In Marion County two big events are happening next week: primary elections and the opening of school. Of course references to both of those are on the front page, but I am still going to offer my two cents in these matters.
In the July 18 edition of the C-P a voters guide was published. Most of the candidates chose to participate, so there is a great wealth of information in there to help you make an educated voting decision. I know primaries may not usually have the same turnout as a general election. However, in our county we have a lot of contested Republican races. When there are six or seven people running for the same post each vote counts. I cannot stress that enough, so please vote.
The last thing I’ll say about the elections is having interviewed some of the candidates running this year, each of those I spoke with have clear visions for the post they are running for. So re-read the voters guide and pray when you vote Tuesday, so you know the ballot you cast will be an informed vote.
Also, the first day of school is coming up for all of our local schools. When I was a little girl in Walkersville, Md., our local newspaper, The Frederick News-Post, would actually publish all the homeroom classes with the students’ names in the paper for all of the schools. I always got excited to see that because it allowed me to see who was in my class and what classes all my friends were in. As the schools grew larger the names were no longer published, and you would just find out on the first day where to go.
The beginning of the school year is full of excitement for teachers and students for all kinds of reasons. The teachers have had their summer break to recuperate from the year before and are energized for the new year, and the students are ready to get back to hanging out with their friends and, of course, Friday Night Lights.
Every year I always started with the best intentions of getting the best grades. Usually by October I had already given up and was happy with just passing. Boy, if I knew then what I know now, that would be totally different.
I attended both the Columbia School District Convocation and the Marion County School District Convocation this week, and I can tell you all the staff are pumped and ready for the students. Excitement of the new year is already in the air. Classrooms are decorated, and stages are set for a great year for everyone.
The question now I ask is what are you the parents and students going to bring? Are we just saying we are glad the summer drama of boredom is over? Are we emotional over having a kindergartner or a senior? Are we complaining because the routine that has lapsed over the summer now needs to be restored?
I wonder as parents what tone would be set if we got up for work excited? I wonder if we parents would get up and say, “Today is a great day; son (or daughter) you got this,” how contagious that would be to the students?
I’m going to try to do better with the morning drama at my house. If you have teenagers you know what I mean. Instead of saying on the first day of school, “You only have a 180 more days to go” say “This is your day; make it great.”
I am going to try, and I hope you do, too. Let us get our kids already pumped by setting the example.
If we can send our kids to school excited, energetic and ready, just imagine where the teachers can take those students.
Susan Amundson is the C-P’s managing editor. Reach her at 736-2611 or samundson@columbianprogress.com.
