Nathan starts school tomorrow. Tomorrow is also the first day of varsity football practice. That feels so weird. Usually there are two weeks of football before school starts. At least, that is how it is has been for the last 14 seasons we have spent together. But this year it different. The state is allowing districts to start early again.
When I first started teaching schools had been slowly moving up start dates until you were almost starting school the first week of August. I didn’t care. It was hot, might as well be in school. But then the state decided that no public school could start before the 4th Monday of August. Suddenly everyone was starting late. I think, if I remember correctly, it had to do with energy and tourism.
Energy I get. It cost more to cool schools in August than in May.
But tourism? I don’t believe that one. No one willing says, “Hey! Let’s go to Texas in August!” There is NOTHING pleasant about Texas in August.
Over the last few years the state started something called “Districts of Innovation.” I have no idea what that is and I have yet to find someone who can actually explain it to me. If you were in a District of Innovation, you were allowed to start school before the 4th Monday in August. Slowly start dates are shifting forward again.
I think the thing making this year feel so different is this early start date and it coinciding with the start of football. Even Nathan says it feels weird and is having difficulty adjusting to it.
I told Carole today that I feel like I am waiting for everything to start.
And yet, WE have started. Tomorrow starts our 3rd week of school. Things are moving along nicely. Our schedule is filling in. Friday we go meet the teachers of their co-op classes. The 24th we have their birthday party. The following week is their birthday week which means I have a birthday field trip to plan. Co-op also starts that Friday. The following Friday (the first one in September) is Dean’s surgery.
Nathan has started working. The first week was football camp and volleyball. Last week was Freshman football. But I guess those things don’t compare to Varsity football. And the first scrimmage is still 2 weeks away which means the first game is 3 weeks away.
Time is moving but it never feels like we started. We just slid back into normal without excitement or fanfare.
So I think this means that I am waiting on a beginning that has already happened.
More Than Expected 