With the exception of the year-round schools, all other area schools started the fall 2019 session on the Tuesday after Labor Day, Sept. 3. Schools starting means school buses picking up children, school zones being active, increased traffic, and, in some cases, walkers. These changes require that each of us drive with heightened awareness. For some, it will require a complete change of driving attitude. When driving in and around county schools, we all must expect delays, especially when school starts and ends. Incidentally, the start and end times are different from one school to another. The point is to allow plenty of time to go through a busy school zone or use a route that avoids a school zone.
Teachers have a daunting task as they seek to educate young minds while dealing with the diverse personalities of their students. For those who believe in the power of prayer, teachers need our prayers. Teachers also need the support of parents. One very important thing that parents can do is to teach their children to respect the authority figures in their lives. In other words, teachers are one of the authorities in your children’s lives. Teachers are not perfect, but they do deserve the benefit of the doubt. Parents should do everything possible to empower teachers to be the most effective.
It is my prayer that our schools will be safe places for students, teachers and administrators in every school in America. There have been far too many mass shootings in schools already. Whatever measures that must be taken to prevent evil from entering our schools, they must be done. Public safety officials are trained on how to handle a mass shooting. Teachers, administrators, students and School Resource Officers should do everything possible to prevent a mass shooting. Incidentally, the School Resource Officer’s primary job is to keep the students, teachers and administrators – in the particular school that they serve in – safe. Their role and presence in the schools is vital. No matter who you are, if you see something, then you must say something. We all must diligently seek to eradicate this atrocity from our society.
Students have safety and fire drills in schools.
The same disciplines that students are learning to safely escape from a school fire can be instituted in your home. When smoke alarms activate, everyone in your home should know how to appropriately respond. “Stay low and go while under smoke” is important anywhere that smoke is encountered. A safe meeting place outside the home is just as important as the meeting place on the outside of the school.
I hope that this will be a great school year for everyone involved. A new generation of leaders are being trained to be doctors, nurses, armed forces members, public servants, pastors, teachers, lawyers, you name it. Whether it is stopping for a school bus, slowing down through school zones, or helping your children be great students, we all have a part in making this a good school year.
