Frank J. Buchman

Cowboy • Horseman • Writer

School’s More Than Education

“Some of the very best times most people ever experience are their school days.” 

Remembrances of classmates, teachers, and many special occasions remain throughout a lifetime.

There are a few who claim to have disliked school, but even those always admit memorable activities while getting their education. 

Accelerated study met college degree requirements so had just shy 17 years classroom setting. 

Although there may have been occasional not-as-much-fun days, none come to mind. However, there are heartfelt memories of every year, teachers, classrooms, including high school and college instructors. 

Almost two dozen classmates went 13 years together from kindergarten through high school graduation.  

While several have gone to the great beyond the others remain friends today although many at a distance. All can recall certain school events together some more than six decades ago bringing smiles of happy reflection.  

Sure, school is to get a formal education but it’s much more than learning. Friendships, good times and bad, working together, squabbles, bruised feelings, scratched knees and broken arms are what school’s all about.  

Nothing can replace all of the beyond-the-book learning that takes place while attending school. 

End of summer nears and fall school classes are set to begin. Never has there been so much controversy such indecisiveness in all levels of education.  

Some schools are plunging forward this week with students in classrooms. There are different and unusual guidelines causing qualms, uneasiness, and health concerns for students, teachers, and the general public. 

A number of schools and colleges still don’t have anything definite scheduled. They literally just do not know what to do. Like many activities throughout the past several months, some schools have “postponed” classes to “see what happens.”  

Others have completely canceled classes like was done this spring for the nation’s health shutdown. These schools have no idea what the future holds with no timeframe when classes might begin. 

Overhead of empty school buildings continue, teachers are without work and students are falling behind on education. 

Many never heard the word “virtual” until recently. Now many students are being educated in “virtual” classrooms through a computer screen.  

On-line courses are not new, but elementary students are losing personal school life experiences forever irreplaceable. 

Reminded of Proverbs 1:4: “Young people learn what they need to know and how to use what they’ve learned.” 

+++ALLELUIA+++ 

XIV–35–8-16-2020

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