The Tenth First Day of School

For previous installments: 9th, 8th, 7th, 6th, 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st

My kid started ninth grade today. High school. Freshman year. As I do every year, I’m going to record some of my thoughts and feelings about the occasion.

I’m about as down on school as I’ve ever been this year. Most of that is my own stuff and has nothing to do with my kid. I’m not going to get into it here, but, more than ever, it feels like my own education was a waste of time and money. Add to that the general state of the country and pessimism seems like the order of the day.

The one upside is that middle school was miserable for my kid. I know that doesn’t sound like an upside, but I’m choosing to look at it as an upside. High school has to be better. I mean, it has to be, right? It’s easier to find your people in high school. It’s easier to avoid the people that should be avoided. And there’s more freedom and class choice. That all seems better. Hopeful even.

So, I guess I’m feeling hopeful and pessimistic at the same time. It’s an odd mix. It will be interesting to see if one side gets more justified as the year goes on. I just hope that hope wins.