Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Imperfect Attendance

It would seem I just can't resist. At least a couple times a year something school-related happens in our lives, prompting me to spill my opinion on anyone distracted enough to read it. It's happened again.

My view of the education system departs from the cultural norm somewhere near the base of the plant stock; that is, while I believe in both public or private schools as workable models for education (as opposed to strictly home-based education), there is much in the system about which I just can't get excited. Maybe our years as a home-schooling family jaded me. So, following another recent thought-provoking episode, and having held back my reaction for a few weeks, I speak.

Our school district - Clovis Unified, of Fresno County - distributes a newspaper several times a year, proclaiming the achievements of students and the successes of teachers, and applauding the winning efforts of administrators. The most recent issue, signalling the end of the academic year, featured the graduating classes of the several high schools in the district. The many valedictorian speeches were included, as well as notable awards and scholarships granted. The photos of fresh grads reveal promise, excitement, confidence.

Now, I'm all for commemorating high school graduation. It's been 27 years for me, but I still remember what a relief and celebration that event was, and I want to affirm any student who attains that rite of passage.

The reason for my reflection is the page in this newspaper devoted to the 12 students in the district who, in 13 years of schooling, missed not a single day of class. That's 2,340 days of school, with not a sick day, no cut classes, no days painfully spent with the doctor or dentist.

Alex and Stuart boogie-boarding in February.
Not a school day, but still fun.
Of course, that's quite the record. Really, it is, and it doesn't happen by accident. At some point those students and their parents made a choice to pursue the goal of perfect attendance. They decided, "This is our value: perfect attendance." And administrators are, of course, pleased to have received all 28,080 funding days those students represent.

But all I can think is, "Those poor kids. They've missed out. They are too serious!" Is it that I'm jealous, knowing we already disqualified our own children in the kindergarten years? Do I dare mention the times we've pulled our kids to enjoy a family day at an amusement park, or a November vacation we were able to take because it was the low season for tourists? What about the day I had my son work with me so he could learn the first elements of my trade, or the few sick days they probably could have survived on campus, but enjoyed the rest and recovery at home?

No, we don't deliberately look for ways to keep our kids from school. We schedule dental appointments for holidays, weekends or after school. We've rarely seen a doctor. And we don't call it a "sick day" if they are not actually sick.

Yet even for an adolescent, school is only a part of their education, not all of it. And if time away with the family means a missed day of math, I'm going to be okay with that. Perfect attendance is an achievement, but not one I could ever be thrilled about. Life is just too interesting to let even school get in the way.

Friday, June 1, 2012


A Season for Everything…

It seems like every month I’m taken by surprise at the turn of the calendar. We all rejoiced at the arrival of Spring, and now Summer is upon us. The fields so quickly managed to turn from barren, to green to brown again. I always thought it a cliché, but it now seems true, that the older I get the more rapidly time seems to pass.

The upside is that God’s creation reminds us never to stay in the same condition. Just as the plants grow, blossom and pass, so too our tasks and ministries, patterns and preferences, need to be constantly ready to flex and change.

The writer of Ecclesiastes said, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Eccl. 3:1).

Over the past year, I and the church I serve have been in a season of transition and preparation. I'm an Interim Pastor, and the church is seeking for the right shepherd-leader to carry pastoral authority and responsibility. It hasn't been the easiest time, but it has been blessed. Seasons bring change, and we need to welcome each one.

Thankfully, the wisdom of God’s design is always in place ahead of time. For example, I’ve been watching a corn field sprout and grow in my daily drive, and have noticed it looks a little different at each pass, as one would expect. Miraculously, God placed within each tiny planted kernel all the resources needed for that little seed to grow into a full stalk and produce multiple ears packed with those sweet kernels of summer goodness. 

And just as God is leading this church through one season to the next, he does the same with each of us. As you look into summer and beyond, will you to embrace a new season in your own life? Perhaps a season of healing by joining a group such as Recovery Discipleship, or a season of ministry by leading a small group or teaching a Sunday School class, or a season of service by getting involved practically in your church.

There is a season for everything – in which season are you?