Right back in the classroom

Perhaps it’s best if we all first face a sad truth: For a huge

portion of our community, this is the worst week of the year. That’s

right, school has started again.

If you think back, you just might remember the feelings as summer

ended. There is sadness as the freedom to do anything or nothing

slides from between your fingers. There is dread as that freedom is

replaced by the looming regimen of class bells, class work and, worst

of all, homework. And growing up here, where the beach can be your

playground -- and if not the beach then any number of parks,

amusement parks, movie theaters, you name it -- makes the pain of a

disappearing summer all that much worse.

So let’s face the fact that many students aren’t going to be

jumping out of bed these first mornings. That’s OK. They’ll come

around.

And when they do come around, it’s up to us as parents, friends

and teachers to remind them of the importance of education. It’s up

to us to build in them a love of learning that will last a lifetime.

How can we do that? Well, every student will be different, but if

you can find a topic someone is interested in, start there. Show what

else can be found on its history, its practices, its rules or its

details. Can you squeeze in a little math or business training?

Demonstrate what it takes to become an expert on a subject and you’ll

have gone great lengths in showing what it takes to succeed in

school, too.

We also can simply lead by example. Pick up books and read. If you

have an interest in something, investigate it. Show a love of finding

out about new ideas. Ask questions and don’t be satisfied with quick

answers.

And be interested in what those students you know are interested

in. Learn about it together -- that’s a winning proposition.

But first, make sure those students get to school on time for the

first few weeks.