?
We do have great people in our schools who deeply influence the children of our communities. Mrs. Frank, my kindergarten teacher, began to instill a love of learning in a raven-haired little girl that continues to this day, and I’m grateful for the spark that’s been nurtured in myself, in my sons, and now in my grandchildren.
Yet influence goes beyond teachers and staff. In Kansas, an eight-year-old boy saw a classmate “balled up into a corner crying, so he went to console him, grabbed his hand and walked him inside of the school!” His mom posted a picture of the boys, commenting, “He’s a kid with a big heart, the first day of school started off right.” I’m glad that photo and message went viral this week.
That’s what I want for my grandchildren. Reading, writing, and arithmetic are important, but the ability to be kind, to see the “other” and respond with compassion – priceless lessons.
We are fortunate that the lovely Madelyn Simone and the delightful and determined Elizabeth Holiday love going to school. In fact, four-year-old Lizzie was quite put out when her sister eagerly boarded the big yellow bus without her. Hang on, Lizzie. Tiny Tots Nursery School starts again after Labor Day. You’re more than ready to get back to school, and hopefully your teacher is ready for you. Here’s to a year of green choices and big-hearted friends for all our precious children.
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