Here are some of the best - and worst - of the week:
BEST
SCHOOL IS BACK - Although it means a lot more early mornings, homework at night (for both students and parents), and busy weeks, it's good to have school back in session. It was a beautiful summer. Now it's time to hit the books and see minds of children grow.
FALL SPORTS ARE BACK - Our sports pages are suddenly filled with soccer, football, tennis, volleyball and more. Sports, especially at the high school level, are a great place for children to burn their energy but at the same time learn about teamwork, responsibility, fair play and discipline.
WATER CHESTNUT FIGHT - Although another round is set for next Saturday to search for water chestnuts, by all accounts it appears the plant has been stopped from invading Chautauqua Lake. A lot of credit needs to be given to volunteers who searched for the plant and were able to alert officials when it was found.
WORST
SCHOOL CALENDARS - On Tuesday, Fredonia and Ripley started school. On Wednesday, Dunkirk, Brocton, Cassadaga Valley, Gowanda and Westfield started school. On Thursday Silver Creek Central School started classes. Why is it that neighboring school districts can't keep the same calendar? Forget the debate about two weeks off at Easter vs. one week in February and one week in April; we can't even get our area schools to start classes on the same day. The time has come for a master calendar for all area schools to follow. This will make sharing services far more possible. As long as schools set their own calendars, it's impossible for school districts to truly effectively share services and actually save money.
