Ode to school

Oh, school. How I have missed you so. Why, you ask? Many reasons. And not just the obvious beauty of how busy & engaged you keep my kid for 10 months. (That is a big one, though.)

I have missed the camaraderie & the sense of community. There is a genuine air of love and concern for the kids who go to our school, and it's nice to be surrounded by like-minded parents. People who will get involved and do everything they can to make their children's learning environment the best it can be. That just rocks. Granted, there are always a few in the bunch who grate on my nerves, & take things to a ridiculous look-at-me-I'm-super-Mom level, but for the most part, they are good people trying to do the right thing by their kids.

I've missed the recitals, the spaghetti dinners, & the field trips. The festivals, the class parties, & the book fairs. I was actually looking forward to the parent orientation the other night, so I could see the lot of familiar faces from three months ago and simply say hello.

Your halls provide a safe & fun place for my kid to grow. He has made really good friends through you, and he's thriving academically, socially, & spiritually. He wants to participate in the activities you have to offer, and he soaks up your traditions more each year. I dig that.

No, you may not be as new, as shiny, or as technologically advanced as other newer schools of your kind. But, we still feel we've made a good choice in keeping our kid enrolled here, because we see how happy it makes him. Therefore, it makes us just as happy, and we are so grateful we're able to afford tuition another year.

School, we're so glad you're back, and we're so glad we are fortunate enough to join in all you have to offer. I'm still in awe that Z is starting second grade this year, but we have big hopes and anticipation of all the challenges and laughs that lie ahead. We grow closer to more families each year who are on the same journey as we are, and we can't wait to see what all is in store for us. For tonight though, the eve of second grade, we will get Z's uniform cleaned, label what needs to be labeled, sharpen every pencil, all while doing the the happy dance that you have returned - FINALLY. No matter what our kid says, we're glad you're back. And we know deep down, he's glad to be going back. Don't let him fool you. ;)