Schools operate, by design, completely different than the private sector. No better illustration of this is how schools mark the end of one year and the beginning of another. While January marks the new year for many people and is celebrated on New Year’s Day, the educators’ new year starts in July and is typically observed on the weekend of July 4th.

In Mississippi, the Fourth of July is significant for many reasons. It is dedicated as the date our nation declared independence from Great Brittan. It marks the end of the Siege of Vicksburg and the beginning of the end to the Civil War. It also has a more ominous remembrance for many students and teachers – that summer vacation is halfway over.

It seems like school just finished for the year, awards days were attended, senior classes graduated, and final grades posted. So many plans were made for the summer break: vacation bible schools, summer camps, visits to relatives, maybe a theme park vacation. And swimming. Lots and lots of swimming.

Soon, late night reading or television watching will soon give way to a return to normal bedtime to prepare for the coming August.

The summer break isn’t a two-month lay-about for educators. Many teachers attend workshops and seminars, both to improve their craft as instructors as well as earn continuing education credit for their license renewal. Administrators are already planning for the fall: hiring new staff, overseeing repairs and renovations, making sure supplies are ordered, and making last minute schedule changes. Meanwhile, everyone nervously awaits the results of state test scores.

There are only a few short weeks until school begins again. A mad rush of additional vacations, camps, and cookouts. Senior parties are already being planned and Back-to- School sales will be showing in stores any day. Good thing, in that many students have grown over the summer and will need new clothes and shoes, not to mention all the school supplies asked for by teachers.

The beginning of school is a time when students catch up with each other after a summer away.

Likewise, teachers welcome each other back after little contact during the break. Even though social media allows contact during the summer, there is no greater feeling than personal reconnection with friends after a long hiatus. This reacquainting is something that most everyone looks forward to.

However, returning to school can also be bittersweet: a friend moves out of town; last year’s crush has moved on to someone else; a favorite teacher has retired; or a tragedy has befallen a classmate. Schools teach more than simply reading, writing, and mathematics. They also teach that life moves forward, often more quickly than we really want.

So whether you are a teacher, a student or a parent, enjoy these last precious few weeks of summer.

August, and the new school year, will be here before you know it.

 

Shannon Eubanks is principal of Enterprise Attendance Center.