The first school bells of fall will ring out today (Sept. 9) across School District 27 signalling the end of those lazy summer days and a return to busy routines.
We hope students from Kindergarten to university are anticipating the semester with excitement rather than dread, because there’s a lot to look forward to every autumn in our school’s classrooms, hallways and playgrounds.
Even if we graduated many moons ago and have long since forgotten algebra and historical dates, there are important education issues in our community that affect us.
Back to school is a fine time, for example, to think about anti-bullying measures and setting an example and spreading the word.
It’s also worthwhile to have conversations about mental health, especially with teenagers who can feel as though they carry the weight of the world at this time of their lives.
Education is also an election issue, sort of. It isn’t a mandate of the federal government, but there are connections — the economy affects provincial transfer payments and immigration and infrastructure affect community demographics.
Back to school signals a return to music lessons, hockey, skating, swimming, wrestling and the list goes on and on.
Families are often stretched thin with time and money, so it’s also a good time to be kind to your neighbourhood families who may seem a little frayed this time of year.
Certainly, back to school is a chance to reflect on the importance of education and learning and to acknowledge teachers and students.
It’s worth putting so much into our schools because of what we get out of them.
- Black Press