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Today is the day so many Lake-Lehman students have been waiting for- the last day of school and graduation- two weeks later than originally scheduled.

But the final school day wasn’t pushed back because of a bad winter. It was, as you probably know, due to a teacher’s strike.

Some feel the teachers are at fault. Others feel the administrators are to blame.

I think it doesn’t really matter because the ones who are really suffering are the children. Seniors have less time to prepare for college and the workforce. Undergraduates will have difficulty finding jobs because all of the students already out of school have filled seasonal work and many part-time positions.

Not to mention the weather. I was at Lehman-Jackson Elementary two weeks ago and the kids watched an outdoor program in the 90-degree heat. The next day, the school had class even though there was no power due to a thunderstorm the night before. Administrators had to shorten the final weeks to half days because of the heat. How much could the children have learned in those few hours each day?

Families probably had to miss time shares or maybe they decided to let the kids miss school anyway. Neighborhood children from private schools and those from nearby districts are out playing all day. What kid can focus on academics when his or her friends are having fun?

With no contract still in existence, I think it’s time the teachers and administration sit down and come up with a contract everyone can agree on.  A healthy relationship doesn’t come without compromise, and neither does a healthy learning environment. If the adults can’t get along, what are we teaching our children? To stay mad at people and believe your way is the only way?

Let’s avert another graduation from being held one week before July 4. It’s time for both parties to step up to the plate and come up with something that makes everyone happy, at least to an extent. Do it for the kids. They’re watching you.

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