And here we are. Spring break is officially over, and it’s time to start the sprint to the finish line. This time of year is always a flurry of activity both in the elementary and junior high/high school. As a fellow parent and superintendent, I thought I might share some thoughts that might help us all as we navigate this extremely busy time of the year:
1. While Easter baskets are for kids, the candy inside the plastic eggs is fair game once the kids are asleep. Just make sure you take a little from multiple eggs and not all from one. It’s also scientifically proven that Easter candy tastes better after 8 p.m.
2. By now, you’ve accumulated about 96,000 papers, drawings, etc. from your kids’ backpacks. In the words of the great Elsa from Frozen, it’s ok to “let it go, let gooooo!” Save a few items, ditch a few items.
3. Parents of seniors: Savor these moments. Your little boys and girls are now incredible young men and women who are about to go change the world. They are nervous, excited, and need you now more than ever.
4. Don’t let anyone shame you for wearing shorts with a hoodie. It’s springtime in Ohio. It’s ok to go winter on the top, summer on the bottom.
5. If you still have a Christmas tree up at your house, you might as well keep it up until next December. You’ve made it this far, right?
6. There are three certainties in life: Death, taxes, and that every Cracker Barrel looks the same inside. But I’d like to add a fourth: By now, all the new socks you bought your kids at the beginning of the school year either have holes in them, or one in the pair has vanished from the face of the earth
7. …and speaking of socks–those new shoes you bought at the beginning of the year are probably three sizes too small now. Kids’ feet grow faster than dandelions on your springtime lawn.
8. Springtime is notorious for fog. Fog and I are not friends. While your kids probably love getting that two-hour delay text, fog and I are in combat. Fog shapeshifts and taunts me all over the district roads in the morning. Fog and I will probably never be friends. We will not be sending each other Christmas cards.
9. Nothing spoils a carefree morning commute like a train stopped over the tracks. Make sure to give yourself enough time in the morning to take that dreaded detour in the event a stopped train does sour the morning Cheerios milk. We will try to let you know if a train is stopped on the tracks via our social media pages.
10. Newton’s Third Law states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. That’s why your kids seem to come down with a springtime sickness eight seconds before you leave for a fun family springtime excursion. Thanks, Newton.
11. If you are like me, songs from Mary Poppins and The Music Man have been running through your head on a continuous loop for at least three solid weeks now. This is probably a good time to remind everyone to come see these two shows soon!
12. People shouting “heads up!” at a baseball or softball game when a batter hits a foul ball really mean for you to duck and cover. And after you duck and cover, make sure to get a hot dog from the Bird Feeder.
13. Jorts were never cool no matter what your dad who grew up in the ‘70s said.
14. State testing is coming up. Please make sure your kids get a good night’s sleep and some breakfast prior to testing. Testing anxiety is a real thing, so please encourage your child to do his or her best, and give him or her an extra hug testing morning.
15. Stay the course. You have amazing kids, and we are so happy that they are Blackbirds, and we are continually grateful for your partnership and support!
Yours in education and community,
Josh Clark
Superintendent