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By Senator Richard T. Moore

September 2, 2008 ... In recent days our newspapers have been so filled with school bus routes and school lunch menus that it's obvious that the time has arrived for kids in our towns to head back to school. This time of year, for most of us, brings back memories of our youth and our own school experiences.

I can still recall my days in Margaret Stanas' afternoon kindergarten in Chapel Street School in Hopedale and my move to first grade at Park Street School with Elsie Craib in her first teaching assignment. Chapel Street School was demolished some years ago, and Park Street School is now the "Bright Beginnings Center.," but that educational foundation was solid, and many of my classmates from those bygone days are still good friends today.

A few days ago, I had the privilege of welcoming back to school the teachers and staff of the Bellingham Public Schools. The lobby was filled with teachers renewing bonds with colleagues and welcoming new members, and a new Superintendent, to the faculty.

As noted author/historian David McCullough writes, there is a "fundamental lesson of history and of life -- that no one is, or ever was, self-made." He went on to say that, "We are all what we are in large degree because of others who have helped, coached, taught, counseled, who set a standard by example, who've taken an interest in our interests, opened doors, opened our minds, helped us see, who gave encouragement when we needed it, who reprimanded or prodded when we needed it, and at critical moments, inspired. Very often they were our parents, very often our teachers. If your experience was anything like mine, some of your first heroes outside the family were your teachers." 

McCullough added, "We should not leave the whole job of education to the teachers. We must set the example at home. We must talk about books with our children. We must show them that we, too, in our time, cherish literature and the sciences. We must take them on trips to museums and galleries and libraries and great historic places, and show them the meaning and enjoyment we ourselves find in such places." Parents need to take an active interest in their children's school activities and communities need to be willing to provide adequate school support.

If we want America to stay competitive globally, we've got to support stronger emphasis on science and mathematics. But if we want America to remain the grand experiment in democracy that it's been for over twohundred years, we better make sure that our schools teach our history - where we've come from as a people. Students, if they are to assume their responsibility as citizens, also need to learn about their government at local, state, and national level. Teaching about government needs to be more than diagrams about how a bill becomes a law, and really teach how to influence government to address real problems and how it's important that we all participate and serve in
some way more than simply voting. 

In an effort to enhance the teaching of civic engagement, the National Conference of State Legislatures, ten years ago, launched the "America's Legislators Back to School" program. I've participated in it myself visiting schools throughout my district, and a recent study confirmed how much students benefit from classroom dialogue with a state legislator.

Beyond educating students to be prepared for success in a global marketplace and to be engaged citizens in a democratic society, schools can improve the quality of our lives. The kind of foods and snacks our children eat as well as opportunities for exercise can be influenced by whether schools provide nutritious meals and physical education. Schools need to support wellness too if we want our children to live healthier lives rather than depend on pills and expensive health care later in life. Our school nurses, school-based health centers, and school health education programs need support and encouragement in the important role that they play in the lives of our children.

As this school year begins, let me share a few tips for students and parents from www.kidshealth.org:

Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, represents the 14 towns of the Worcester & Norfolk Senatorial District, and is Vice President of the National Conference of State Legislatures.

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