The Old Coot notes the differences.
By Merlin Lessler
First day of school circa; 1947. It was our turn, my friend
Woody and me. We were five years old. The “older kids” who got us there were
seven years old. My sister and his brother. We played on the playground outside
the side door until the bell rang. We lined up with the rest of the kids until
the principal allowed us to enter. Once inside, my sister pointed the way to the
kindergarten classroom where Mrs. Shopper, the kindergarten teacher, stood by
the door to welcome us. That was it!
After that first day, we got to school on our own, on a
route that started on a path behind my house, went through a dormant farm field
to a sidewalk that brought us to a cross walk on a busy street. A 4th grade, student patrol boy,
equipped with a white belt across his chest and a silver badge helped us to
make it safely across. Sometimes, a city police officer was stationed there as
well. We learned a lot about life on those travels to and from school with the other
kids in the area. It helped make us street smart, at least in the kid world.
I don’t know what it’s like where you live, but where I
witness it, getting to school is a totally different story. School starts with orientation
sessions where kids and parents learn the ropes and the rules. Bus
transportation is provided for kids outside of walking distance, but many don’t
take advantage of it. A parent drives them to school and picks them up every
day! Long lines of vehicles crowd the school driveways and often spill out onto
neighboring streets. The kids hop out of the car sporting backpacks, holding nutritious
breakfast bars and are guided by the principal, teachers and security personnel
to the school entrance. That’s a lot of adult involvement. We did it on our own.
Today’s parents are more hands on, or as some call it, “Helicopter parents!”
Kids today, can’t do anything by themselves, without “supervision.” Our parents
were more at arms length. I think we had it better.
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