Excitement’s in the air as school year approaches

Excitement’s in the air
as school year approaches


Can August be more than half over? Yep. The new school year is just around the corner. Students already are stocking up the clothes and supplies they will need to greet another season in the classroom. Waiting for them at the door with new lessons to be learned will be their teachers.

A new school year presents a new beginning. There’s anticipation on the part of both the student and teacher as they look forward to going down that road to new discoveries from their books.

For students, there’s the distinctive scent from a new paper tablet, the satisfaction of a freshly sharpened pencil, and the curiosity about what new wondrous thought will present itself today. For teachers, there’s the challenge of capturing that wandering mind of an inattentive student and lighting a fire under those so capable of great things but not living up to their promise.

School boards and administrators believe the intellectual growth of the students is enhanced by pleasant facilities, appropriately designed for a learning environment, and there’s no dearth of new construction in the area to provide them.

But a school is more than brick-and-mortar. It’s the educational package offered inside. Under pressure for performance on state tests, districts all over are examining their course content and updating their textbooks and workbooks to meet the new standards.

It’s a costly process, and no one feels it more than the local taxpayer. Smarting under the heavy property tax burden, many local officials and residents have let their state legislators know of their discontent, which has led to a crisis in the funding of public schools. A proposed state constitutional convention to find a better way to pay for the schools has gained momentum but isn’t there yet by a long shot. The answer remains elusive.

That’s all heady stuff. If residents want to contribute in a small way to the future of our needy students, they can donate school supplies and other items to the United Way of Central Jersey at any of three stops its school bus will make next week.

Everything from pencils and notebooks, drinks and snacks to sweatshirts and socks and anything else a student may need will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 26 at Menlo Park Greatland Target, Edison; Aug. 27 at Brunswick Square Mall, East Brunswick; or Aug. 28 at Target, Ryders Lane in Milltown. The organization seeks to "stuff the bus" for youngsters whose families have limited funds.

Going off to school with a full complement of supplies makes learning a little easier and a lot more fun for every kid.