For most, New Year’s Eve is December 31st. For many in education, it is the first Monday in September, with the much-anticipated New Year’s Day being the Tuesday that will follow, and the first day of school.
Coming from a family of teachers, it always seemed to make more sense that the Tuesday after Labour Day should have been the first day of the year. It was Labour Day weekend when we would reflect on our summer, look ahead to seeing our friends again, and set goals for the coming year. As August wound down, summer days a little shorter, Labour Day weekend loomed and I can remember the butterflies and nervousness looking forward to the year, and the restless sleeps that still continue to this day as I ‘go back to school’. I cannot recall ever being able to get a good night’s sleep on Labour Day.
The 16-month calendars that are now sold in stores are brilliant — we always replace our wall calendars on September 1st — the last four months are always left blank. The first day of school is a time of fresh starts, grand ambitions, as well as New Year’s resolutions.
Like many others, I have commitments to be better at work, be better at home, and better at balancing them both.
To all students, teachers, parents and everyone connected to our education system — Happy New Year, and have a wonderful school year!
This is SO true. Ladour Day afternoon and my own kids are currently (and excitedly) putting their names on school supplies while my wife cuts our letters for the start of her Kindergarten class. Personally, I have had the same re-occuring nightmare for years on Labour Day night – I wake up the first day of school late still in bed at the front of a class of students raring to go! Hasn’t changed regardless that this is my 16th year in school adminstration. Certainly my main hope is that my own children have a good start to the year. That they are happy in their classes and inspired by their teachers to do the best they can.
This is SO true. Ladour Day afternoon and my own kids are currently (and excitedly) putting their names on school supplies while my wife cuts our letters for the start of her Kindergarten class. Personally, I have had the same re-occuring nightmare for years on Labour Day night – I wake up the first day of school late still in bed at the front of a class of students raring to go! Hasn’t changed regardless that this is my 16th year in school adminstration. Certainly my main hope is that my own children have a good start to the year. That they are happy in their classes and inspired by their teachers to do the best they can.
+1
Good. I agree.
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