WASN'T YESTERDAY INDEPENDENCE DAY?

So, I never ever called it that. Still. My grandkids are back in school already. The local high school has started up again without me. Nine school starts now.

Nine. It doesn't seem possible. My last charges are now nearing their 30's.

Has it really been that long since Superintendent Shields announced in a school-wide assembly the start of the 1971-72 school year? He expected great things to happen that year. I guess they did.

I mean teachers (or teachers, mean--emphasis on the adjective when worded like that) taught or at least filled up the 59 minutes that made up the class hour. Students grew. Physically and mentally. Socially, too, I hope, for that is certainly a necessity for adolescents. Much more than by products of education.

I still remember many of the students in the first class I taught and the last class. Don't ask me much about the middle years. In fact, I don't even recall much of the '80's. I was there, I guess. But I'd be hard pressed even to name all my JAVA staff editors.

But I don't blame it on them or me. I blame it on starting school too blame early. Not until the last bottle rocket remain has been removed from the yard.