Why do I have to go to school today?

           

Monday is the most likely day to hear it. Every kid always seems to ask it once a week.  The perennial question in our home is, "Why do I have to go to school  today". The answer is always the same....because. I  retell the kids that we all had to do it, like it or not. This photo reminds me that generations have also had to miss out on their valuable playtime to hit the books.  But as I boot the kids out the door, I can't help but wonder, "why do we have to go to school today?"  Over the years, I have spent many hours in schools watching kids learn about the three R's.   I have seen the benefits of an education up close and personal while I taught prior to having kids. As an adult however, what I remember about school is now such a blur. Being food obsessed, I remember Friday was pizza day, Wednesday we had grill cheese, and the luckiest day was when we got American chop suey, a pasta concoction with mystery meat, but delicious. Food aside, I learned how to write  expository papers...lots of them. Most importantly I learned how to jockey the fine line between acceptance, friendships, conflict and resolution. While I can't pinpoint many examples, I know I learned how to manage these things in school. This blog is proof that I can't spell or figure out the correct use of apostrophes, and I know I can't do fractions, so I may have come up a bit short in school.  But still, I appreciate the effort that has been endured by so many so that our youth have a fighting chance.  I think that what makes a child successful in school is a result of what happens at home. Home life and school life create an indispensable partnership in the raising of a good citizen.  I read in yahoo today about a school in CT that has has an incredible decline in just about everything, so bad that the state has made it the priority project. The truth in the decline seems to be a result of a culture of  parents taking the school to home relationship less seriously and as a result, the ship has begun to sink. When we bring a child into this world, we have stamped our signature on a invisible contract that says, "We commit our effort to the success of our kids". Step outside the classroom and we are the teachers. Just this weekend, Kate had a learning opportunity as she hiked with her good friend and her family as she unknowingly learned about nature and our place in it.   Out in the yard, the kids built a fort and in some ways, were learning how to build their future life. Even at the dinner table last night, we chatted over my mediocre meatloaf, built a fire, sat down and learned about the importance of unity. These examples of learning are just the tip of the iceberg.  So as we send them off to the bus, I realize that school is a just a continuation of our commitment to our kids. It brings out the civil in civilization. With that thought, kids, enjoy your day at school. Parents your day at schooling starts when they come and you complete the circle.