EDITORIAL: Midway parents' play day
Upon hearing that Midway Independent School District was not giving staff and students Labor Day off, we thought this was an error. After all, today we honor our country’s workers and their societal contributions, and it’s always been celebrated as a holiday here.
All other local districts from Axtell to Moody to Marlin have today off. Why not Midway? But on second thought, we realized that this is really a holiday for the parents.
Party at Lake Waco, anyone?
After all, how often do parents get the day off? Usually, we struggle to find child care for tots who seem to have the most unpredictable set of days off and early releases.
“Bizarre,” “fantastic” and “how wild” are some of the reactions parents had upon hearing that Midway would be in session. Conversations were often followed by daydreaming and unfocused gazes as parents drifted off thinking how to best spend their seven hours and 20 minutes sans little Johnny and Sara.
Of course, there were those who planned to go on with family traditions and vowed to keep their children out. (We are withholding judgment here, but the sentiment has already been expressed.)
But seriously, Midway ISD spokeswoman Traci Marlin gave a solid rationale for holding classes today. Mainly, for the district to have enough academic hours so older students could take final exams before the winter break, it had to forgo this holiday.
“We just needed another day in there,” Marlin said. “No one wanted to lose Labor Day, but it was just the best option.”
We agree. Better that students work through this week, take all their tests early and enjoy their two-week winter break than stress through vacation with finals hanging over their heads.
Thanks for putting the students’ needs first. And thanks to the staff for not balking.
With so much emphasis on students needing to focus, it’s refreshing to hear of educators really focusing on students.
Maybe next year other districts will follow their lead. Then those parents can worry about getting the sand off their feet before they slip into the afternoon carpool lane.
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