Published: August 14, 2008 08:25 am         

Ready or not, Goshen schools get started

Although August’s midpoint has not yet arrived, Goshen students have already returned to school. This may be puzzling for old-timers, but many parents are ready to have their children educationally engaged.

The 180-day instructional requirement in Indiana means that school calendars are difficult to prepare while educators try to please everyone. The agrarian concerns are no longer relevant, but tradition can be a hurdle to overcome.

Goshen students may be starting early, but their last day of classes is slated to be May 22. Middlebury students, however, won’t start until Sept. 3 with classes ending June 9.

The cause of Middlebury’s delay is the new $78 million Northridge High School. Classroom areas will be completed by the start of school, although the school’s pool and auditorium are not expected to be completed until next year. Middlebury officials likely are hoping it will be a mild winter and snow makeup days are nonexistent.

The early speculation is that the sagging local economy may reduce school enrollment, if workers move elsewhere in search of employment. However, while it is still early, Goshen school officials noted stable enrollment totals. That included 40 students who registered on Monday.

Modern society is much more mobile than in years past, so it is not inconceivable that enrollment totals will fluctuate all year. But educators will be watching the numbers carefully, since some funding is based on enrollment figures.

But now that school is under way, parents need to morph into their educator mode and encourage their children to apply themselves. Parents are key to students finding success in education.