Ramping Up

 Last week it was a pleasure to get back to work. 

I could tell you that I was inspired by the challenge of taking on the repsonsibility of molding all those young minds once again. 

Because I am. 

I could tell you what a pleasure it was to meet some of our new families and greet many of our students who were returning for registration. 

It was. 

Mostly I was glad to have long days where my concerns were not that of pedophiles and interior decoration. I was allowed to focus on things like curriculum for reading and math. I was encouraged to think about all the ways we can interact with the children at our school in ways to build them up.

And not have to worry for the time being about how our country continues to find distractions beyond the education of this next generation. For a while, thoughts of Gaza and ICE were pushed to the background as I stapled miles of border across miles of bulletin boards. I moved furniture from one room to another. I cleaned this and I fixed that all in the anticipation of another school year. 

It wasn't until I came home and looked at the news that I confronted the extraordinary torment continues on virtually all fronts. I know that it is only a matter of time before the lack of public broadcasting or a Departent of Education comes roaring into this tranquil place where we are trying to teach kids to read and write. 

It is a tough way to have to start a new year.