It’s that special time of year again.
No, leaf season is still more than a month away.
No, Thanksgiving and Christmas are even further off on the horizon.
The special time of year to which we are referring is “Back to School.”
As students in Highlands get ready for the first day of reading, writing and arithmetic, on Monday, Aug. 29, there are a lot of emotions to ponder.
For students in the middle and high school levels there is certainly excitement to get back to seeing friends daily, playing sports, taking part in school dances and other extracurricular activities, etc. The elder statesmen of the school may have some nervous moments, but overall they know what to expect from each new academic year.
In the elementary wing, the nerves are likely to be a little more prevalent, but the joy of learning is just as palpable. Highlands School’s youngest students may have to get used to riding the school bus, waiting in the lunch line, or checking out materials from the media center but all those skills will come in short order.
As one of just a few K-12 schools left in the state of North Carolina, Highlands has a unique place in the educational landscape of the county and the region. The school may be small in terms of enrollment numbers, but the educational investment in the school is on par with much larger facilities in more urban and suburban areas.
Highlands School boasts a capable and effective staff of teachers, administrators and support personnel. Their efforts should be commended throughout the year, but especially over the next few weeks as students return to class. The patience it takes to corral 20-plus students in the name of learning is immense.
Highlands School is at the heart of the community, especially for the town’s year-round residents, and its value can’t be overstated. So as the doors swing open for the first time to kick off the 2022-23 school year on Monday, let’s wish good luck to area students and faculty members.
It’s a special time of year.