Hello School

Today is the first day of school for most of Northwest Arkansas. Parking lots are full, pick-up locations are marked, and social media is full of back-to-school photos. If I'm honest, first day of school was a joyful day when I was raising my kids. Summer was a footrace of camps, sports, and activities. Neither daughter was adept at 'playing quietly in her room', so I worked hard during the spring to meet sign-up deadlines for things that would keep them occupied and engaged in the summer. Another mom once asked me, "Since you're a stay-home mom, why don't you home school?" 😂😂😂 I loved first day back more than Christmas! And I have the utmost respect for the trained, dedicated professionals in our public schools. I could never give my children all they received in school, both in learning and in socializing.

My girls finished school before campuses became common locations of violence and strife. The school shootings at Columbine, Colorado and Jonesboro, Arkansas occurred during their school days, but those were viewed as outliers. People were horrified and wondered how youngsters got their hands on firearms, but there was nothing like the frequency of school violence we see today. And we did not have to contend with groups who were not educators but banded together to ban books and make restrictive policies regarding LBGTQ+ students in service of a political agenda.

I have grandchildren in grades 5 and 7 who attend a small school district. Even my daughter and her husband occasionally disagree about how to define their social positions. She grew up in our liberal home; he grew up in a conservative home. They are doing an admirable job navigating this political climate with their eyes on the prize - doing what is in their children's best interest and trying to raise kind people. I am proud of them.

I offer this prayer as school year 2023-24 begins:

God of all providence, enfold our schools in the light of your protection. Keep the students, teachers, and staff safe. Let schools return to their mission of teaching. Bless those who teach and those who learn with curiosity, patience, and ability. Empower the people who work to fill in the gaps for students whose home lives are impoverished in any way. Create spaces of tolerance and acceptance where questions are valued and differences celebrated. Jesus, our Savior, was a teacher in his earthly life. Make the way of learning a sacred path.

Amen