Unofficially, summer is over. Though the calendar tells us that autumn doesn’t arrive until September 23, “real life” tells us that those “lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer” are at an end. (While I get the hazy and crazy bit, I think the lazy is long gone. Seems to me that even during the summer “slow down” we are all still running around and scheduling this and that.) Some may say that summer ended during the last week of August. (That’s when football practices and band camp took place.) Or it is September 2: That’s the day before school opens in Verona. Our “unlucky” neighbors in Cedar Grove start school on September 2, while our “lucky” neighbors in Caldwell don’t start up again until September 9.)
Yes, it’s true, this year school starts before Labor Day. (Heresy, some may say, but it’s quite common in the South and Verona’s schools will let out for summer vacation in 2016 on the incredibly early date of June 17. That’s a full three days before summer “officially” starts.) So be alert and be aware. Anyone who drives through town (or the surrounding) knows that traffic changes depending on the school year. (Personally, I zip to work in less than 20 minutes during the summer. It’s not that I’m driving faster, it’s just that there are fewer school buses to get stuck behind and less stops and starts as parents let their children off for school.) You may have heard it before, but slow down and consider leaving for work (or wherever you may be headed) a little earlier. You will be encountering school buses, crossing guards and lots and lots of kids. Be patient.
I say this especially as my son will be heading down to the middle school for the first time this year. That means navigating Bloomfield Avenue as a pedestrian. We all know how “kind” Bloomfield Avenue can be to pedestrians (especially where Lakeside/Park intersect the road.) Despite the best efforts of our crossing guards, you know that kids will be darting out of the strangest of places. No matter how well parents may have drilled “cross at the green and not in between,” there ARE going to be people who decide to cross this congested county road at the “wrong” place. Expect it and be prepared. Remember what it was like when you went to school (whether it be in Verona or elsewhere). Remember the excitement (or dread) of starting a new year and the rush to get home on that first afternoon (perhaps after stopping at the Bagelwich or Towne Scoop for a snack). Remember that when you want to curse them and try to smile instead.
And don’t forget that even after school hours, there will be plenty of little (and not so little) ones running around. There will be sports and other after-school activities. Those kids that were gone for the summer on vacation will be out in their yards, playing fields and the park. They’ve got a million things floating around in their minds (as do we all), but safety will probably not be one of them. As adults, that’s our job; let’s not forget that.
Happy or sad, the summer IS over. Now is the time to embrace the new season and for us all to do our best to keep the children of Verona (and everywhere) safe.
