This is the time of the year when parents rejoice and teachers fall into a deep short-term depression. Each summer gets shorter, or so it feels for educators, and that is due not to days but the pressure cooker of the nine months we are gearing up for, like soldiers in a battle against all the outside opportunities children have in their lives. Phones, a battle. Vacations, a silly but real battle. And my favorite, the mental health days parents give their children. It is amazing if we get some students in a focused manner at all throughout the week.  If we actually could just teach and not consistently re-teach due to absences or lack of focus, we would be ahead of the game.  But while I start out with that hope. It sadly ends by week two.  We are in a society where many put all other things over school but have the expectation of us to fix/teach/parent all the missing pieces so their working life can come first without a thought about the child’s day.  In my twenty-nine years and twenty-one in public schools, it just gets worse. It’s not a parent thing. It’s society and their fight to stay afloat in our economy.

Phones: Ugh. They are every teachers nightmare. Why we have not imposed real restrictions on them is absolutely crazy. If you look at any adult in a lecture…are they riveted or scrolling. Your child is the same way. Teachers can’t compete with these pocket pieces of terror. No way, and our scores show it, but parents only you can impose the rules as our hands are tied.

Vacations: Why? We have plenty of breaks. Don’t do it, and if you do, make sure your child does the work we spend time gathering or recreating for their needs. I am weary of these trips during the year because no one does the work while they are away. It is crazy. Once they return, you guessed it, it has to be re-taught.

Mental health breaks: This is when a child is overwhelmed by school or plainly does not want to come. No, this has no alignment with mental health issues. They just want a day or two or three off. I am serious. These are real.

So, let’s get back at it without the sad memes. Funny are fabulous, but not dreadful and morose about a profession we love. Starting with welcome arms on day 1 because the more we welcome, the fewer days will be lost to other days off from our students, who I am excited to meet.