By Glen Turner – Special to the Sydenham Current
It’s that time again.
The three dreaded words are everywhere!
BACK TO SCHOOL!
That is, of course, dreaded by the kids and some of the teachers.
The retirees and the graduates will now have a different perspective – and don’t forget the parents. They LIKE those three words. As do the retailers who sell the supplies.
A few lucky former teachers will be attending their very first ‘First Day Of School’ breakfast – all retired teachers, some from years ago, some recently retired – but the fun is for the folks who JUST packed it in, after all those years.
It’s called ‘To Hell With The Bell’, by the way, which is great name for an event.
For 30, 35 or even 40 years, your day starts (officially) with the bell.
Every class ends with the bell, and the next one starts with the bell. Lunch is after the bell, and the day ENDS with yes… another bell.
I stopped wearing a watch after two years in the classroom – not only did every single classroom have a clock, but there was always the omnipresent school bell – so, I ALWAYS knew what time it was.
It got to the point that I didn’t wear a watch again.
After a day ruled by clocks and bells, I didn’t WANT to know the time!
Luckily, it appears that most of the Federations will have a new contract in place in time for the start of the new school year, which is great for the kids, the parents and the teachers.
No one likes to see the kids being used as pawns in the game of politics that our system has become.
So – to all those returning to work and to learn – ENJOY!
To those attending their first ‘To Hell With The Bell’, enjoy even MORE!
