Written By: Felecia Causey
As I sit here in the quiet of this back-to-school morning, I realize something profound—I didn’t have to rush to the stores for school clothes, shoes, supplies, or those flimsy, see-through book bags that never last. I didn’t have to brave the chaos of school traffic, made worse by the decision to place four public schools on the same road. And I didn’t have to sit through long-winded speeches from principals and teachers that often promise one thing and deliver another.
I don’t have to fill out the same repetitive paperwork, year after year, with information that never changes. I don’t have to navigate the politics of the school system or witness the cover-ups that paint a picture far from reality. I don’t have to deal with PTSA groups that sometimes feel more like HOAs than supportive communities. I don’t have to hear my children complain about lunches that seemed thrown together without care. I don’t have to face staff members who respond with attitude when asked—politely—to do their jobs.
I won’t miss unanswered phone calls from the school, especially when students aren’t allowed to have phones themselves. I won’t miss the catchy slogans that schools proudly display but rarely live up to. I won’t miss leadership that avoids real issues by sweeping them under the rug. And I certainly won’t miss the favoritism that runs deep in both academics and athletics.
But in the midst of all that, there are things I will miss.
I’ll miss the excitement of first-day-of-school photos. I’ll miss the incredible teachers who truly loved and nurtured their students as if they were their own. I’ll miss the school games—even with the occasional chaos from referees and the organizations behind them. I’ll miss hearing about the new things my children learned, the friends they made, and even the ones they lost.
Despite everything, God has been good. I pray that every child had a joyful and safe first day of school. I pray for their protection—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—from any harm, whether from another child or an adult. I pray that parents are present for both the highs and the lows. I pray that school staff offer love and peace to children who may not receive it at home. And to the parents sending their little ones off to kindergarten—I remember those days. It does get better.
Wishing everyone a successful and safe school year. And remember: You are your child’s greatest advocate.
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