Borderland’s elementary and high schools start classes next week.
While students may not believe it, back to school time is a necessary and welcome period for our community and others.
Retailers get a boost as new clothes and school supplies are purchased and parents know their children will soon return to a structured institution of continued learning.
We urge area parents to take some time to reacquaint their children with the rules associated with walking to and around schools. The best way to do this is to walk with your children to help teach them about crossing the road, watching for cars and many other valuable skills they will need.
We also urge all drivers to slow down and remember that around any corner or between any parked vehicles, a young child eager to get across the road may suddenly appear.
Many children are entrusted to the care of bus drivers to reach their schools. Drivers must be prepared to stop for a school bus when its overhead yellow lights are flashing. Minnesota law requires vehicles stop for a school bus when its red overhead lights are flashing, regardless of the direction from which the driver is approaching. Drivers must not proceed until the school bus resumes motion and the red lights stop flashing, or until signaled by the school bus driver to proceed.
How times have changed when it comes learning. Open enrollment, post secondary options, charter schools and other alternatives provide more ways than ever for young people to continue to learn.
And really, gone are the days when most people could get decent-paying jobs with benefits without a high school diploma. Now, studies show people with college degrees earn substantially more than those who do not. We’ve learned as a society people who drop out of high school are likely to have trouble getting jobs, more likely to commit crimes and become dependent on government assistance.
Clearly, it makes sense for our community, this state and our nation’s economic health to encourage a well-educated workforce.
So raise a glass of milk in salute each morning to each and every student we have this community. They are our opportunity for a prosperous future.
