Thinking Out Loud

Recently I glimpsed a headline indicating our state legislature is considering mandating a later school start date to aid tourism. I didn't read the article, so I don't know the arguments used as ammunition to fuel the passage of such a bill, but I would think that boosting tourism should not be at the top of the list as indicated by that headline. Having been affiliated with KC's on the Current since 1999, I am all for boosting tourism. Lots of businesses as well as city coffers benefit. But..what about the children? After all, schools are supposed to be about them. Shouldn't consideration of the pros and cons for the kiddos be the prime one in decisions affecting schools? And pros and cons there are, aside from tourism dollars that two extra weeks might generate, IF Mother Nature cooperates and travel and outdoor recreation remain consistently feasible.

Keep in mind I am thinking as a former kid educated in Missouri public schools and as a teacher in one rural Missouri system for 32 of my 33 years in the classroom. I applaud allowing for more time outdoors for all of us, but especially for children. They need unstructured play opportunities, time to be kids - playing ball, visiting cousins, swimming, biking, chilling in the backyard listening to music, daydreaming, playing with pets, exploring with neighborhood pals, etc.

Reflecting on the current times, though, it is sad to think it might be two more weeks with heads bowed over screens rather than gazing at bright cloud formations or eyeing a ball to catch, with fingers scurrying over keyboards rather than gripping softballs or keeping beach balls in the air, with derrieres imprinted on living room cushions rather than in sandboxes or on bicycle seats, with eyes darting to flickerings on screens rather than focusing on print in books. Movement is an essential development tool for the body and the brain.

On the other hand, in these times schools have a greater role in the responsibility of raising children - granted some more than others - than they did during the educating of my generation. So, maybe students would be better off in a year-round setting that allows for daily square meals and recesses, creative outlets in art and music curriculums, physical education classes and team sports, exposure to robotics, etc. I do wonder, though, how schools might be affected when our educators come from the ranks of kids raised with more device time than people time.

If times had not changed so with technology, it would be a no-brainer. Return to opening dates after Labor Day and closing dates in early June. Let there be more summertime to run through alleys or fields, play in the parks or creeks, make a couple more library and museum visits, experience one more excursion to use in the "What I Did on my Summer Vacation" compositions.

But times HAVE changed. Now we face a generation - raised with inactive bodies and minds molded by artificial intelligence - raising their own kids. Maybe delaying the start of school is a grand idea, only send the PARENTS for two weeks of instruction on how to raise their offspring to be aware, compassionate and creative. How can we leave it up to posterity to protect humanity and the planet if our children become increasingly invisible?

(In our neck of the woods, we have the additional dilemma of how the school calendar might deal with the revered week-long deer season break in November if the school year starts later. Local school board policy might be over-ruled in this situation. Another circumstance to ponder).